Bone marrow adipocytes and multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma originating from clonal proliferation of plasma cells in the bone marrow is one of the most prevalent hematological malignancies worldwide. The pathogenetic mechanisms of multiple myeloma are far from being elucidated. Nevertheless, it is known that the adipocytes as the prevalent cellular component of bone marrow microenvironment contribute significantly to multiple myeloma growth and progression. The review discloses the recent data on the interactions between bone marrow adipocytes and myeloma cells, hematopoietic stem cells, hematopoietic progenitor cells, mesenchimal stem cells, osteoblasts, osteoclasts, endothelial cells, and cells of immune system. Also, the review places special emphasis on bone marrow adipocyte-produced adipokines, growth factors, cytokines, chemokines, and fatty acids providing the conditions for the preferential growth and migration of malignant plasma cells and contributing to hematopoiesis supression, bone tissue resorption, angiogenesis activation and immunosuppression.