Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 27, 2026
09:07
A Human Bone Marrow 3D Model to Investigate the Dynamics and Interactions Between Resident Cells in Physiological or Tumoral Contexts
Published on: December 16, 2022
Red bone marrow hosts metabolically active anucleate adipocytes that support hematopoiesis
Sauyeun Shin1, Marine Hernandez1, Stéphanie Dauvillier1
1Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale (IPBS), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse, France; Equipe labellisée par la Ligue Contre le Cancer, Villejuif, France.
Cell Reports
|June 25, 2026
Summary
Human bone marrow adipocytes (BMAds) have distinct characteristics, including being anucleate but metabolically active. These regulatory BMAds (rBMAds) secrete factors supporting hematopoiesis, redefining their role in the bone marrow niche.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Hematology
- Metabolic Research
Background:
- Bone marrow adipocytes (BMAds) are crucial for bone turnover and hematopoiesis.
- Two rodent BMAd types exist: constitutive (cBMAds) and regulatory (rBMAds).
- Regulatory BMAds (rBMAds) are poorly understood due to scarcity in rodents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a high-yield method for isolating human rBMAds.
- To characterize the structure, proteomic, lipidomic, and functional properties of human rBMAds.
- To elucidate the role of human rBMAds in the bone marrow niche.
Main Methods:
- High-yield isolation of human rBMAds.
- Structural, proteomic, and lipidomic analyses.
- In vitro functional assays assessing hematopoietic support.
Main Results:
- Human rBMAds are anucleate but retain organelles and metabolic activity (lipid and glucose).
- Unlike rodent rBMAds, human rBMAds lack lipolytic activity.
- Human rBMAds secrete factors that support hematopoiesis in vitro.
Conclusions:
- Human rBMAds are metabolically active, anucleate cells distinct from rodent counterparts.
- Human rBMAds actively contribute to hematopoiesis by secreting supportive factors.
- These findings expand the understanding of BMAd diversity and function in humans.
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