Bone Marrow Adipose Tissue and Skeletal Health

Purpose of Review

To summarize and discuss recent progress and novel signaling mechanisms relevant to bone marrow adipocyte formation and its physiological/pathophysiological implications for bone remodeling.

Recent Findings

Skeletal remodeling is a coordinated process entailing removal of old bone and formation of new bone. Several bone loss disorders such as osteoporosis are commonly associated with increased bone marrow adipose tissue. Experimental and clinical evidence supports that a reduction in osteoblastogenesis from mesenchymal stem cells at the expense of adipogenesis, as well as the deleterious effects of adipocyte-derived signaling, contributes to the etiology of osteoporosis as well as bone loss associated with aging, diabetes mellitus, post-menopause, and chronic drug therapy. However, this view is challenged by findings indicating that, in some contexts, bone marrow adipose tissue may have a beneficial impact on skeletal health.

Summary

Further research is needed to better define the role of marrow adipocytes in bone physiology/pathophysiology and to determine the therapeutic potential of manipulating mesenchymal stem cell differentiation.