Department of Anatomy and Animal Production, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain.
Pathobiology. 2011;78(1):41-53. doi: 10.1159/000322975. Epub 2011 Apr 5.
Erythropoietin (EPO), the main hemopoietic hormone synthesized by the kidney as well as by the liver in fetal life, is implicated in mammalian erythropoiesis. Production and secretion of EPO and the expression of its receptor (EPO-R) are regulated by tissue oxygenation. EPO and EPO-R, expressed in several tissues, exert pleiotropic activities and have different effects on nonhemopoietic cells. EPO is a cytokine with antiapoptotic activity and plays a potential neuroprotective and cardioprotective role against ischemia. EPO is also involved in angiogenesis, neurogenesis, and the immune response. EPO can prevent metabolic alterations, neuronal and vascular degeneration, and inflammatory cell activation. Consequently, EPO may be of therapeutic use for a variety of disorders. Many tumors express EPO and/or EPO-R, but the action of EPO on tumor cells remains controversial. It has been suggested that EPO promotes the proliferation and survival of cancer cells expressing EPO-R. On the other hand, other reports have concluded that EPO-R plays no role in tumor progression. This review provides a detailed insight into the nonhemopoietic role of EPO and its mechanism(s) of action which may lead to a better understanding of its potential therapeutic value in diverse clinical settings.
促红细胞生成素（EPO）是肾脏以及胎儿肝脏合成的主要造血激素，参与哺乳动物的红细胞生成。EPO 的产生和分泌及其受体（EPO-R）的表达受组织氧合的调节。EPO 和 EPO-R 在多种组织中表达，发挥着多效性作用，并对非造血细胞有不同的影响。EPO 是一种具有抗凋亡活性的细胞因子，在缺血时具有潜在的神经保护和心脏保护作用。EPO 还参与血管生成、神经发生和免疫反应。EPO 可以预防代谢改变、神经元和血管退化以及炎性细胞激活。因此，EPO 可能对多种疾病具有治疗作用。许多肿瘤表达 EPO 和/或 EPO-R，但 EPO 对肿瘤细胞的作用仍存在争议。有人认为 EPO 促进表达 EPO-R 的癌细胞的增殖和存活。另一方面，其他报道得出结论认为，EPO-R 在肿瘤进展中不起作用。这篇综述详细介绍了 EPO 的非造血作用及其作用机制，这可能有助于更好地理解其在多种临床环境中的潜在治疗价值。
