Review article From stem cell to red cell: regulation of erythropoiesis at multiple levels by multiple proteins, RNAs, and chromatin modifications

This article reviews the regulation of pro-duction of RBCs at several levels. We focus on the regulated expansion of burst-forming unit-erythroid erythroid progeni-tors by glucocorticoids and other factors that occur during chronic anemia, inflam-mation, and other conditions of stress. We also highlight the rapid production of RBCs by the coordinated regulation of terminal proliferation and differentiation of committed erythroid colony-forming unit-erythroid progenitors by external sig-nals, such as erythropoietin and adhe-sion to a fibronectin matrix. We discuss the complex intracellular networks of co-ordinated gene regulation by transcrip-tion factors, chromatin modifiers, and miRNAs that regulate the different stages of erythropoiesis. (Blood. 2011;118(24): 6258-6268