Defects in osteoblast function but no changes in long-term repopulating potential of hematopoietic stem cells in a mouse chronic inflammatory arthritis model

Recent studies support the notion that there is an intricate relationship between hematopoiesis and bone homeostasis in normal steady states. Using mice undergoing chronic inflammatory arthritis, we investigated the relationship between hematopoiesis and bone homeostasis in pathologic conditions. We demonstrate that mice undergoing chronic inflammatory arthritis displayed osteoporosis resulting from a severe defect in osteoblast function. Despite the defective osteoblast function, however, the hematopoietic stem cells from these mice exhibited normal properties in either long-term repopulation or cell cycling. Therefore, the boneforming capacity of osteoblasts is distinct from their ability to maintain hematopoietic stem cells in chronic in-flammatory conditions.