miR-143 negatively regulated the osteogenic differentiation of hADSCs. hADSCs were transfected with agomir-143, antagomir-143 or the corresponding NC (100 nM) for 16 h. The medium was then replaced with odM, and hADSCs were continuously cultured for 14 days. (A) miR-143 expression was assessed by RT-qPCR. (B) Osteogenic differentiation was determined by Alizarin Red S staining and (C) ALP activity was assessed by colorimetric assay on day 14 post-induction. Magnification, ×200. (D) Runx2, (E) BSP, (F) OPN and (G) osteocalcin mRNA levels were assessed by RT-qPCR analysis on day 14 post-induction. Data represent the mean ± standard deviation of three independent experiments. **P<0.01 and ##P<0.01. miR, microRNA; hADSCs, human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells; NC, negative control; odM, osteogenic differentiation medium; ALP, alkaline phosphatase; Runx2, Runt-related transcription factor-2; BSP, bone sialoprotein; OPN, osteopontin; RT-qPCR, reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction.