Erythropoietin: in vitro and in vivo studies of the regulation of erythropoiesis

Abstract

The application of recombinant DNA technology to the field of hematology has contributed greatly to our understanding of Erythropoietin (Epo) gene structure and regulation, cellular expression and regulation of hormone production, pharmacokinetics, receptor biology and, ultimately, the value of this hormone as a therapeutic. Areas which will undoubtedly prove fruitful for future research include the mechanisms by which hypoxia influences gene expression, structure/function relationships of the Epo molecule, isolation and cloning of the gene for the Epo receptor, mechanisms of transmembrane signalling and nuclear activation, and the further application of recombinant human Epo in the treatment of other human diseases. Epo is but one example of the contribution that modern biology has made to the understanding of hematopoietic regulation and to the availability of these growth factors for clinical trial.