Marrow Adiposity and Hematopoiesis in Aging and Obesity: Exercise as an Intervention

Changes in the bone marrow microenvironment, which accompany aging and obesity, including increased marrow adiposity, can compromise hematopoiesis. Here, we review deleterious shifts in molecular, cellular, and tissue activity and consider the potential of exercise to slow degenerative changes associated with aging and obesity.

While bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) are increased in frequency and myeloid-biased with age, the effect of obesity on HSC proliferation and differentiation remains controversial. HSC from both aged and obese environment have reduced hematopoietic reconstitution capacity following bone marrow transplant. Increased marrow adiposity affects HSC function, causing upregulation of myelopoiesis and downregulation of lymphopoiesis. Exercise, in contrast, can reduce marrow adiposity and restore hematopoiesis. The impact of marrow adiposity on hematopoiesis is determined mainly through correlations. Mechanistic studies are needed to determine a causative relationship between marrow adiposity and declines in hematopoiesis, which could aid in developing treatments for conditions that arise from disruptions in the marrow microenvironment.