The changing balance between osteoblastogenesis and adipogenesis in aging and its impact on hematopoiesis

Osteoblasts (OBs) and adipocytes (APs) share a common mesenchymal ancestor. It is now clear that mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) maturation along the OB lineage comes at the expense of adipogenesis and vice versa. During aging, this balance increasingly favors the formation of APs. Hematopoiesis also slowly declines during the aging process. The role of OB lineage cells in hematopoiesis has been studied, but less is known about how APs regulate hematopoiesis. A few studies have demonstrated a negative relationship between APs and hematopoiesis; however, there is also evidence that brown adipose tissue (BAT) may promote hematopoiesis. This review will examine the current knowledge of how adipogenesis and osteogenesis change with aging and the implications of this changing environment on hematopoeisis.