GPx3 marks adipocyte lineage commitment in bone marrow stromal cells

Abstract Background Bone marrow adipose tissue (BMAT) plays an essential role in skeletal health and systemic metabolism, particularly under conditions of ageing and osteoporosis. Despite increasing recognition of BMAT as an active endocrine organ, the molecular mechanisms underlying its formation a...

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Main Authors: Zhongxiang Wang, Yangyang Hu, Mao Li, Xiaojun Chen, Chengyu Zhou, Zhiyang Xu, Kai Chen, Lichuang Wu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-05-01
Series:Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-025-05908-8
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author Zhongxiang Wang
Yangyang Hu
Mao Li
Xiaojun Chen
Chengyu Zhou
Zhiyang Xu
Kai Chen
Lichuang Wu
author_facet Zhongxiang Wang
Yangyang Hu
Mao Li
Xiaojun Chen
Chengyu Zhou
Zhiyang Xu
Kai Chen
Lichuang Wu
author_sort Zhongxiang Wang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Bone marrow adipose tissue (BMAT) plays an essential role in skeletal health and systemic metabolism, particularly under conditions of ageing and osteoporosis. Despite increasing recognition of BMAT as an active endocrine organ, the molecular mechanisms underlying its formation and expansion remain incompletely understood. Methods We conducted a transcriptomic re-analysis of publicly available datasets focused on the adipogenic differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs). Differential gene expression and pathway enrichment analyses were performed to identify key molecular changes. Validation was conducted at both the transcript and protein levels. Furthermore, re-analysis of single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data was employed to determine the cell type–specific expression of candidate genes within the bone marrow. Functional assays using RNA interference were carried out to investigate the role of glutathione peroxidase 3 (GPx3) in adipogenesis. Results Our analysis revealed a consistent activation of oxidative stress-related pathways during adipogenic differentiation. Among the upregulated antioxidant enzymes, GPx3 was selectively increased during adipogenic—but not osteogenic—differentiation. This pattern was validated at both mRNA and protein levels in vitro. scRNA-seq analysis showed that GPx3 expression is predominantly localized in BMSCs and adipocytes, with reduced expression observed in aged mice, corresponding to elevated levels of adipocyte-related genes. In vitro functional experiments demonstrated that GPx3 knockdown significantly promoted adipogenic differentiation of BMSCs. Conclusion These findings indicate that GPx3 is closely associated with adipocyte lineage commitment within the bone marrow microenvironment and may serve as a key modulator of BMSC fate. This study underscores the potential role of antioxidant enzymes such as GPx3 in the regulation of age-related bone-fat imbalance and highlights their relevance in metabolic bone disorders.
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spelling doaj-art-394e122af1954c8d96ff5b56c00edf8c2025-08-20T03:48:19ZengBMCJournal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research1749-799X2025-05-0120111210.1186/s13018-025-05908-8GPx3 marks adipocyte lineage commitment in bone marrow stromal cellsZhongxiang Wang0Yangyang Hu1Mao Li2Xiaojun Chen3Chengyu Zhou4Zhiyang Xu5Kai Chen6Lichuang Wu7Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical UniversityDepartment of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical UniversityDepartment of Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical UniversitySchool of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Western AustraliaDepartment of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical UniversityThe First Clinical School, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical UniversitySchool of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Western AustraliaDepartment of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical UniversityAbstract Background Bone marrow adipose tissue (BMAT) plays an essential role in skeletal health and systemic metabolism, particularly under conditions of ageing and osteoporosis. Despite increasing recognition of BMAT as an active endocrine organ, the molecular mechanisms underlying its formation and expansion remain incompletely understood. Methods We conducted a transcriptomic re-analysis of publicly available datasets focused on the adipogenic differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs). Differential gene expression and pathway enrichment analyses were performed to identify key molecular changes. Validation was conducted at both the transcript and protein levels. Furthermore, re-analysis of single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data was employed to determine the cell type–specific expression of candidate genes within the bone marrow. Functional assays using RNA interference were carried out to investigate the role of glutathione peroxidase 3 (GPx3) in adipogenesis. Results Our analysis revealed a consistent activation of oxidative stress-related pathways during adipogenic differentiation. Among the upregulated antioxidant enzymes, GPx3 was selectively increased during adipogenic—but not osteogenic—differentiation. This pattern was validated at both mRNA and protein levels in vitro. scRNA-seq analysis showed that GPx3 expression is predominantly localized in BMSCs and adipocytes, with reduced expression observed in aged mice, corresponding to elevated levels of adipocyte-related genes. In vitro functional experiments demonstrated that GPx3 knockdown significantly promoted adipogenic differentiation of BMSCs. Conclusion These findings indicate that GPx3 is closely associated with adipocyte lineage commitment within the bone marrow microenvironment and may serve as a key modulator of BMSC fate. This study underscores the potential role of antioxidant enzymes such as GPx3 in the regulation of age-related bone-fat imbalance and highlights their relevance in metabolic bone disorders.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-025-05908-8GPx3ROSBone marrow adipose tissueBone marrow stromal cells
spellingShingle Zhongxiang Wang
Yangyang Hu
Mao Li
Xiaojun Chen
Chengyu Zhou
Zhiyang Xu
Kai Chen
Lichuang Wu
GPx3 marks adipocyte lineage commitment in bone marrow stromal cells
Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research
GPx3
ROS
Bone marrow adipose tissue
Bone marrow stromal cells
title GPx3 marks adipocyte lineage commitment in bone marrow stromal cells
title_full GPx3 marks adipocyte lineage commitment in bone marrow stromal cells
title_fullStr GPx3 marks adipocyte lineage commitment in bone marrow stromal cells
title_full_unstemmed GPx3 marks adipocyte lineage commitment in bone marrow stromal cells
title_short GPx3 marks adipocyte lineage commitment in bone marrow stromal cells
title_sort gpx3 marks adipocyte lineage commitment in bone marrow stromal cells
topic GPx3
ROS
Bone marrow adipose tissue
Bone marrow stromal cells
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-025-05908-8
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