Erythropoietin

Description

Recombinant erythropoietin (EPO) is currently indicated for use only in anemia associated with renal transplant or end-stage renal disease. Widened indications for use in other forms of anemia, accompanied by price reductions as a result of keen competition, have been projected for EPO in the future.

Originator

Amgen (USA)

The Uses of Erythropoietin

Erythropoietin can be used in biological study of its attenuation of cardiac dysfunction in rats by inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced diabetic cardiomyopathy.

brand name

Eprex

General Description

EPO has been cloned from various species including human, murine, canine, and others. The mature proteins from the various species are highly conserved and exhibit greater than 80% amino acid sequence identity. EPO contains three N-linked glycosylation sites. The glycosylation of erythropoietin is required for the biological activities of erythropoietin in vivo.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Erythropoietin (EPO), produced primarily by the kidney, is the primary regulatory factor of erythropoiesis. It promotes the proliferation, differentiation, and survival of the erythroid progenitors. Erythropoietin stimulates erythropoiesis by inducing growth and differentiation of burst forming units and colony forming units into mature red blood cells. EPO produced by kidney cells is increased in response to hypoxia or anemia. The biological effects of erythropoietin are mediated by the erythropoietin receptor, which binds EPO with high affinity and is a potent EPO antagonist.