1.

Describe the principle of blood cell maturation

Erythropoiesis
occurs in distinct anatomical sites called erythropoietic islands, specialized
niches in which erythroid precursors proliferate, differentiate, and enucleate.
Each island consists of a macrophage surrounded by a cluster of erythroblasts. Within erythroid niches, cell-cell and cellextracellular matrix
adhesion, positive and negative regulatory feedback, and central
macrophage function occur. Erythroid cells account for 5% to 38% of
nucleated cells in normal bone.
Granulopoiesis
Myeloid cells account for 23% to 85% of the nucleated cells in normal bone
marrow. Granulopoiesis can be recognized as a maturational unit. Early cells
are located in the cords and around the bone trabeculae. Neutrophils in the
bone marrow reside in the proliferating pool and the maturation storage
pool (see Chapter 14). Maturing cells spend an average of 3 to 6 days in the
proliferating pool. If needed, cells from the storage pool can exit into the
circulation rapidly and will have an average life span of 6 to 10 hours.
Lymphopoiesis
Unlike other cell lines, lymphocytes and plasma cells are produced in
lymphoid follicles. Lymphocytes are randomly dispersed throughout the
cords (see Chapter 16). Lymphoid
follicles may also be observed, especially after the age of 50. Plasma cells
are located along the vascular wall. Lymphoid cells typically account for 1%
to 5% of the nucleated cells in the normal bone marrow.
Megakaryopoiesis
Megakaryopoiesis takes place adjacent to the sinus endothelium.
Megakaryocytes protrude through the vascular wall as small cytoplasmic
processes to deliver platelets into the sinusoidal blood. Megakaryocytes
develop into platelets in approximately 5 days
Marrow Stromal Cells
The meshwork of stromal cells is composed of reticulum cells, histiocytes,
adipose cells, and endothelial cells. This structure
is where the hematopoietic cells are suspended in a delicate semifluid state.
Stromal cells produce an extracellular matrix composed of collagens and
proteins (e.g., glycoproteins and proteoglycans). The extracellular matrix is
critical for the

maintenance of normal renewal and differentiation of bone marrow cells.

Mast Cells
Tissue mast cells, a connective tissue cell of mesenchymal origin, are
normally observed in bone marrow. The abundant blue-purple granules that
usually obscure the round or oval reticular nucleus contain heparin,
histamine, serotonin, and proteolytic enzymes. Increased numbers of mast
cells can be seen in a variety of abnormal conditions (e.g., chronic
lymphoproliferative disorders or chronic infections).
Macrophages
Macrophages, also called reticulum cells or histocytes, appear as large cells
in the bone marrow. The appearance of the cytoplasms will vary, depending
on what the cell has ingested (e.g., siderophages are macrophages
containing
iron-rich hemosiderin and ferritin). Gaucher cells are macrophages filled
with uncatabolized glucocerebrosides.
Bone Cells
Osteoblasts are bone matrixsynthesizing cells that resemble plasma cells
and are usually observed in groups. Although
these cells are only occasionally seen in normal adult bone marrow
aspirates, an increased number of cells is characteristically seen in aspirates from children and from patients who have
metabolic disease. Osteoclasts resemble megakaryocytes. These are boneremodeling cells.
RESEARCHER: DORIA, Merwin
REFERENCES: Essentials in Hematology and Clinical Pathology (2012) (1) by
Nary louise Turgeon