Abstract
To examine the control of the production of Hb F containing RBC (F cells), marrow (BM) and blood (PB) mononuclear cells of three healthy males were grown in plasma clots at various Epo concentrations. The number and size of BM CFU-E colonies (at 7 days) and BM and PB BFU-E colonies (at 14 days) were determined. The clots were also incubated with 3H-leucine and the newly synthesized globin chains quantified by carboxymethylcellulose chromatography. The results show that marrow CFU-E and BFU-E are very sensitive to Epo. Half maximal growth is at 0.1-0.25 I.U. Both BM precursors produce Hb A, while Hb F synthesis is below the limits of detection. In contrast, PB BFU-E are less sensitive to Epo. Half maximal growth is at least 0.5 I.U. In addition, they produce 15-20% Hb F. Thus in normal erythropoiesis, BM contains mainly BFU-EA which respond to physiologic Epo concentrations, becoming CFU-EA and finally adult RBC. BFU-EF differentiate minimally in BM at normal Epo concentrations. Instead, they circulate in PB. In anemia, high Epo concentrations stimulate BFU-EF proliferation. F cell production is therefore due to Epo dependent expansion of the BFU-EF pool.
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Nathan, D., Hlllman, D., Alter, B. et al. 637 TWO CLASSES OF HUMAN EKYTHROID BURST FORMING UNITS WITH DIFFERENT RESPONSES TO ERYTHROPOIETIN (EPO): BFU-EA AND BFU-Ef. Pediatr Res 12 (Suppl 4), 470 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197804001-00642
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197804001-00642
