Abstract
Erythropoietin (EPO), already known as the stimulating hormone for erythropoiesis, has shown different and interesting pleiotropic actions. It does not only affect erythroid cells, but also myeloid cells, lymphocytes and megakaryocytes. This hormone can also enhance phagocytic function of the polymorphonuclear cells and reduce the activation of macrophages, thus modulating the inflammatory process.Moreover, hematopoietic and endothelial cells probably have the same cellular origin, and the discovery of erythropoietin receptors (EPO-R) also on mesangial and myocardial cells, smooth muscle fibrocells and neurons has prompted the study of the non-erythropoietic functions of this hormone.The interaction between EPO and VEGF may be of particular importance in neovascularization and wound healing.Different studies have demonstrated that EPO has an important direct hemodynamic and vasoactive action, which does not depend exclusively on any increase in hematocrit and viscosity. Moreover EPO showed protective effects on myocardial cells against apoptosis induced by ischemia/repefusion injury, but it could negatively affect pulmonary hypertension in patient with chronic cor pulmonale.This review aims to stress the importance of the increasing interest in EPO applications and the necessity of further studies to gain a deeper knowledge of this hormone and its pleiotropic and complex actions.
Keywords: Erythropoietin (EPO), pleiotropic action, receptors, oxygen tension, apoptosis, angiogenesis, ischemia
Cardiovascular & Hematological Agents in Medicinal Chemistry
Title: From the Oxygen to the Organ Protection: Erythropoietin as Protagonist in Internal Medicine
Volume: 4 Issue: 4
Author(s): M. Buemi, L. Nostro, M. S. Giacobbe, C. Aloisi, A. Sturiale, D. Bolignano, A. Allegra, G. Grasso and N. Frisina
Affiliation:
Keywords: Erythropoietin (EPO), pleiotropic action, receptors, oxygen tension, apoptosis, angiogenesis, ischemia
Abstract: Erythropoietin (EPO), already known as the stimulating hormone for erythropoiesis, has shown different and interesting pleiotropic actions. It does not only affect erythroid cells, but also myeloid cells, lymphocytes and megakaryocytes. This hormone can also enhance phagocytic function of the polymorphonuclear cells and reduce the activation of macrophages, thus modulating the inflammatory process.Moreover, hematopoietic and endothelial cells probably have the same cellular origin, and the discovery of erythropoietin receptors (EPO-R) also on mesangial and myocardial cells, smooth muscle fibrocells and neurons has prompted the study of the non-erythropoietic functions of this hormone.The interaction between EPO and VEGF may be of particular importance in neovascularization and wound healing.Different studies have demonstrated that EPO has an important direct hemodynamic and vasoactive action, which does not depend exclusively on any increase in hematocrit and viscosity. Moreover EPO showed protective effects on myocardial cells against apoptosis induced by ischemia/repefusion injury, but it could negatively affect pulmonary hypertension in patient with chronic cor pulmonale.This review aims to stress the importance of the increasing interest in EPO applications and the necessity of further studies to gain a deeper knowledge of this hormone and its pleiotropic and complex actions.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Buemi M., Nostro L., Giacobbe S. M., Aloisi C., Sturiale A., Bolignano D., Allegra A., Grasso G. and Frisina N., From the Oxygen to the Organ Protection: Erythropoietin as Protagonist in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular & Hematological Agents in Medicinal Chemistry 2006; 4 (4) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187152506778520754
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187152506778520754 |
Print ISSN 1871-5257 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-6182 |

- Author Guidelines
- Bentham Author Support Services (BASS)
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Inflammation in Ischemic Stroke: Mechanisms, Consequences and Possible Drug Targets
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets “European Panel on Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) Subclasses”: A Statement on the Pathophysiology, Atherogenicity and Clinical Significance of LDL Subclasses
Current Vascular Pharmacology Role of Sirtuins and Calorie Restriction in Neuroprotection: Implications in Alzheimers and Parkinsons Diseases
Current Pharmaceutical Design Selective Inhibition of Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase by L-Arginine Derivatives
Letters in Drug Design & Discovery Editorial [Hot topic: Proteinuria in Diabetes: an Endocrine Disease? (Guest Editor: Alessia Fornoni and Oliver Lenz)]
Current Diabetes Reviews Impaired Renal Autoregulation in Susceptible Models of Renal Disease
Current Vascular Pharmacology Recent Trends in Development of Fermented Milks
Current Nutrition & Food Science Evaluating the Safety and Tolerability of Azilsartan Medoxomil Alone or in Combination With Chlorthalidone in the Management of Hypertension: A Systematic Review
Current Hypertension Reviews The Non-Canonical IκB Kinases IKKε and TBK1 as Potential Targets for the Development of Novel Therapeutic Drugs
Current Molecular Medicine MicroRNAs in Arterial Hypertension
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Pharmacotherapeutic Approach to Prevent or Treat Chronic Allograft Nephropathy
Current Drug Targets - Cardiovascular & Hematological Disorders The General Practitioners Role in Promoting Physical Activity to Older Adults: A Review Based on Program Theory
Current Aging Science Increased Arterial Stiffness is Associated with Poor Collaterals in Acute Ischemic Stroke from Large Vessel Occlusion
Current Neurovascular Research Solvent-Free Synthesis of 1,3-Diphenyl-5-arylpyrazole Derivatives
Letters in Organic Chemistry Induction of Propranolol Metabolism by Ginkgo biloba Extract EGb 761 in Rats
Current Drug Metabolism Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Targeted Drugs: A Focus on Diabetes
Current Pharmaceutical Design Diet and Metabolic Syndrome
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-γ: Master Regulator of Adipogenesis and Obesity
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy Recent Applications of Benzimidazole as a Privileged Scaffold in Drug Discovery
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Progress Towards Discovery of Antifibrotic Drugs Targeting Synthesis of Type I Collagen
Current Medicinal Chemistry