Pleiotrophic actions of erythropoietin

Abstract

Erythropoietin is the prime regulator of red blood cell production. However, recent evidence suggests that the hormone has multiple effects outside the hematopoietic system. Functional receptors have been identified on a wide variety of normal and malignant cell types, and numerous biologic effects of the hormone on these cells have been observed both in vitro and in vivo. These findings are causing a reassessment of the understanding of erythropoietin physiology. Moreover, there are important implications for the use of recombinant erythropoietin in the clinical setting.

Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Mediates the Cerebrovascular Effects of Erythropoietin in Traumatic Brain Injury

“…Discovery of Epo and EpoR in many non-erythroid organs and tissues such as endothelial cells, reproductive organs, heart, gastrointestinal tract, muscle cells, and the central nervous system (CNS) suggests a wide variety of actions ( 23 , 50 , 51 ). Different cell types (neurons, glia and endothelial cells) in the nervous system produce Epo and express EpoR, and Epo appears to have multiple actions in the nervous system.…”

Erythropoietin is involved in hemoprotein syntheses in developing human decidua

“…Epo is considered to be a multifunctional cytokine in our body (Sasaki et al. ; Feldman and Sytkowski ; Jelkmann and Klaus ). In mouse uterine endometrium, Epo regulates the cyclic angiogenesis in an estradiol‐17β (E 2 )‐dependent manner, irrespective of hypoxia (Yasuda et al.…”

“…Besides erythropoiesis, Epo plays a role in normal physiological functions and in the development of malignant tumors (Yasuda et al 2001a;Hardee et al 2006). Epo is considered to be a multifunctional cytokine in our body (Sasaki et al 2001;Feldman and Sytkowski 2003;Jelkmann and Klaus 2004). In mouse uterine endometrium, Epo regulates the cyclic angiogenesis in an estradiol-17b (E2)-dependent manner, irrespective of hypoxia (Yasuda et al 1998).…”