The study of erythropoiesis aims to understand how red cells are formed from earlier
hematopoietic and erythroid progenitors. Specifically, the rate of red cell formation is
regulated by the hormone erythropoietin (Epo), whose synthesis is triggered by tissue
hypoxia. A threat to adequate tissue oxygenation results in a rapid increase in Epo, driving
an increase in erythropoietic rate, a process known as the erythropoietic stress response.
The resulting increase in the number of circulating red cells improves tissue oxygen delivery …