Factors necessary for the Process of Erythropoiesis to take place

Erythropoiesis is the process by which red blood cells are produced. The production of all blood cells begins with the haemocytoblast, a multipotent haematopoietic stem cell. Haemocytoblasts have the greatest powers of self-renewal of any adult cell. They are found in the bone marrow and can be mobilised into the circulating blood when needed. Some haemocytoblasts differentiate into common myeloid progenitor cells, which go on to produce erythrocytes, as well as mast cells, megakaryocytes and myeloblasts. The process by which common myeloid progenitor cells become fully mature red blood cells involves several stages. First, they become normoblasts (aka erythroblasts), which are normally present in the bone marrow only. Then, they lose their nucleus as they mature into reticulocytes, which can be thought of as immature red blood cells. Some of these are released into the peripheral circulation. Finally, reticulocytes lose their remaining organelles as they mature into erythrocytes -which are fully mature red blood cells. The average lifespan of a red blood cell is approximately 120 days. The regulation of erythropoiesis is driven mainly by the hormone erythropoietin (EPO), which is a glycoprotein cytokine. EPO is secreted by the kidney. It is constantly secreted at a low level, sufficient for the normal regulation of erythropoiesis.

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