Lactylation-related gene AKR1A1 contributes to osteoporosis via metabolic–immune regulation: evidence from multi-omics integration, single-cell transcriptomics, and in vitro validation

Objective: This study aimed to systematically identify key differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with lysine lactylation in osteoporosis and to explore their potential roles in disease pathogenesis from a dual perspective of metabolic and immune regulation, thereby providing a theoretical basis for targeted therapeutic strategies. Methods: experiments were performed using RAW264.7 macrophages treated with lactate and osteoporotic serum, and gene expression and lactylation levels were validated via qPCR, Western blot, and co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP). Results: expression and lactylation levels were significantly upregulated under combined lactate and osteoporotic serum treatment, suggesting a synergistic enhancement effect. Conclusion: signaling pathway, it mediates communication between monocytes and macrophages, and may serve as a novel biomarker and therapeutic target for early diagnosis and intervention in osteoporosis.