Association of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Communication with Key Genes COL1A1 and CD36 in Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is the most common metabolic bone disorder, characterized by reduced bone mass and increased fracture risk due to decreased bone formation and heightened resorption. This study investigates the osteo-immunology microenvironment in osteoporosis using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and bulk transcriptomics analysis. We analyzed 7,842 single cells from human femoral head samples and identified key regulator genes in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) relevant to osteoporosis. Our study highlights the pivotal role of oxidative stress in disease pathology, particularly focusing on the interactions between reactive oxygen species (ROS), TNF signaling, and MSCs. Through integrative analysis, we identified the TNF pathway and MSCs as primary research foci, leading to the identification of two critical genes: COL1A1 and CD36. COL1A1, essential for collagen biosynthesis, and CD36, a versatile receptor involved in lipid metabolism and inflammation, were validated through both expression analysis and qPCR experiments. These findings suggest that COL1A1 and CD36 are significant in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis, providing novel targets for therapeutic intervention and further research. Despite limitations including small sample sizes and reliance on mouse models, this study offers insightful contributions to understanding the molecular mechanisms in osteoporosis.