Cliff Rosen, MD
Faculty Scientist III
Center for Molecular Medicine

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Rosen Lab

Understanding the metabolic and biochemical fate of marrow stromal cells as progenitor osteoblasts and adipocytes.

The central theme of the Rosen Laboratory is understanding the metabolic and biochemical fate of marrow stromal cells as progenitor osteoblasts and/or adipocytes. In vivo, this translates into defining the relationship between marrow adipogenesis and osteoblastogenesis, and the interactions between whole body and skeletal metabolism. We use age, genetic, environmental, diet, and pharmacologic manipulations in order to understand the complex regulation of bone remodeling. We use a variety of techniques to address our research questions including Faxitron imaging, NMR, microCT, MRI, osmium tetroxide staining, histomorphometry, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, confocal microscopy, Seahorse extracellular flux analysis, and metabolic in vivo studies using Promethion technology.

The lab has strong collaborative work with internal and external laboratories and hospitals world-wide involving sophisticated primary culturing of osteoblast, osteoclasts, osteocytes, and adipocytes. We combine our in vivo observations with in vitro cell culture models in order to understand the mechanisms responsible for bone and fat interactions.

Fig 1: Fluorescence microscopy of murine preosteoblasts.

Fig 2: Three-dimensional microCT of the distal femur trabecular bone.

Fig 3: MicroCT image of osmium-tetroxide stained marrow adipose tissue.

Fig 4: Goldner’s Trichrome stained of a femur

Fig 5: Trabeculae were labeled with calcein and alizarin red

Fig 6: Calcein stained calvarial organ culture.

Fig 7: TRAP stained osteoclasts

Fig 8: H&E stained of femur marrow compartment with white adipocyte ghosts.

Fig 9: Lipid droplets in adipocytes of an in vitro culture from bone marrow stromal cells

Fig 10: Oil Red O stained lipid droplets in adipocytes generated from bone marrow stromal cells