A novel role for erythropoietin during fibrin-induced wound-healing response

Zishan A. Haroon, Khalid Amin, Xiaohong Jiang, Murat O. Arcasoy

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

149 Scopus citations

Abstract

In this study, we investigated the role of the hematopoietic cytokine erythropoietin (EPO) during wound healing, the physiological response to tissue injury. We used an in vivo wound-healing assay (fibrin Z-chambers) consisting of fibrin-filled chambers implanted subcutaneously in rats. The fibrin inside the chambers is replaced by granulation tissue consisting of new blood vessels, macrophages and fibroblasts as part of the wound-healing response. Local, exogenous recombinant EPO administration into the fibrin matrix significantly increased granulation tissue formation in a dose-dependent manner. To investigate the physiological role of endogenous EPO during wound healing, we used soluble EPO receptor or anti-EPO monoclonal antibodies to neutralize EPO and observed dose-dependent inhibition of granulation tissue formation, consistent with an important role for EPO in the wound-healing cascade. The ability of recombinant EPO to promote wound healing was associated with a proangiogenic effect during granulation tissue formation. We also found abundant expression of EPO receptor protein in macrophages, cells that play a pivotal role during wound healing. Modulation of wound healing because of administration of recombinant EPO or inhibition of endogenous EPO-EPO receptor correlated with changes in levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase protein in granulation tissue. These data demonstrate a novel function for EPO by providing in vivo evidence for a physiological role during fibrin-induced wound healing.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)993-1000
Number of pages8
JournalAmerican Journal of Pathology
Volume163
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1 2003

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