Objective To investigate the effect of interferon-α (IFN-α) on the migration of human brain vascular adventitial fibroblasts (VAFs). Methods VAFs were cultured in presence or absence of 2000 kU/L IFN-α for 24h. VAFs migration was investigated by cell scratch assay and counted by Transwell chamber test. The mRNA and protein expression of intreferon-inducible protein 16 were detected by semiquantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting. Results IFN-α treatment resulted in a reduce in cell migration and enhanced expression of intreferon-inducible protein 16 at mRNA and protein levels in VAFs. Conclusion IFN-α may inhibit the migration capacity of VAFs via up-regulating the expression of intreferon-inducible protein 16.