Erythropoietin Crosses the Blood-brain Barrier to Protect Against Experimental Brain Injury

Overview

Journal Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A

Specialty Science

Date 2000 Sep 14

PMID 10984541

Citations 404

Authors

M L Brines

P Ghezzi

S Keenan

D Agnello

N C De Lanerolle

C Cerami

L M Itri

A Cerami

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

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.

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