To investigate the mechanism and the significance of TGF beta in modulating the expression of Platelet-Derived Growth Factor Receptor-alpha (PDGFR-alpha) in human osteoblasts.The osteoblasts were isolated from human fetal calvaria. The percentage of cell increase (PCI) in every 4 hours was calculated to demonstrate the proliferation of osteoblasts affected by PDGF-AA and TGF beta. The osteoblasts were cultured with TGF beta for 24 hours and with PDGF-AA for another 24 hours, and the cells proliferation was shown by PCI too. The osteoblasts were cultured with TGF beta for 24 h, and the PDGFR-alpha of the cells were measured by immunofluorescent analysis.PCI was increased by 48.2% and 22.4% after PDGF-AA and TGF beta were added into the medium for 24 hours respectively (P < 0.05), and PCI decreased after the removal of the two cytokines. Preincubated with TGF beta for 24 hours and then stimulated with PDGF-AA, PCI grew slowly. TGF beta downregulated the expression of the PDGFR-alpha.TGF beta can downregulate the mitogenesis of PDGF-AA by lowering the number of PDGFR-alpha.