Abstract
Erythropoietin (Epo) modulates the survival of developing erythroid cells and the production of new erythrocytes in the bone marrow and is a key molecule in the adaptation to hypoxia and anaemia. Epo receptors have been found to be widely expressed on non-haematopoietic cells, and Epo has been shown to have diverse actions (in particular, preventing ischaemic damage to tissues of the central nervous system). Recently, Epo has been shown to improve the outcome in a murine model of malaria, and high plasma levels of Epo in children with cerebral malaria were associated with a better outcome. Here, we review the biological importance of Epo, its mechanisms of action and the rationale for the proposed use of Epo as an adjunct treatment in cerebral malaria.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 30-36 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Trends in Parasitology |
| Volume | 25 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jan 2009 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:C.C.P. is supported by the Medical Research Council, UK and the Oxford Tropical Network. D.J.R. is supported by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and the National Blood Service, and this work benefits from NHS R&D funding, NIHR funding from the Biomedical Research Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital and the EU Framework VI NoE BioMalPar. C.R.J.C.N. is funded by the Wellcome Trust, UK (070114). We would like to thank Anne-Lise Bienvenu (Malaria Research Unit, Lyon, France) for critical review of the manuscript and sharing data on current trials with Epo in patients.
