Marrow-mimicry MEW scaffolds recapitulate erythroblastic islands for high-density cRBC biomanufacturing

Marrow trabeculae-mimetic melt electrowritten PCL scaffolds increased supernatant cell numbers by 74% versus liquid suspension controls while supporting erythroblast-to-erythroid differentiation.

• Why it matters: Manufacturing cultured red blood cells is costly because producing trillions of cells requires large media volumes and high growth-factor use; higher-density culture could reduce these inputs.
• What they did: Engineered MEW PCL scaffolds with trabecular-like geometries were plasma-treated for PB MNC attachment, forming CD68+ macrophage-like cells that adhered CD71+ erythroblasts under erythrogenic conditions.
• The result: Erythroblasts increased from 10 to 25% between days 4 and 8 and produced CD235a+ erythroid cells by day 20, with trabecular-like designs generating more erythroblasts and releasing fewer-adherent cells to the supernatant.