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
- 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
- Announcements
- Forthcoming Thematic Issues
Related Articles
-
L-Arginine Transport and Nitric Oxide Production in Kinin Receptor B1-/- Endothelial Cells.
Protein & Peptide Letters Recommendations for the Treatment of Hypertension in Elderly People
Cardiovascular & Hematological Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Meet Our Editorial Board Member
Current Signal Transduction Therapy Development of Inhibitors of the Aspartyl Protease Renin for the Treatment of Hypertension
Current Protein & Peptide Science Inappropriate Medication Use and Cost Comparison Analysis of Proton Pump Inhibitors: Evidence from an Indian Tertiary Care Facility
Current Drug Safety Editorial (Hot Topic: Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease: Cardiovascular Complications)
Current Hypertension Reviews Point of NO Return for Nitrergic Nerves in Diabetes: A New Insight into Diabetic Complications
Current Pharmaceutical Design Other Activities
Current Bioactive Compounds Advances in Adjuvant Therapy Against Acute Bacterial Meningitis
Current Drug Targets - Infectious Disorders Respiratory Gas Exchange During Exercise in Children with Congenital Heart Disease: Methodology and Clinical Concepts
Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews Gender Differences in Metabolic Syndrome – A Key Research Issue
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets Role of Polyphenols in Diet and Nutrition-An Updated Review
Current Nutrition & Food Science Refined Echocardiographic Assessment and Contemporary Medical Treatment of Obstructive Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Cardiovascular & Hematological Disorders-Drug Targets Modulation of Angiotensin II Effects, A Potential Novel Approach to Inflammatory and Immune Diseases
Current Medicinal Chemistry - Anti-Inflammatory & Anti-Allergy Agents Galanin Receptor/Neuropeptide Y Receptor Interactions in the Central Nervous System
Current Protein & Peptide Science Putative Role for Apelin in Pressure/Volume Homeostasis and Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiovascular & Hematological Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Role of NUCB2/nesfatin-1 in Glucose Control: Diverse Functions in Islets, Adipocytes and Brain
Current Pharmaceutical Design Antioxidant and Antiradical Activities Assessment in Two Hawthorn Species Fruit Components
Current Nutrition & Food Science Renal Ischemia: How Commonly Does it Cause Renal Failure?
Current Hypertension Reviews The Recurrent Mediastinal Bronchogenic Cyst: A Benign Tumour with an Invasive Character: Case Report
Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews