[Role of erythropoietin in brain homeostasis, neurodevelopment and neuroprotection].

Erythropoietin is known as a cytokine regulating the erythrocyte production. Based on recent research it became clear that it is secreted not only by the kidney, but by the central nervous system as well, and erythropoietin receptors are present there, too. Animal and human studies found that the expression of erythropoietin and its receptor is changing through neurodevelopment, which has impact on the differentiation of neuronal cells and is essential for normal neurodevelopment. In addition erythropoietin is protective against several mechanisms of neuronal injury: it alleviates the outcome of hypoxia and glutamate toxicity and has antiapoptotic effects. Based on these results the neuroprotective effects of exogenously administered erythropoietin was studied in several clinical studies. The available data indicate that erythropoietin or its analogues may have a role in neuroprotection in clinical settings.