ObjectiveTo study the effects of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on the proliferation and differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs). MethodshBMSCs at passage 4 were divided into 4 groups according to different culture conditions:cells were treated with complete medium (α-MEM containing 10%FBS, group A), with complete medium containing 10 ng/mL LIF (group B), with complete medium containing 10 ng/mL bFGF (group C), and with complete medium containing 10 ng/mL LIF and 10 ng/mL bFGF (group D). The growth curves of hBMSCs at passage 4 in different groups were assayed by cell counting kit 8; cellular morphologic changes were observed under inverted phase contrast microscope; the surface markers of hBMSCs at passage 8 including CD44, CD90, CD19, and CD34 were detected by flow cytometry. ResultsThe cell growth curves of each group were similar to the S-shape; the cell proliferation rates in 4 groups were in sequence of group D > group C > group B > group A. Obvious senescence and differentiation were observed very early in group A, cells in group B maintained good cellular morphology at the early stage, with slow proliferation and late senescence; a few cells in group C differentiated into nerve-like cells, with quick proliferation; and the cells in group D grew quickly and maintained cellular morphology of hBMSCs. The expressions of CD44 and CD90 in groups A and C at passage 8 cells were lower than those of groups B and D; the expressions of CD19 and CD34 were negative in 4 groups, exhibiting no obvious difference between groups. ConclusionLIF combined with bFGF can not only maintain multiple differentiation potential of hBMSCs, but also promote proliferation of hBMSCs.