Abstract
Bone marrow adipose tissue (MAT) is formed by the accumulation of adipocytes in the bone marrow cavity. Previously, the function of MAT is mainly considered to be filled with bone marrow cavity for the mechanical support. However, with the in-depth study of MAT, it has been gradually understood that MAT is not only a part of the bone marrow microenvironment, may also be a new endocrine organ . The main component of bone marrow adipocytes (BMA) plays a regulatory role in bone marrow and systemic metabolism through the autocrine and paracrine secretion of adiponectin, leptin, interleukin-6, and a series of cytokines. Though its biological characteristics are somewhat similar with white fat adipose tissue(WAT) and brown adipose tissue(BAT), there are some significant differences, so MAT is thought to be a special adipose tissue. MAT is also involved in the development of hematological diseases, metabolic diseases, degenerative diseases, and may affect their outcomes. MAT may be the auxiliary diagnostic criteria and treatment targets of such diseases. This article will review the MAT′s own biological characteristics, the differences and associations among three types of adipose tissue and the link between MAT and the diseases, which aims to explore the new research direction through the profound understanding of MAT. (Chin J Endocrinol Metab, 2017, 33: 162-166) Key words: Bone marrow adipose tissue; White adipose tissue; Brown adipose tissue; Cytokines; Bone remodelling
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