FIG. 2.

Effects of three-dimensional (3D) culture on the maturation of erythroid cells. (A) A representative image of late erythroblasts at day 1 of 3D culture. Blue arrows, mature orthochromatic erythroblasts; white star, cells undergoing enucleation; and red star, red blood cells (RBCs). At day 2 of aggregate 3D culture, the number of RBCs was increased and the numbers of bi- or multi-nucleated dysplastic cells (black star) and myeloid cells (black arrow) were decreased. (B) The percentages of erythroid cells at various maturation stages were calculated by two hematology experts. (C) The percentage of RBCs among total cells (n=8, p< 0.025) (D) and the enucleation rates among erythroid cells (n=8, p<0.005) in 2D and 3D cultures are shown. (E) The percentage of dysplastic erythroblasts is shown (n=8, p<0.039). p-Values were calculated using a two-tailed t-test. Color images available online at www.liebertpub.com/tea