Areas of Expertise:
General pediatric hematology, Transfusion medicine, Sickle cell disease and alloimmunization, Apheresis
Locations:
Main Campus
MD - New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY
Pediatrics - The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
Pediatrics - The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
Pediatric Hematology/Oncology - The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
Transfusion Medicine - Hospital of The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Blood Banking and Transfusion MedicineHematology/Oncology
Attending Physician
Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania
Dr. Chou's research laboratory investigates mechanisms of normal hematopoietic development and how these become disrupted in hematologic diseases. Her laboratory primarily uses induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and primary human cells to model blood diseases and study their underlying pathophysiology. They specifically focus on erythro-megakaryocytic development and the role of genetic modifiers in anemia, thrombocytopenia, and myeloproliferative disorders.
Dr. Chou's other research focus is alloimmunization in patients with sickle cell disease. Her research has demonstrated that transfusion of patients with sickle cell disease using African American donor units and antigen matched for D, C, E, and K did not reduce Rh alloimmunization and many Rh antibodies were explained by inheritance of variant RH genes. Her current work focuses on alloimmunization prevention and transfusion safety for patients with SCD using genomics to identify risk of alloantibody formation and selecting compatible blood donors.
Yunfeng Liu, Hui Zhong, Weili Bao, Avital Mendelson, Xiuli An, Patricia Shi, Stella T Chou, Deepa Manwani, and Karina Yazdanbakhsh : Patrolling Monocytes Scavenge Endothelial Adherent Sickle RBC: A Novel Mechanism of Inhibition of Vaso-occlusion in SCD. Blood. 2019 May 10. pii: blood.2019000172. doi: 10.1182/blood.2019000172. [Epub ahead of print]
Coleman Sarita, Westhoff Connie M, Friedman David F, Chou Stella T: Alloimmunization in patients with sickle cell disease and underrecognition of accompanying delayed hemolytic transfusion reactions. Transfusion Apr 2019.
Tasian Sarah K, Casas Jessica A, Posocco David, Gandre-Babbe Shilpa, Gagne Alyssa L, Liang Ge, Loh Mignon L, Weiss Mitchell J, French Deborah L, Chou Stella T: Mutation-specific signaling profiles and kinase inhibitor sensitivities of juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia revealed by induced pluripotent stem cells. Leukemia 33(1): 181-190, Jan 2019. PMCID: PMC6286697
Gagne Alyssa L, Maguire Jean Ann, Gandre-Babbe Shilpa, Chou Stella T, Tasian Sarah K, Loh Mignon L, Weiss Mitchell J, Gadue Paul, French Deborah L: Generation of a human Juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia iPSC line, CHOPi001-A, with a mutation in CBL. Stem cell research 31: 157-160, 08 2018.
Babushok Daria V, Stanley Natasha L, Morrissette Jennifer J D, Lieberman David B, Olson Timothy S, Chou Stella T, Hexner Elizabeth O: Germline duplication of ATG2B and GSKIP genes is not required for the familial myeloid malignancy syndrome associated with the duplication of chromosome 14q32. Leukemia 32(12): 2720-2723, Dec 2018. PMCID: PMC6301065
Dong Ha Bhang, Bang-Jin Kim, Byung Gak Kim, Keri Schadler, Kwan-Hyuck Baek, Yong-Hee Kim, Wayland Hsiao, Bi-Sen Ding, Shahin Rafii, Mitchell Weiss, Stella Chou, Thomas Kolon, Jill Ginsberg, Buom-Yong Ryu, and Sandra Ryeom: Testicular endothelial cells are a critical population in the germline stem cell niche. Nature Communications 9(1): 4379, October 2018. PMCID: PMC6197186
Grevet Jeremy D, Lan Xianjiang, Hamagami Nicole, Edwards Christopher R, Sankaranarayanan Laavanya, Ji Xinjun, Bhardwaj Saurabh K, Face Carolyne J, Posocco David F, Abdulmalik Osheiza, Keller Cheryl A, Giardine Belinda, Sidoli Simone, Garcia Ben A, Chou Stella T, Liebhaber Stephen A, Hardison Ross C, Shi Junwei, Blobel Gerd A: Domain-focused CRISPR screen identifies HRI as a fetal hemoglobin regulator in human erythroid cells. Science 361(6399): 285-290, July 2018. PMCID: PMC6257981
Chou Stella T, Evans Perry, Vege Sunitha, Coleman Sarita L, Friedman David F, Keller Margaret, Westhoff Connie M. : RH genotype matching for transfusion support in sickle cell disease. Blood Page: 10.1182/blood-2018-05-851360, July 2018 Notes: *featured article.
Hankins Jane S, Estepp Jeremie H, Hodges Jason R, Villavicencio Martha A, Robison Leslie L, Weiss Mitchell J, Kang Guolian, Schreiber Jane E, Porter Jerlym S, Kaste Sue C, Saving Kay L, Bryant Paulette C, Deyo Jeffrey E, Nottage Kerri A, King Allison A, Brandow Amanda M, Lebensburger Jeffrey D, Adesina Oyebimpe, Chou Stella T, Zemel Babette S, Smeltzer Matthew P, Wang Winfred C, Gurney James G: Sickle Cell Clinical Research and Intervention Program (SCCRIP): A lifespan cohort study for sickle cell disease progression from the pediatric stage into adulthood. Pediatric blood & cancer Page: e27228, May 2018.
Liu Yunfeng, Jing Fangmiao, Yi Woelsung, Mendelson Avital, Shi Patricia, Walsh Ronald, Friedman David F, Minniti Caterina, Manwani Deepa, Chou Stella T, Yazdanbakhsh Karina: HO-1 patrolling monocytes protect against vaso-occlusion in sickle cell disease. Blood 131(14): 1600-1610, Apr 2018. PMCID: PMC5887768
Daria Babushok, Jamie Duke, Hongbo Xie, Natasha Stanley, Jamie Atienza, Nieves Perdigones, Peter Nicholas, Deborah Ferriola, Yimei Li, Hugh Huang, Wenda Ye, Jennifer JD Morrissette, Jane Kearns, David L. Porter, Gregory M Podsakoff, Laurence Eisenlohr, Jaclyn Biegel, Stella T. Chou, Dimitrios Monos, Monica Bessler, and Timothy S Olson: Somatic HLA Mutations Expose the Role of Class I-Mediated Autoimmunity in Aplastic Anemia and its Clonal Complications. Blood Advances 1(22): 1900-1910, October 2017. PMCID: 5621748
Chou Stella T, Flanagan Jonathan M, Vege Sunitha, Luban Naomi L.C., Brown R. Clark, Ware Russell E, Westhoff Connie M.: Whole exome sequencing for RH genotyping and alloimmunization risk in children with sickle cell anemia. Blood Advances 1(18): 1414-1421, August 2017. PMCID: PMC5727856
Godefroy Emmanuelle, Liu Yunfeng, Shi Patricia, Mitchell W Beau, Cohen Devin, Chou Stella T, Manwani Deepa, Yazdanbakhsh Karina: Altered heme-mediated modulation of dendritic cell function in sickle cell alloimmunization. Haematologica 101(9): 1028-38, Sep 2016. PMCID: 5060019
Cohen Devin, Hartung Helge, Evans Perry, Friedman David F, Chou Stella T: Red blood cell alloimmunization in transfused patients with bone marrow failure syndromes. Transfusion 56(6): 1314-9, Jun 2016.
Giani Felix C, Fiorini Claudia, Wakabayashi Aoi, Ludwig Leif S, Salem Rany M, Jobaliya Chintan D, Regan Stephanie N, Ulirsch Jacob C, Liang Ge, Steinberg-Shemer Orna, Guo Michael H, Esko Tõnu, Tong Wei, Brugnara Carlo, Hirschhorn Joel N, Weiss Mitchell J, Zon Leonard I, Chou Stella T, French Deborah L, Musunuru Kiran, Sankaran Vijay G: Targeted Application of Human Genetic Variation Can Improve Red Blood Cell Production from Stem Cells. Cell Stem Cell 18(1): 73- Jan 2016. PMCID: PMC4707983
Zhang H , Xue C , Shah R , Bermingham K , Hinkle CC , Li W , Rodrigues A , Tabita-Martinez J , Millar JS , Cuchel M , Pashos EE , Liu Y , Yan R , Yang W, Gosai SJ , VanDorn D , Chou ST , Gregory BD , Morrisey EE , Li M , Rader DJ , Reilly MP. Functional Analysis and Transcriptome Profiling of iPSC-derived Macrophages and their Application in Modeling Mendelian Disease. Circ Res. 2015 Jun 19;117(1):17-28.
Westhoff CM, Vege S, Halter Hipsky C, Horn T, Hue-Roye K, Keller J, Velliquette R, Lomas-Francis C, Chou ST, Reid ME. RHCE*ceAG (254C>G, 85Gly) is prevalent in Blacks, encodes a partial ce-phenotype, and is associated with discordant RHD zygosity. Transfusion. 2015 Nov;55(11):2624-32.
Noh JY, Gandre-Babbe S, Wang Y, Hayes V, Yao Y, Gadue P, Sullivan SK, Chou ST, Machlus KR, Italiano JE Jr, Kyba M, Finkelstein D, Ulirsch JC, Sankaran VG, French DL, Poncz M, Weiss MJ. Inducible Gata1 suppression expands megakaryocyte-erythroid progenitors from embryonic stem cells. J Clin Invest. 2015 Jun;125(6):2369-74.
Wang Yuhuan, Hayes Vincent, Jarocha Danuta, Sim Xiuli, Harper Dawn C, Fuentes Rudy, Sullivan Spencer K, Gadue Paul, Chou Stella T, Torok-Storb Beverly J, Marks Michael S, French Deborah L, Poncz Mortimer: Comparative analysis of human ex vivo-generated platelets vs. megakaryocyte-generated platelets in mice: A cautionary tale. Blood Apr 2015.
Casas Jessica, Friedman David F, Jackson Tannoa, Vege Sunitha, Westhoff Connie M, Chou Stella T: Changing practice: red blood cell typing by molecular methods for patients with sickle cell disease. Transfusion Jan 2015.
Byrska-Bishop Marta, VanDorn Daniel, Campbell Amy E, Betensky Marisol, Arca Philip R, Yao Yu, Gadue Paul, Costa Fernando F, Nemiroff Richard L, Blobel Gerd A, French Deborah L, Hardison Ross C, Weiss Mitchell J, Chou Stella T: Pluripotent stem cells reveal erythroid-specific activities of the GATA1 N-terminus. The Journal of clinical investigation 125(3): 993-1005, Jan 2015. PMCID: PMC4362246
Shaham Lital, Vendramini Elena, Ge Yubin, Goren Yaron, Birger Yehudit, Tijssen Marloes R, McNulty Maureen, Geron Ifat, Schwartzman Omer, Goldberg Liat, Chou Stella T, Pitman Holly, Weiss Mitchell J, Michaeli Shulamit, Sredni Benjamin, Göttgens Berthold, Crispino John D, Taub Jeffrey W, Izraeli Shai: MicroRNA-486-5p is an erythroid oncomiR of the myeloid leukemias of Down syndrome. Blood 125(8): 1292-301, Dec 2014. PMCID: PMC4335082
Malinge Sébastien, Chlon Tim, Doré Louis C, Kettering Rhett P, Tallman Martin S, Paietta Elisabeth, Gamis Alan S, Taub Jeffrey W, Chou Stella T, Weiss Mitchell J, Crispino John D, Figueroa Maria E: Development of acute megakaryoblastic leukemia in Down syndrome is associated with sequential epigenetic changes. Blood 122(14): e33-43, Oct 2013. PMCID: PMC3790517
Chou Stella T, Jackson Tannoa, Vege Sunitha, Smith-Whitley Kim, Friedman David F, Westhoff Connie M: High prevalence of red blood cell alloimmunization in sickle cell disease despite transfusion from Rh-matched minority donors. Blood 122(6): 1062-71, May 2013.
Zaslavsky Alexander, Chou Stella T*, Schadler Keri, Lieberman Allyson, Pimkin Maxim, Kim Yeo Jung, Baek Kwan-Hyuck, Aird William C, Weiss Mitchell J, Ryeom Sandra: The calcineurin-NFAT pathway negatively regulates megakaryopoiesis. Blood 121(16): 3205-15, Apr 2013. PMCID: PMC3630833, *co-first author
Gandre-Babbe Shilpa, Paluru Prasuna, Aribeana Chiaka, Chou Stella T, Bresolin Silvia, Lu Lin, Sullivan Spencer K, Tasian Sarah K, Weng Julie, Favre Helene, Choi John K, French Deborah L, Loh Mignon L, Weiss Mitchell J.: Patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells recapitulate hematopoietic abnormalities of juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia. Blood 121(24): 4925-9, April 2013.
Roy Anindita, Cowan Gillian, Mead Adam J, Filippi Sarah, Bohn Georg, Chaidos Aristeidis, Tunstall Oliver, Chan Jerry K Y, Choolani Mahesh, Bennett Phillip, Kumar Sailesh, Atkinson Deborah, Wyatt-Ashmead Josephine, Hu Ming, Stumpf Michael P H, Goudevenou Katerina, O'Connor David, Chou Stella T, Weiss Mitchell J, Karadimitris Anastasios, Jacobsen Sten Eirik, Vyas Paresh, Roberts Irene: Perturbation of fetal liver hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell development by trisomy 21. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 109(43): 17579-84, Oct 2012. PMCID: 3491522
Chou Stella T, Byrska-Bishop Marta, Tober Joanna M, Yao Yu, Vandorn Daniel, Opalinska Joanna B, Mills Jason A, Choi John Kim, Speck Nancy A, Gadue Paul, Hardison Ross C, Nemiroff Richard L, French Deborah L, Weiss Mitchell J: Trisomy 21-associated defects in human primitive hematopoiesis revealed through induced pluripotent stem cells. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 109(43): 17573-8, Oct 2012. PMCID: 3491490
Chou Stella T, Khandros Eugene, Bailey L Charles, Nichols Kim E, Vakoc Christopher R, Yao Yu, Huang Zan, Crispino John D, Hardison Ross C, Blobel Gerd A, Weiss Mitchell J: Graded repression of PU.1/Sfpi1 gene transcription by GATA factors regulates hematopoietic cell fate. Blood 114(5): 983-94, Jul 2009. PMCID: PMC2721792
Chou Stella T, Opalinska Joanna B, Yao Yu, Fernandes Myriam A, Kalota Anna, Brooks John S J, Choi John K, Gewirtz Alan M, Danet-Desnoyers Gwenn-ael, Nemiroff Richard L, Weiss Mitchell J: Trisomy 21 enhances human fetal erythro-megakaryocytic development. Blood 112(12): 4503-6, Dec 2008. PMCID: PMC2597125
Stachura David L, Chou Stella T, Weiss Mitchell J: Early block to erythromegakaryocytic development conferred by loss of transcription factor GATA-1. Blood 107(1): 87-97, Jan 2006. PMCID: PMC1895362
Chou Stella T, Shah Samir S, Hodinka Richard L, Cohen Alan R: Positive heterophile antibody test and massive splenomegaly in an adolescent with previously unsuspected Gaucher disease. Pediatric emergency care 20(3): 181-4, Mar 2004.
Sandoval C, Dong S (maiden name), Visintainer P, Ozkayanak MF, Jayabose S.: The clinical and laboratory features of 178 children with recurrent epistaxis. Journal of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology. 24: 47-49, 2002. PMCID: PMC11902740
Tasian SK, Casas JA, Posocco D, Gandre-Babbe S, Gagne A, Liang G, Loh ML, Weiss MJ, French DL, Chou ST: Mutation-specific signaling profiles and therapeutic vulnerabilities of induced pluripotent stem cell models of juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia. Blood 130: 1678, Dec 2018.
Liu Y, Jing F, Yi W, Mendelson A, Shi P, Walsh R, Friedman DF, Minniti C, Manwani D, Chou ST, Yazdanbakhsh K: Protective role of HO-1 expressing CD16+ patrolling monocytes against hemolysis-induced endothelial damage and vaso-occlusive crisis in sickle cell disease. Blood 130: 767, Dec 2017.
Stella T. Chou: Development of the Hematopoietic System. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics, 21st Edition. Robert M. Kliegman, Bonita M.D. Stanton, Joseph St. Geme, Nina F Schor (eds.). Elsevier, 2019.
Chou ST, Schreiber AD: Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia. Nathan and Oski's Hematology of Infancy and Childhood. Orkin SH, Nathan DG, Ginsburg D, Look AT, Fisher DE, Lux S. (eds.). Elsevier, 2014.
Chou ST, Westhoff CM. : The Rh System. The American Association of Blood Banks Technical Manual. Roback JD, Combs MR, Grossman BJ, Hillyer CD (Eds). (eds.). AABB: Bethesda. 2011.
Chou ST, Weiss MJ.: Nonimmune Hemolytic Anemia. Conn's Current Therapy. Rakel R, Bope E (Eds). (eds.). WB Saunders, 2007.
Chou Stella T, Weiss Mitchell J: Diseased red blood cells topple iron balance. Nature medicine 13(9): 1020-1, Sep 2007.
Hyun H. An, Judith Aeschlimann, David F. Posocco, Jean Ann Maguire, Paul Gadue, Deborah L. French, Connie M. Westhoff, Stella T. Chou: Induced pluripotent stem cell-derived red cells for use as reagents to resolve Rh specificities. Transfusion October 2018 Notes: American Association of Blood Banks Annual Meeting, Boston MA (Oral presentation).
Posocco DF, An HH, Maguire JA, Aeschlimann J, French DL, Gadue P, Westhoff CM, Chou ST: Customized induced pluripotent stem cell-derived red cell reagents. Blood December 2017 Notes: American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting, Atlanta GA (podium - Plenary Session).
Compernolle V, Chou S, Tanael S, Savage W, Howard J, Josephson C, Hogan C, Odame I,Denomme G, and Shehata N for the International Collaboration for Transfusion Medicine Guidelines.: Red cell specifications for patients with hemoglobinopathies: a systematic review and guideline. Vox Sanguinis 112(Suppl 1), June 2017 Notes: International Society for Blood Transfusion Annual Meeting, Copenhagen, Denmark (poster).
Kim HC, Dugan N, Friedman D, Richardson K, Sesok-Pizzini D, Chou ST, Kwiatkowski JL, Ohene-Frempong K.: Chronic erythrocyapheresis therapy to reduce iron overload in patients with sickle cell disease: retrospective review of over 25 years of experience at a single center. Society for Hemapheresis April 2016 Notes: Society for Hemapheresis 2016 International Joint Congress, Paris, France (podium).
Chou ST. "Innovations in transfusion management of patients with sickle cell disease," British Society of Hematology Annual Meeting Education Session, Glasgow, Scotland. Apr, 2019.
Chou ST. "ASH clinical practice guidelines on sickle cell disease: transfusion medicine," The American Society of Hematology, San Diego, CA. Dec, 2018.
Chou ST. "A new approach to transfusion for sickle cell disease: time for personalized therapy," St. Jude Research Hospital, Memphis, TN. Nov, 2018.
Chou ST. "Antigen matching for patients with sickle cell disease: experience in the United States," Education Session at the American Association of Blood Banks Annual Meeting, Boston, MA. Oct, 2018.
Chou ST. "Personalized and Precision Medicine in Pediatric Transfusion Medicine," Education Session at the American Association of Blood Banks Annual Meeting, Boston, MA. Oct, 2018.
Chou ST. "Customized induced pluripotent stem cell-derived red cell reagents," American Society of Pediatric Hematology Oncology Annual Meeting Education Session, Pittsburgh, PA. May, 2018.
Chou ST. "Highlights of the 59th American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting, Transfusion Medicine," Highlights of ASH in Latin America, Rio de Janiero, Brazil. Apr, 2018.
Chou ST. "Genomic applications to improve transfusion therapy for sickle cell disease," Texas Children's Hematology and Oncology Center Research Seminar Series, Houston, TX. Feb, 2018.
Chou ST. "Customized induced pluripotent stem cell-derived red cell reagents," American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting, Plenary Scientific Session, Atlanta, GA. Dec, 2017.
Chou ST. "Red blood cell genotyping for hemoglobinopathies: considerations for thalassemia and sickle cell disease," 28th Regional Congress of the International Society of Blood Transfusion, Guangzhou, China. Nov, 2017.
Chou ST. "The virtual blood bank: red cell matching at the RH loci," American Association of Blood Banks Annual Meeting Education Session, San Diego, CA. Oct, 2017.
Chou ST. "iPS cells for the blood bank," Gordon Research COnference on Red Blood Cells: Formation, Genetics, Physiology and Disease Mechanisms, Newport, RI. Jul, 2017.
Chou ST. "Optimal RBC products for RBC exchange for patients with sickle cell disease," American Society for Apheresis Education Session, Fort Lauderdale, FL. May, 2017.
Chou ST. "Genomic applications for transfusion support," American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting Scientific Program, San Diego, CA. Dec, 2016.
Chou ST. "Improving transfusion therapy for sickle cell disease using a molecular approach," American Association of Blood Banks Annual Meeting Education Session, Orlando, FL. Oct, 2016.
Chou ST. "Frequency of alloantibodies associated with delayed transfusion reactions in children with sickle cell disease," American Association of Blood Banks Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL. Oct, 2016.
Chou ST. "Next generation sequencing to identify RH variants," American Association of Blood Banks Annual Meeting Education Session, Orlando, FL. Oct, 2016.
Chou ST. "Blood transfusion, alloimmunization and role of genotyping for variant antigens," Sickle Cell in Focus, Bethesda, MD. Jun, 2016.
Chou ST. "Transfusion therapy for sickle cell disease," SEHA International Pediatric Conference, Abu Dhabi, UAE. Feb, 2016.
2018, The National Blood Foundation Hall of Fame
2015, Scholar Award of The National Blood Foundation
2011, National Blood Foundation Young Investigator Scholarship
1997, New York Medical College Trustees' Scholarship for top 30 students
1997, Joseph Collins Foundation Scholarship for academic excellence
1995, Dean's List with Distinction, Duke University
1994, Dean's List, Duke University
2019-present, Associate Editor, Hematology: American Society of Hematology Education Program Book
2016-present, Hematology-Oncology Fellowship, Department of Pediatrics
2014-present, Hematology Mentorship Committee, Department of Pediatrics
2010-present, Transfusion Committee
2008-present, American Association of Blood Banks
- 2015-present, Clinical Transfusion Medicine Committee
2004-present, American Society of Hematology
- 2016-present, Advisor, Education Program Advisory Panel for the 2017 ASH Annual Meeting
- 2016-present, Chair, Transfusion Panel for the ASH Sickle Cell Disease Guideline Panel
- 2014-present, Scientific Committee on Transfusion Medicine
2016-present, National Blood Foundation
- 2016-present, Grant Review Committee
2005-present, American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology