effects of recombinant human erythropoietin pretreatment on anti-hla antibody titer: a preclinical experience in rats

background: erythropoietin (epo) was first known as a factor for red blood cell proliferation and differentiation. new studies show the effects of epo on immune system. objective: in this study, the effects of pretreatment with recombinant human erythropoietin (rhuepo) on the anti-human leukocyte antibody (anti-hla) titer were determined. methods: three groups of rats were sensitized with human lymphocytes. two of the groups were given 20 or 100 iu/kg rhuepo after two sensitizations with human lymphocytes. control group did not receive rhuepo. microlymphocytotoxicity method was used to detect anti-hla antibodies. results: treatment with rhuepo caused a significant decline in anti-hla antibody titer compared to control group. also, pretreatment with rhuepo suppressed antibody response after repeated antigenic stimulation. conclusion: such results could be due to the effects of rhuepo on the number or the activity of the b and the t cells. moreover, the dose of rhuepo and the length of treatment might affect anti-hla antibody titer.