Enhanced production of red blood cells in suspension by electrostatic interactions with culture plates

Enucleation of erythroblasts, a critical step in the generation of red blood cells (RBCs), occurs at a low rate without cocultured stromal cells. Previously, the surface properties of the cell culture plate were not considered in the enucleation process, because the cells exist in suspension. Here, we show that a significantly higher rate of enucleation of erythroblasts occurred on the positively charged plates than on the negatively charged surfaces or the both negatively and positively charged plates. Also, the negatively and positively charged plate group showed a significantly higher enucleation than did the hydrophobic plates. Therefore, the plates fully coated with amine groups generated 1.88 times more enucleated RBCs than did the hydrophobic plates. This study suggests an important insight into the effect of surface characteristics of cell culture plates on suspension cell culture. Further, this simple and inexpensive procedure could contribute to a more efficient RBC production system, eliminating the need for robust and expensive coculture procedures.