Erythropoietin crosses the blood-brain barrier to protect against experimental brain injury.
basic_science · Level V
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- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 10984541.
- Also identified by PMC identifier 27058.
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Abstract
Erythropoietin (EPO), recognized for its central role in erythropoiesis, also mediates neuroprotection when the recombinant form (r-Hu-EPO) is directly injected into ischemic rodent brain. We observed abundant expression of the EPO receptor at brain capillaries, which could provide a route for circulating EPO to enter the brain. In confirmation of this hypothesis, systemic administration of r-Hu-EPO before or up to 6 h after focal brain ischemia reduced injury by approximately 50-75%. R-Hu-EPO also ameliorates the extent of concussive brain injury, the immune damage in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, and the toxicity of kainate. Given r-Hu-EPO's excellent safety profile, clinical trials evaluating systemically administered r-Hu-EPO as a general neuroprotective treatment are warranted.
Medical subject headings
- Brain Injuries
- Erythropoietin
- Neuroprotective Agents