Objective To investigate the effect of direct intercell contact on the bone mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)differentiate into nucleus pulposus cells(NPs)when cocultured with NPs in constant magnetic field.Methods The primary NPs labeled by DAP1 were cocultured with the 3 rd generation of MSCs through direct and indirect intercell contact in the presence or absence of constant magnetic field(0.05,0.10,0.50 and 1.00 mT,respectively). Observation of morphological changes was performed every 24 hours.The method of MTT was employed to evaluate the level of proliferation.The gene expression of collagen Ⅱ,Sox-9 and Aggrecan was measured by using RT-PCR. Results MSCs cocultured with direct intercell contact with the NPs rounded up and presented a round ring-like structure appearance.The expression of marker genes including Collagen type Ⅱ,Aggrecan and Sox-9 were significantly increased when cells cocultured in constant magnetic field of 0.05 mT compared with those without constant magnetic field(P＜0.05).There were no significantly changes with regard to the expression of the above genes in 0.10 mT field(P＞0.05).The growth of NP-like cells was suppressed when the intensity of magnetic field was higher than 0.10 mT(P＜0.05).Conclusion It is suggested that 0.05 mT constant magnetic field and direct intercell contact facilitate differentiation of MSCs into NPs.