Iron-loaded deferiprone can support full hemoglobinization of cultured red blood cells

Gallego-Murillo JS, Yağcı N, Pinho EM, Wahl SA, van den Akker E, von Lindern M (2023)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2023

Journal

Scientific Reports Nature Publishing Group: Open Access Journals - Option B

Book Volume: 13

Article Number: 6960

Journal Issue: 1

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-32706-1

Abstract

Iron, supplemented as iron-loaded transferrin (holotransferrin), is an essential nutrient in mammalian cell cultures, particularly for erythroid cultures. The high cost of human transferrin represents a challenge for large scale production of red blood cells (RBCs) and for cell therapies in general. We evaluated the use of deferiprone, a cell membrane-permeable drug for iron chelation therapy, as an iron carrier for erythroid cultures. Iron-loaded deferiprone (Def3·Fe3+, at 52 µmol/L) could eliminate the need for holotransferrin supplementation during in vitro expansion and differentiation of erythroblast cultures to produce large numbers of enucleated RBC. Only the first stage, when hematopoietic stem cells committed to erythroblasts, required holotransferrin supplementation. RBCs cultured in presence of Def3·Fe3+ or holotransferrin (1000 µg/mL) were similar with respect to differentiation kinetics, expression of cell-surface markers CD235a and CD49d, hemoglobin content, and oxygen association/dissociation. Replacement of holotransferrin supplementation by Def3·Fe3+ was also successful in cultures of myeloid cell lines (MOLM13, NB4, EOL1, K562, HL60, ML2). Thus, iron-loaded deferiprone can partially replace holotransferrin as a supplement in chemically defined cell culture medium. This holds promise for a significant decrease in medium cost and improved economic perspectives of the large scale production of red blood cells for transfusion purposes.

Authors with CRIS profile

Sebastian Aljoscha Wahl

Involved external institutions

Sanquin NL Netherlands (NL) Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) NL Netherlands (NL)

How to cite

APA:

Gallego-Murillo, J.S., Yağcı, N., Pinho, E.M., Wahl, S.A., van den Akker, E., & von Lindern, M. (2023). Iron-loaded deferiprone can support full hemoglobinization of cultured red blood cells. Scientific Reports, 13(1). https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-32706-1

MLA:

Gallego-Murillo, Joan Sebastián, et al. "Iron-loaded deferiprone can support full hemoglobinization of cultured red blood cells." Scientific Reports 13.1 (2023).

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