FIG. 2.

Common factors shared in osteoblast and adipocyte differentiation. Osteoblasts and adipocytes originate from common progenitor-mesenchymal stem cells. The balance of their differentiation is determined by several common factors, such as PPAR-γ, Wnt, TGF-β, leptin, and estrogen. Adipocytes express and secrete a variety of bioactive peptides, such as estrogen, resistin, leptin, adiponectin, and inflammatory cytokines. Some of these peptides affect human energy homeostasis and may be involved in bone metabolism. Adapted from Reference 15.