Red Blood Cells Flashcards
Which part of the body do blood cells originate from?
Bone marrow
What are blood cells derived from?
Pluripotent haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs)
Pluripotent haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs)
Self renew
Differentiate to mature progeny
Sites of haematopoiesis
Yolk sac generation of HSC
Liver HSC maintenance and expansions
Bone marrow mainly pelivis femur and sternum
What regulates haematopoiesis
Genes transcription factors growth factors and micro environment
What occurs if regulation disrupted
Can lead to leukaemia or bone marrow failure
Haematopoietic growth factors:
- Glycoprotein hormones which bind to cell surface receptors
- Regulate proliferation and differentiation of HSCs
- Regulate function of mature blood cells
Erythropoietin
Regulated erythropoiesis
Glycoprotein cytokine that regulates erythropoiesis
Made in the kidney in response to hypoxia
It interacts with erythropoietin receptors on red cell progenitor membranes → stimulates bone marrow to increase RBC production
Erythropoiesis
Development of red blood cells
What 4 things are required for erythropoiesis
Iron
B12
Folate
Erythropoietin
When is erythropoietin (EPO) synthesized
Synthesized in response to hypoxia
Iron
Transports oxygen and absorbed in duodenum
Fe2+ best absorbed Fe3+ requires vit c
Hepcidin
Controls absorption of iron so only 1-2mg absorbed. It binds to ferroportin is the duodenum preventing iron absorption
What does B12 bind to
Combines with intrinsic factor making B12-IF
In small intestine it binds to receptors in ileum
Where is Folic acid absorbed
Absorbed in small intestine
B12 deficiency caused by
Inadequate intake
Malabsorption due to coeliac disease
Lack of stomach acid
Where are erythrocytes destroyed
In spleen
Erythrocyte life span
120 days