Erythropoiesis: insights from a genomic perspective

Abstract

Erythropoiesis, the process underlying the production of red blood cells, which are essential for oxygen transport, involves the development of hematopoietic stem cells into mature red blood cells. This review focuses on the critical roles of transcription factors and epigenetic mechanisms in modulating gene expression critical for erythroid differentiation. It emphasizes the significance of chromatin remodeling in ensuring gene accessibility, a key factor for the orderly progression of erythropoiesis. This review also discusses how dysregulation of these processes can lead to erythroid disorders and examines the promise of genome editing and gene therapy as innovative therapeutic approaches. By shedding light on the genomic regulation of erythropoiesis, this review suggests avenues for novel treatments for hematological conditions, underscoring the need for continued molecular studies to improve human health. Understanding how our bodies produce red blood cells, a process called erythropoiesis, is vital for treating blood disorders. Researchers have reviewed the stages of erythropoiesis, focusing on the genetic and molecular factors that influence the development of red blood cells. Erythropoiesis starts with stem cells in the bone marrow, which transform into several stages of red blood cell precursors before becoming mature, oxygen-carrying cells. The review emphasizes the role of specific growth factors, like erythropoietin, and transcription factors, proteins that activate or deactivate specific genes, in guiding these developmental stages. It also discusses how manipulating these factors in the lab can produce red blood cells outside of the body, a technique that could have therapeutic uses. By targeting the specific genes and pathways involved in red blood cell development, researchers can develop more effective treatments. This summary was initially drafted using artificial intelligence, then revised and fact-checked by the author.