MOLECULAR AND CELL BIOLOGIC ASPECTS OF ERYTHROPOIESIS IN LONG-TERM BONE-MARROW CULTURES

Abstract

In long-term marrow cultures, proliferation and differentiation of hemopoietic stem cells occurs for several months. Normally, only the most primitive erythroid progenitor cells (the BFU-E) are produced. Following treatment with anemic mouse serum (AMS) or normal mouse serum plus erythropoietin, the BFU-E mature into CFU-E [mature erythroid progenitor], which then go to produce mature nonnucleated red cells. This development is associated with the production of adult type Hb. Erythropoiesis and granulopoiesis occur in association with discrete cellular elements of the adherent cell layer in the long-term culture. Following treatment with AMS, erythropoiesis is enhanced while granulopoiesis is depressed, with no apparent competition at the stem cell or progenitor cell level.