Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Haemopoietic stem cell
Immature BFU-E
Mature BFU-E
CFU-E
EPO-dependent
cells
Proerythroblast
Basophilic erythroblast
Polychromatophilic erythroblast
Reticulocyte
Erythrocyte
Figure 10.4
Stages in the differentiation of haemopoietic stem cells, yielding mature erythrocytes. The
EPO-sensitive cells are indicated. Each cell undergoes proliferation as well as differentiation; thus, greater
numbers of the more highly differentiated daughter cells are produced. The proliferation phase ends at the
reticulocyte stage; each reticulocyte matures over a 2-day period, yielding a single mature erythrocyte
be/are responsive to administration of exogenous EPO. The prevalence of anaemia, and the
medical complications that ensue, prompts tremendous therapeutic interest in this haemopoietic
growth factor. EPO has been approved for use to treat various forms of anaemia (Table 10.2). It
was the fi rst therapeutic protein produced by genetic engineering whose annual sales value topped
US$1 billion. Current combined annual sales value of commercialized recombinant EPO products
is now close to US$10 billion.
Table 10.7
Diseases (and other medical conditions) for which
anaemia is one frequently observed symptom
Renal failure
Rheumatoid arthritis
Cancer
AIDS
Infections
Bone marrow transplantation
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