Neuroprotective effects of erythropoietin on neurodegenerative and ischemic brain diseases： the role of erythropoietin receptor

• Published in: Neural regeneration research 2017-09, Vol.12 (9), p.1381-1389
• Main Authors: Hernández, Carolina Castillo, Burgos, Carlos Felipe, Gajardo, Angela Hidalgo, Silva-Grecchi, Tiare, Gavilan, Javiera, Toledo, Jorge Roberto, Fuentealba, Jorge
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anemia; Apoptosis; Binding sites; Bone marrow; Brain diseases; Care and treatment; Cell cycle; Cell receptors; Cerebral ischemia; Cytokines; Erythropoietin; erythropoietin; erythropoietin receptor; neuroprotection; anti-apoptosis; Alzheimer′s disease; Glycoproteins; Health aspects; Hypoxia; Invited Review; Kinases; Lymphoma; Molecular weight; Neurodegeneration; Neurodegenerative diseases; Peptides; Prevention; Proteins; 中枢神经系统; 促红细胞生成素; 神经保护作用; 神经退行性疾病; 红细胞生成素受体; 缺血; 脑疾病; 阿尔茨海默氏症
• ISSN: 1673-5374; 1876-7958
• DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.215240

Erythropoietin （Epo） is a fundamental hormone in the regulation of hematopoiesis, and other secondary roles mediated by the binding of the hormone to its specific receptor （EpoR）, which leads to an activation of key signaling pathways that induce an increase in cell differentiation, apoptosis control and neuroprotection. It has been suggested that their ftmction depends on final conformation of glycosylations, related with affinity to the receptor and its half-life. The presence of EpoR has been reported in different tissues including central nervous system, where it has been demonstrated to exert a neuroprotective function against oxidative stress conditions, such as ischemic injury and neurodegenerative diseases. There is also evidence of an increase in EpoR expression in brain cell lysates of Alzheimer＇s patients with respect to healthy patients. These results are related with extensive in vitro experimental data of neuroprotection obtained from cell lines, primary cell cultures and hippocampal slices. Additionally, this data is correlated with in vivo experiments （water maze test） in mouse models of Alzheimer＇s disease where Epo treatment improved cognitive function. These stud- ies support the idea that receptor activation induces a neuroprotective effect in neurodegenerative disorders including dementias, and especially Alzheimer＇s disease. Taken together, available evidence suggests that Epo appears to be a central element for EpoR activation and neuroprotective properties in the central nervous system. In this review, we will describe the mechanisms associated with neuroprotection and its relation with the activation of EpoR in order with identify new targets to develop pharmacological strategies.