Objective To explore the osteogenic potential of cervical intervertebral disc fibroblasts in vitro, to investigate the regulatory factors of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2(rhBMP-2) and tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α) on osteogenic phenotype of fibroblasts and to discuss the condition that facilitates osteogenesis of fibroblasts. Methods Theannulus fibroblasts cell lines of experiment goats were established in vitro and the biologicspecificity was found. According to different medias, 4 groups were included in this experiment: control group, TNF-α group ( 50 U/ml TNF-α), rhBMP-2 group (0.1 μg/ml rhBMP-2) and TNF-α+rhBMP-2 group (50 U/ml TNF-α+0.1 μg/ml rhBMP-2). Thefibroblasts were incubated in the media for about 3 weeks,and then the markers for osteogenic features were investigated by biochemistry, histochemistry observations. Results rhBMP-2 and TNF-α had no effect on the proliferation of fibroblasts from the experiment goats. rhBMP-2 or TNF-α could stimulate fibroblasts to secrete alkaline phosphatase and collagen type Ⅰ. The combined use of rhBMP-2 and TNF-α or the single use of rhBMP-2 could make fibroblasts to secrete osteocalin and the morphological changes of the fibroblasts were very obvious. Histochemical study of the nodules with specific new bone labeler(Alizarin red S) revealed positive reaction, denoting that the nodules produced by the fibroblasts werebone tissues. There was statistically significant difference(Plt;0.05) inALP activity between 3 experimental groups and control group and in secretion of osteocalcin between rhBMP-2 group, TNF-α+rhBMP-2 group and control group. Conclusion The results point out clearly that rhBMP-2 can induce theosteogenic potential of annulus fibroblasts in vitro.