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Burst-Forming Unit-Erythroid (BFU-E)

Meaning

Burst-Forming Unit-Erythroid (BFU-E) denotes a very primitive progenitor cell within the bone marrow that is committed to the erythroid lineage, representing an early stage in the process of red blood cell formation, known as erythropoiesis. These cells are characterized by their capacity to form large, multi-clustered colonies in vitro, resembling a ‘burst’ of differentiation and proliferation. The BFU-E population possesses a high proliferative potential but requires a complex cocktail of growth factors and cytokines to survive and mature. They serve as a crucial reservoir for future red blood cell production.