Overview
This course offers a comprehensive exploration of erythropoiesis and red blood cells, from hematopoietic stem cells to major erythroid disorders. After reviewing the organization of hematopoiesis and the bone marrow niche, we will describe the stages of erythroid differentiation, enucleation, and the structural and metabolic characteristics of red blood cells. Systemic regulation by erythropoietin, oxygen, and iron metabolism will be discussed in relation to adaptation to hypoxia and exercise. The second part will address the main types of anemia—deficiency, inflammatory, bone marrow-related, and hemolytic anemias, as well as hemoglobinopathies—and polycythemia, emphasizing pathophysiological mechanisms and therapeutic implications rather than nosological classifications. Finally, the red blood cell will be considered as a systemic actor at the interface of immunity, inflammation, thrombosis, and metabolism, and as a model for translational medicine, spanning from basic biology to innovative therapies in numerous medical fields. This course will serve as a foundation for specialized seminars and a symposium devoted to clonal hematopoiesis, its mechanisms, and complications.