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A new way to boost red blood cell numbers
A common treatment for anemia — a deficiency in red blood cells (rbcs) caused by their insufficient
production, excessive destruction, or excessive loss — is administration of recombinant
erythropoietin (Epo), a hormone that stimulates the production of rbc precursors by the bone
marrow.
Unfortunately, many patients with anemia do not respond to treatment with Epo. However, a new study in
mice, by Anne Angelillo-Scherrer and her colleagues at the University Hospital Center and University of
Lausanne, Switzerland, has indicated that the protein Gas6 might augment or replace Epo in the treatment
of patients who are hyporesponsive or resistant to Epo, respectively.
It was shown that following treatment with Epo, mouse rbc precursors released Gas6, which increased cell
signaling in response to Epo treatment. In addition, mice deficient in Gas6 had decreased sensitivity to Epo
and a reduced ability to recover from anemia. Administration of Gas6, either alone or in combination with
Epo, was successful at treating both chronic and acute anemia in mice.
The authors therefore concluded that Gas6 has a role in rbc formation and might have valuable therapeutic
potential for the treatment of individuals with anemia who fail to respond to treatment with Epo.
Source: Journal of Clinical Investigation
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study, research, no part
may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.
"A new way to boost red blood cell numbers." Phys.org. 10 Jan 2008. http://phys.org/news119207350.html
Page 1/1
A new way to boost red blood cell numbers
A common treatment for anemia — a deficiency in red blood cells (rbcs) caused by their insufficient
production, excessive destruction, or excessive loss — is administration of recombinant
erythropoietin (Epo), a hormone that stimulates the production of rbc precursors by the bone
marrow.
Unfortunately, many patients with anemia do not respond to treatment with Epo. However, a new study in
mice, by Anne Angelillo-Scherrer and her colleagues at the University Hospital Center and University of
Lausanne, Switzerland, has indicated that the protein Gas6 might augment or replace Epo in the treatment
of patients who are hyporesponsive or resistant to Epo, respectively.
It was shown that following treatment with Epo, mouse rbc precursors released Gas6, which increased cell
signaling in response to Epo treatment. In addition, mice deficient in Gas6 had decreased sensitivity to Epo
and a reduced ability to recover from anemia. Administration of Gas6, either alone or in combination with
Epo, was successful at treating both chronic and acute anemia in mice.
The authors therefore concluded that Gas6 has a role in rbc formation and might have valuable therapeutic
potential for the treatment of individuals with anemia who fail to respond to treatment with Epo.
Source: Journal of Clinical Investigation
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study, research, no part
may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.
"A new way to boost red blood cell numbers." Phys.org. 10 Jan 2008. http://phys.org/news119207350.html
Page 1/1