Hepatoblasts comprise a niche for fetal liver erythropoiesis through cytokine production

► Fetal liver was separated into hepatoblasts, endothelial cells and hematopoietic cells by flow cytometry. ► Dlk-1-expressing hepatoblasts primarily expressed EPO and SCF by real-time PCR and ELISA analysis. ► EPO and SCF expressions were down-regulated in Map2k4−/− fetal liver which lacks hepatoblasts. ► Hepatoblasts comprise a niche for fetal liver erythropoiesis.