Exploring the molecular mechanisms that regulate the osteogenesis of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) will bring us more efficient methods for improving the treatment of bone-related diseases. In this study, we analyzed the effects of miR-31 on the osteogenesis of hMSCs. The overexpression of miR-31 repressed the osteogenesis of hMSCs, whereas the downregulation enhanced this process. SATB2 was testified to be a direct target of miR-31, and its effects on the osteogenesis were also described. Most importantly, the knockdown of SATB2 attenuated miR-31's osteogenic effects. Taken together, our findings suggest that miR-31 regulates the osteogenesis of hMSCs by targeting SATB2. (C) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.