Bone Marrow Adipocytes Induce Metabolic Reprogramming of Multiple Myeloma Cells

Obesity-induced increases in bone marrow adipocyte (BMAd) numbers and volume are associated with an increased risk of multiple myeloma (MM). We analyzed gene expression from previously published public datasets and found that 11 out of 47 genes associated with fatty acid (FA) metabolism showed increasing trend from MGUS (monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance), MM, to plasma cell leukemia. These genes included ACC1, the first and rate-limiting step of de novo fatty acid biosynthesis and ECHS1, the second step of the mitochondrial fatty acid beta-oxidation pathway. We have previously shown that adipocytes support the growth of MM cells. However, the molecular mechanisms of interaction between MM cells and BMAd remain largely unknown. Here, we hypothesize that BMAd support MM cells through metabolic reprogramming.