title: The effect of in vivo erythropoietin on cytokine mRNA in CAPD patients.
abstract: There is increasing evidence that erythropoietin (EPO) affects immune function in addition to its well-known effects on the erythrogenesis. However, many of the studies examining the immunomodulatory capacity of this hormone have been in vitro. We examined mRNA signal for three important cytokines, interleukin 1(IL-1), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), in stable continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients at baseline, and again at 2, 4, and 6 months after treatment with EPO. Significant changes were noted in all three cytokine mRNA signals in the majority of patients treated with this hormone. We conclude that EPO has significant immunomodulatory effects in vivo as defined by changes in cytokine mRNA compared to control. The significance of these changes, and their relationship to well-being and altered immune function remain to be better defined.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, The Toronto Hospital, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Bargman
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nong
authors.forename: E D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Silverman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics*; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000235:genetics; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D010531:Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D007375:Interleukin-1; D015850:Interleukin-6; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D004921:Erythropoietin