Aims: To study the potential impact of ABCA1 on the function of the placenta. Main methods: Trophoblasts and macrophages were isolated from the placenta with enzymatic digestion; Immunofluorescence assay was used to detect the location of ABCA1 in cells; RT-PCR and Western-blot were used to detect the expression of ABCA1; The cholesterol efflux assays of primary trophoblasts was detected by Amplex Red cholesterol assay kit (Invitrogen); Inflammatory factor secretion from primary macrophages was detected by Elisa. Key findings: ABCA1 was mainly located on trophoblast membranes. Decreased ABCA1 expression in trophoblasts reduced the cholesterol efflux of trophoblasts (P < 0.01). while increased ABCA1 expression in trophoblasts reduced the cholesterol efflux of trophoblasts (P < 0.05). ABCA1 was uniformly expressed on the cell membrane, cytoplasm, and nucleus of macrophages. Decreased ABCA1 expression in macrophages, increased inflammatory factors but reduced IL-10 (P < 0.01). While increased ABCA1 expression in macrophages, reduced inflammatory factors but increased IL-10 (P < 0.01). Significance: ABCA1 may be a potential target for the prevention of gestation diseases.