Guest Editors
Jaira Ferreira de Vasconcellos
James Madison University
Dr. Jaira Ferreira de Vasconcellos is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Biology at James Madison University. Dr. Ferreira de Vasconcellos’ research focuses on mechanisms underlying bone formation, the osteohematopoietic bone marrow niche, and the pathophysiology of post-traumatic fibrosis and angiogenesis. Dr. Ferreira de Vasconcellos’ experience encompasses research in the fields of leukemia and sickle cell disease, where she investigated mechanisms that regulate fetal hemoglobin. More recently, Dr. Ferreira de Vasconcellos’ research has focused on investigating the underlying molecular mechanisms involved in human musculoskeletal fibrosis and ectopic bone formation after injury. Dr. Ferreira de Vasconcellos’ work in the interface of bone biology and the osteohematopoietic bone marrow niche aims to uncover novel candidate biomarkers and druggable targets with high translational potential. In addition to her research endeavors, Dr. Ferreira de Vasconcellos is passionate about teaching, science education and mentoring research students in her laboratory.
Nermi L. Parrow
Saint Louis University School of Medicine
Dr. Nermi Parrow is an Assistant Research Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. She has a longstanding interest in the interplay between iron homeostasis and erythropoiesis. She has broad training in molecular biology, with specific studies in iron metabolism, hemoglobinopathies, microbial heme acquisition and red cell deformability. Her current studies primarily focus on characterizing the distinct effects of the monoferric transferrins on the regulation of iron homeostasis and erythropoiesis.
Collection Overview
Stress erythropoiesis broadly refers to enhanced erythropoiesis in response to decreased oxygen delivery that expands beyond basal erythropoiesis. Compared to basal marrow erythropoiesis, many facets of stress erythropoiesis remain poorly or partially defined. Nevertheless, the phenomenon has important implications for several clinically relevant states. Examples include diseases characterized by ineffective erythropoiesis or poor erythropoietin responsiveness, as well as the anemia of inflammation and cancer-related anemia. We propose a Methods Collection that can be utilized to investigate the differences between stress and basal erythropoiesis. Topics of interest include the following:
· Techniques for characterizing the origin and trafficking of stress and basal erythroid stem/progenitor cells
· Methods for identifying early erythroid expansion and terminal differentiation
· Methods for characterizing the erythroblastic niche and the role of nurse macrophages within the erythroblastic niche are also of interest.
· Regulation of erythropoiesis, mainly how it differs between stress and basal erythropoiesis.
We anticipate that submissions addressing these, and other relevant topics will provide the necessary tools for further research into stress and basal erythropoiesis, resulting in a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of each.
