[Hematopoietic stem cells and mature blood cells from pluripotent stem cells]

Pluripotent stem cells such as embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells could be good sources for obtaining massive hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) and mature blood cells. Coculture with feeder cells and embryoid body formation are two major strategies to induce hematopoietic differentiation from pluripotent stem cells. Derivation of HSC with ability of reconstituting human hematopoiesis in immunodeficient mice has been achieved. It is also possible to generate mature blood cells such as neutrophils, erythrocytes, and platelets from pluripotent stem cells. Their morphologies, phenotypes, and functions are usually very similar to those of normal counterparts. However, a breakthrough is needed to overcome the issue of "yield", which still stands as a high barrier to reach clinical applications.