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Review
. 2023 May;36(3):894-907.
doi: 10.1007/s13577-023-00872-z. Epub 2023 Feb 9.

Recent updates of stem cell-based erythropoiesis

Heeju Han  1   2 , Yeri Alice Rim  3 , Ji Hyeon Ju  4   5
Affiliations
Review

Recent updates of stem cell-based erythropoiesis

Heeju Han et al. Hum Cell. 2023 May.

Abstract

Blood transfusions are now an essential part of modern medicine. Transfusable red blood cells (RBCs) are employed in various therapeutic strategies; however, the processes of blood donation, collection, and administration still involve many limitations. Notably, a lack of donors, the risk of transfusion-transmitted disease, and recent pandemics such as COVID-19 have prompted us to search for alternative therapeutics to replace this resource. Originally, RBC production was attempted via the ex vivo differentiation of stem cells. However, a more approachable and effective cell source is now required for broader applications. As a viable alternative, pluripotent stem cells have been actively used in recent research. In this review, we discuss the basic concepts related to erythropoiesis, as well as early research using hematopoietic stem cells ex vivo, and discuss the current trend of in vitro erythropoiesis using human-induced pluripotent stem cells.

Keywords: Blood; Erythropoiesis; Hematopoietic stem cell; Induced pluripotent stem cell; Red blood cell.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Stages and cell types of in vivo erythropoiesis from hematopoietic stem cells. HSC hematopoietic stem cell, BFU-E burst-forming unit erythroid, CFU-E colony-forming unit erythroid, Pro-E proerythroblast, Baso-E basophilic erythroblast, Poly-E polychromatic erythroblast, Ortho-E orthochromatic erythroblast
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Summary of erythrocyte differentiation methods using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC). Human iPSCs were differentiated into hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) using three different protocols. 2D culture used a monolayer system, 3D culture used spin-formed EBs, and co-culture used a feeder cell such as OP9 line. iPSC-derived HSCs were matured into erythrocytes in a suspension culture system. iPSC induced pluripotent stem cell, EB embryoid body, HSC hematopoietic stem cell, HEP hematoendothelial progenitor, RBC red blood cell
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Schematic of erythroblastic islands in bone marrow. Cells from proerythroblasts to reticulocytes are attached to central macrophages, which supply the critical ingredients required for differentiation. Reticulocytes migrate to the bloodstream and undergo the final process to differentiation into erythrocytes or red blood cells. Pro-E proerythroblast, Baso-E basophilic erythroblast, Poly-E polychromatic erythroblast, Ortho-E orthochromatic erythroblast
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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