Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Cell Fate Decision to Osteoblast or Adipocyte and Application in Osteoporosis Treatment

Abstract

Osteoporosis is a progressive skeletal disease characterized by decreased bone mass and degraded bone microstructure, which leads to increased bone fragility and risks of bone fracture. Osteoporosis is generally age related and has become a major disease of the world. Uncovering the molecular mechanisms underlying osteoporosis and developing effective prevention and therapy methods has great significance for human health. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells capable of differentiating into osteoblasts, adipocytes, or chondrocytes, and have become the favorite source of cell-based therapy. Evidence shows that during osteoporosis, a shift of the cell differentiation of MSCs to adipocytes rather than osteoblasts partly contributes to osteoporosis. Thus, uncovering the molecular mechanisms of the osteoblast or adipocyte differentiation of MSCs will provide more understanding of MSCs and perhaps new methods of osteoporosis treatment. The MSCs have been applied to both preclinical and clinical studies in osteoporosis treatment. Here, we review the recent advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms regulating osteoblast differentiation and adipocyte differentiation of MSCs and highlight the therapeutic application studies of MSCs in osteoporosis treatment. This will provide researchers with new insights into the development and treatment of osteoporosis.

Combination Therapy With Zoledronic Acid and FES‐Row Training Mitigates Bone Loss in Paralyzed Legs: Results of a Randomized Comparative Clinical Trial

“…Similarly, additional work is needed to clarify the impact of bone–muscle interactions on bone metabolism in response to various interventions, either pharmacological‐ or exercise‐based. Similarly, our findings suggest that bone‐regenerative capacity may be blunted in older individuals, as has been reported in the general population …”

“…Similarly, our findings suggest that bone-regenerative capacity may be blunted in older individuals, as has been reported in the general population. (34)(35)(36) To our knowledge, this is the first study to detail the effects of combining bisphosphonate therapy with a bone-forming stimulus, such as FES-rowing, on bone following SCI. ZA is an antiresorptive therapy and FES-rowing is thought to be an osteogenic stimulus.…”

The Expression Profile of Dental Pulp-Derived Stromal Cells Supports Their Limited Capacity to Differentiate into Adipogenic Cells

“…The WNT signalling pathway regulates MSC maintenance, proliferation, fate determination and preadipocyte differentiation [13]. Additionally, it has been demonstrated that both canonical and noncanonical BMP signalling pathways are important in determining MSC differentiation [14]. It is thus essential to determine the expression of the components of these pathways in undifferentiated DPSCs.…”

Lysophosphatidic acid receptor 4 regulates osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of progenitor cells via inactivation of RhoA/ROCK1/β-catenin signaling

“…adipocyte, lysophosphatidic acid receptor 4, osteoblast, ras homolog family member a, rhoassociated kinases 1, β-catenin 1 | INTRODUCTION As a common progenitor, the lineage commitment of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) plays an essential role in the maintenance of bone homeostasis. 1,2 Although MSCs are capable of differentiating into a variety of cell types, the competitive commitment of MSCs to adipocytes and osteoblasts has been specially concerned. 1,2 The imbalance between osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation is often found in many human diseases, such as osteoporosis and obesity.…”

“…1,2 Although MSCs are capable of differentiating into a variety of cell types, the competitive commitment of MSCs to adipocytes and osteoblasts has been specially concerned. 1,2 The imbalance between osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation is often found in many human diseases, such as osteoporosis and obesity. 3,4 Therefore, it is important to elucidate the mechanisms that control the balance between osteoblasts and adipocytes.…”