We examined the effect of magnetic force on differentiation of cultured human osteoblasts. Magnetic microparticles (MPs) were introduced into the cytoplasm of a human osteoblast cell line and the cells were cultured in a magnetic field (MF) in group MP-MF. Three groups of controls were used: cells without MPs were cultured out of MF (group C), cells without MPs were cultured in MF (group MF), and cells with MPs were cultured out of MF (group MP). The cells in group MP-MF became larger and were elongated along the axis of the magnetic poles. Appearance of alkaline phosphatase (AlPase) activity, formation of bone nodules, and calcium deposition were accelerated depending on the intensity of the magnetic field. It takes longer culture in the other three groups to exhibit these changes. Core-binding factor A1 (Cbfa1: transcription factor for osteoblast differentiation) and osteocalcin (a bone-matrix protein involved in controlling osteogenesis) were expressed earlier or stronger in group MP-MF than the other groups. Then we compared phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) between group MP-MF and group C. Phosphorylation of p38(MAPK) (p38) was increased in group MP-MF, while total p38 as well as total and phosphorylated forms of MAPK/ERK 1/2 and SAPK/JNK were not changed between the two groups. When a p38 inhibitor, SB 203580, was added to the culture medium in group C, AlPase activity, formation of bone nodules, and calcium deposits were completely inhibited. On the other hand, they were inhibited only partially by a MAPK/ERK 1/2 inhibitor, U-0126. Based on these results, it is concluded that (1) osteoblast differentiation is accelerated by a magnetic force, (2) this acceleration is mainly attributed to the activation of p38 phosphorylation, and (3) the stimulus induced by a magnetic field offers a new approach to osteoblast differentiation. (C) 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.