Red blood cells are the most abundant cell type in our body making up more than 60% of all cells. Their major task is to provide efficient gas exchange, delivering oxygen to and removing CO2 from the tissues. However, in addition they control vascular tone, combat oxidative stress and sense multiple signals of stress and disease. Over 1.5 billion people world-wide experience pathological condition associated with red blood cell deficiency, known as anemia. Our ITN RELEVANCE brought together 13 partners in various areas of red blood cell research and clinical hematology as well as industrial partners producing software and devices to understand the molecular mechanisms of processes running in healthy and diseased erythroid precursor cells in bone marrow, circulating and stored red blood cells. This unique team of experts from nine European countries was aiming to train 15 ESRs to become “the next generation” of professionals in the coming world of personalised medicine and modern translational research and diagnostic device development. Our ESRs feel comfortable in the international multidisciplinary environment and are integrated into the groups of world-class experts in the field when solving rather demanding research, clinical and engineering problems together. Within the project novel approaches (gene arrays and new application and protocols to use for hematological applications of the existing devices) and device prototypes were developed for diagnosis and monitoring of the disease severity and efficacy of therapies. These new diagnostic approaches analyse properties of individual cells and their responses to stress and are, therefore, radically different from the one currently used in the clinical labs, and more powerful as well. Some of the prototypes are already tested in clinical settings due to the successful networking between the clinical and industrial partners. Progress has been made in understanding of the underlying causes of primary anaemia and in defining the markers of disease severity. New optimised protocols were developed for in vitro red blood cell production. Knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of erythropoiesis, aging and clearance of circulating red blood cells was extended for the erythroid cell cultures and for humans ascending to the high altitude, adapting to hypobaric hypoxia and moving back to the sea level. Responses of human red blood cells to erythropoietin stimulation were observed and molecular mechanisms of those are being unravelled. Finally, handling of calcium ions was identified as one of the key factors in adaptation to endurance training and in development of pathology.
The achievements within the project are of societal importance. They enable better diagnosis and treatment of patients with rare anemias. Novel technical advances and new blood testing approaches emerging during the project contribute to the innovation and technological development within the EU. Finally, young specialists that were trained within the consortium are our contribution to the future medicine, research and industrial enterprises.
