Pluripotent mesenchymal cells form a population of precursors to a variety of cell types,
including osteoblasts and adipocytes. Aging tilts the balance in favor of adipocyte
differentiation at the expense of osteoblast differentiation, resulting in reduced bone
formation and osteopenic disorders, including osteoporosis, in humans and animals.
Understanding the mechanisms involved in causing this apparent shift in differentiation and
identifying factors that stimulate osteoblast formation while inhibiting adipogenesis are of …