Parathyroid hormone (PTH), a new effective treatment for osteoporosis patients which promotes the anabolic effect
in vivo, can enhance the differentiation of osteoblasts derived from the human skin-derived precursor cells (hSKPs) in vitro
culture. This research investigated the effects of PTH by studying the gene expressions and other markers of osteoblast
differentiation along with the induction of hSKPs to osteoblast in two experiment groups, i.e. the osteogenic induction medium
(OM) only and the OM plus PTH (OM + PTH). The results of each type were compared between these two groups. Both
groups expressed the Cbfa1 gene, a regulator of osteoblasts and also one of the most osteoblast specific genes. The findings
were that the OM + PTH group showed more intense alkaline phosphatase staining than the other. The gene expressions of
protein showing the mature osteoblasts like osteocalcin (OCN) and bone sialoprotein (BSP) in the OM + PTH group
expressed higher and faster (Day 14) than the OM group. Moreover, the gene expression of osteoprotegerin (OPG) possessing
the protein produced by the mature osteoblasts showed a higher level in the OM + PTH group on the same day as OCN
and BSP occurred. This protein performs a function in inhibiting osteoclast maturation. The present study found that PTH
enhanced the differentiation of osteoblasts derived from hSKPs by promoting the maturation of osteoblasts in vitro. It possibly
concerns with the anabolic effect of PTH in a treatment for osteoporosis patients. Additionally, hSKPs are the interesting
sources for osteoporosis treatments when combining with PTH.

Keywords: Skin-derived precursors cell (SKPs), Stem cell, Parathyroid hormone (PTH), Osteoblast, Osteoblast differentiation