the effects of recombinant human erythropoietin (rhuepo) on antihuman lymphocyte antibodies titer in sensitized rats

erythropoietin (epo) was first known as a factor for red blood cell proliferation and differentiation. recent studies show the effects of epo on immune system. in this study the antihuman leukocyte antibody (anti-hla) titer were determined in five groups of rats, which had been sensitized with human lymphocyte. also, the effects of stimulation's frequency and dose of recombinant human erythropoietin (rhuepo) on anti-hla antibody titer were studied. two groups of rats received 20 and 100 iu/kg rhuepo respectively, after twice sensitization with human lymphocyte. the other two groups were given 20 and 100 iu/kg rhuepo, but after three times sensitization with human lymphocyte. control group did not receive rhuepo. microlymphocytotoxicity method was used to detect anti-hla antibodies. the results show that the anti-hla antibody titer has been decreased significantly compared to control group. this statistically significant decrease was seen in groups, which received 100 iu/kg rhuepo, and also in those, which received 20 iu/kg after 2 antigenic stimulations. this could be due to the effects of rhuepo on the number or the activity of b cells and t cells. moreover, the dose of rhuepo, length of treatment and the level of sensitization with human lymphocyte might affect anti-hla antibody titer.