Colchicine Suppresses Adipogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Implications for Bone Adiposity Control

TL;DR

Colchicine, a gout medication, reduces fat cell formation in bone marrow stem cells, potentially offering a new way to control bone fat and improve bone health.

Contribution

This study reveals that colchicine suppresses fat cell differentiation in mesenchymal stem cells, possibly through microtubule destabilization.

Findings

Colchicine inhibits adipogenesis and promotes osteoblastogenesis in mesenchymal stem cells.

Both continuous and transient colchicine exposure reduced adipogenic marker gene expression.

STMN1 silencing mimicked colchicine's anti-adipogenic effects, suggesting cytoskeletal involvement.

Abstract

Background: Gout is an inflammatory arthritis associated with increased bone anabolism and a higher risk of ectopic bone formation. Colchicine, used to prevent and treat acute gouty flares, inhibits microtubule polymerization and has been described to promote osteoblastogenesis. In bone disorders such as osteoporosis, disruption of the osteoblast–adipocyte balance contributes to pathology, yet no therapies directly target bone marrow adiposity. Thus, we decided to investigate the impact of colchicine on the osteoblast-adipocyte balance. Methods: C3H10T1/2 mesenchymal stem cells were differentiated to both cell fates in the presence or absence of colchicine. Differentiation was assessed by studying differentiation phenotypes as well as adipocytic and osteoblastic marker genes. Disrupting microtubule homeostasis through stathmin (STMN1) silencing was employed to mimic colchicine effects on differentiation. Proteomic analysis was performed to gain further insight into colchicine’s effects on adipogenesis. Results: Colchicine promoted transcriptional changes consistent with osteoblastogenic commitment and inhibited adipogenesis, as evidenced by reduced intracellular lipid accumulation and downregulation of adipogenic marker genes. These effects were observed following both continuous and transient exposure (median fold change across adipogenic markers 0.41 and 0.59, respectively). Consistent with colchicine-induced microtubule destabilisation, microtubule disruption by STMN1 silencing also suppressed adipogenic differentiation (median fold change = 0.66), suggesting that colchicine’s anti-adipogenic effect may be due to its impact on the cytoskeleton. Conclusions: These findings indicate that colchicine can suppress adipogenic differentiation while favouring osteoblast commitment in mesenchymal stem cells. Although further validation in relevant preclinical models is required, its efficacy following transient exposure supports the exploration of site-specific strategies that limit systemic toxicity.

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