Neuroprotective activity of a new erythropoietin formulation with increased penetration in the central nervous system

Abstract

Apart from its hematopoietic effect, erythropoietin (EPO) is a molecule with high neuroprotective potential. However, its prolonged application may cause serious adverse effects due to the erythropoiesis stimulation. Therefore, an EPO derivative with neuroprotective properties but low hematopoietic activity, designated as neuropoietin (rhNEPO), was developed in our lab using an alternative purification process of the recombinant human erythropoietic counterpart (rhEPO) produced in CHO cells [1]. The in vitro cytoprotective activity of rhNEPO on neural phenotype cells and its brain uptake from blood are herein analyzed.