Publication:

The role of bone marrow adiposity in rheumatoid arthritis pathogenesis

Bone marrow adiposity (BMA) has historically been thought of as a passive energy reserve in the medullary cavity, new research indicates that it is actually a dynamic endocrine organ that affects immunological responses, bone remodeling, and hematopoiesis. Changes in BMA composition and behavior have been increasingly identified in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an autoimmune disorder marked by joint damage and synovial inflammation. Immune dysregulation, decreased osteoblastogenesis, and osteoclast activation may be caused by dysregulated adipokine production, changed lipid metabolism, and compromised bone marrow microenvironment function. The physiological function of BMA, its changes in RA, and the mechanisms relating marrow fat to joint pathogenesis are all summarized in this paper. In addition, we go over cutting-edge imaging techniques for measuring BMA in vivo, provide an overview of clinical data regarding its involvement in the course of the disease, and investigate possible treatment approaches that target BMA modulation to enhance muscles and joints outcomes in RA. Gaining insight into this little-known facet of RA pathophysiology may pave the way for the development of biomarkers and focused therapeutic approaches.