Objective To investigate whether mTOR/p70S6K signal was activated in peripheral T lymphocytes of the coronary heart disease (CHD) patients and to investigate its possible role in the pathogenesis of coronary atherosclerosis. Methods The mRNA expressions of mTOR andp70S6K were detected by RT-PCR and protein expressions of mTOR, p70S6K and phosphorylated-p70S6K (p-p70S6K) were detected by Western blot assay in T cells isolated from peripheral blood of the CHD patients (including AMI, UAP, SAP) and the CPS patients. Results Levels of mTOR and p-p70S6K were significantly enhanced in the AMI and UAP groups as compared with those in the SAP and CPS groups (P < 0.05, respectively). The mRNA expressions of mTOR and p70S6K were significantly increased in the AMI and UAP groups as compared with those in the SAP and CPS groups (P < 0.05). Conclusion The mTOR/p70S6K pathway is activated in the peripheral T lymphocytes of CHD patients with AMI and UAP , which may participate in the pathological process of coronary atherosclerosis.