Author/Editor		Sytkowski, AJ
Title		Erythropoietin: from gene to clinical use
Type		članek
Source		In: Lindič J, Kaplan-Pavlovčič S, editors. Zbornik prispevkov 1. slovenski nefrološki kongres z mednarodno udeležbo; 1996 okt 23-26; Portorož. Ljubljana: Klinični center, Nefrološka klinika,
Publication year		2000
Volume		str. 201-5
Language		eng
Abstract		Erythropoietin is a heavily glycosylated polypeptide hormone that regulates the growth and differentiation of red blood cell progenitors. Though its existence was postulated early in this century, the proof of its nature and function required many decades of investigation. The molecular cloning of the human erythropoietin gene and cDNA and their expression in mammalian cells has allowed the preparation and formulation of the recombinantly produced protein for human therapy. Because of its requirement for heavy glycosylation, the cost of production and formulation make this a very expensive therapeutic. This has resulted in a search for more highly effective Epo preparations and even alternatives to the protein itself. Very recent progress in this quest is encouraging and may result in new forms of therapy for the treatment of the anemia of renal failure. Erythropoietin (EPO) is a glycoprotein hormone that regulates red blood cell production. EPO interacts with primitive self-replicating erythroid progenitor cells in the bone marrow and directs their proliferation and differentiation into recognizable eryhtorid precursors, with final maturation into hemoglobinized eryhtrocytes. Without EPO, red blood cells do not develop. The history of EPO is a long and interesting one. In 1836, the British physician Richard Bright observed that patients with renal disease exhibited marked pallor. In 1906, two French scientists, Carnot and Deflandre, proposed that arterial hypoxia generated a humoral factor that stimulated red blood cell production. However, unequivocal experimental data to support this suggestion came decades later. In the early 1950s both clinical and scientific evidence were found for the presence of such a humoral factor regulating red blood cell production. Data proving that the kidneys are the principal site of EPO production were obtained in 1957. (Abstract truncated at 2000 characters.)
Descriptors		ERYTHROPOIETIN ERYTHROPOIETIN, RECOMBINANT