Concise Review: Production of Cultured Red Blood Cells from Stem Cells

• Published in: Stem cells translational medicine Vol. 1; no. 12; pp. 927 - 933
• Main Author: Bouhassira, Eric E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England AlphaMed Press 01-12-2012; Oxford University Press
• Subjects: Adult stem cells; Antigens; Blood Banking - methods; Blood groups; Blood Transfusion - methods; Cell Line, Transformed - cytology; Cells, Cultured; Embryonic stem cells; Emergency medical care; Erythrocytes; Erythrocytes - cytology; Erythropoiesis; Genetic engineering; Hematopoietic Stem Cells - cytology; Humans; Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells - cytology; Medical research; Pathogens; Patients; Stem cells; Stem/progenitor cell; Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
• ISSN: 2157-6564; 2157-6580
• DOI: 10.5966/sctm.2012-0097

The various cell sources, the niche applications most likely to reach the clinic first, and some of the remaining technical issues in the production of cultured red blood cells from stem cells are reviewed in this study.
In the Western world, the volunteer‐based collection system covers most transfusion needs, but transient shortages regularly develop and blood supplies are vulnerable to potentially major disruptions. The production of cultured red blood cells from stem cells is slowly emerging as a potential alternative. The various cell sources, the niche applications most likely to reach the clinic first, and some of the remaining technical issues are reviewed here.