Transcriptome dynamics during human erythroid differentiation and development

Genomics. 2013 Nov-Dec;102(5-6):431-441. doi: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2013.09.005. Epub 2013 Oct 8.

Abstract

To explore the mechanisms controlling erythroid differentiation and development, we analyzed the genome-wide transcription dynamics occurring during the differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (HESCs) into the erythroid lineage and development of embryonic to adult erythropoiesis using high throughput sequencing technology. HESCs and erythroid cells at three developmental stages: ESER (embryonic), FLER (fetal), and PBER (adult) were analyzed. Our findings revealed that the number of expressed genes decreased during differentiation, whereas the total expression intensity increased. At each of the three transitions (HESCs-ESERs, ESERs-FLERs, and FLERs-PBERs), many differentially expressed genes were observed, which were involved in maintaining pluripotency, early erythroid specification, rapid cell growth, and cell-cell adhesion and interaction. We also discovered dynamic networks and their central nodes in each transition. Our study provides a fundamental basis for further investigation of erythroid differentiation and development, and has implications in using ESERs for transfusion product in clinical settings.

Keywords: Cell differentiation; Development; Erythropoiesis; Gene regulatory networks; High-throughput RNA sequencing.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Embryonic Stem Cells / cytology
  • Erythroblasts / cytology
  • Erythroblasts / metabolism
  • Erythroid Cells / cytology*
  • Erythroid Cells / metabolism*
  • Erythropoiesis / genetics*
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Gene Regulatory Networks
  • Genome, Human
  • High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing
  • Humans
  • Transcriptome*