How does erythropoietin affect red blood cells?
Erythropoietin (EPO) is a hormone that is produced predominantly by specialised cells called interstitial cells in the kidney. Once it is made, it acts on red blood cells to protect them against destruction. At the same time it stimulates stem cells of the bone marrow to increase the production of red blood cells.
Why does EPO cause acute PRCA?
PRCA occurs from the generation of antibodies against rHuEPO, which neutralize not only the recombinant protein, but also native erythropoietin, resulting in the absence of red cell precursors in the bone marrow.
What is caused by a deficiency of erythropoietin?
Low levels of erythropoietin occur when someone is suffering from chronic kidney diseases. Low red blood cell counts cause anemia; symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath, increased heart rate, and dizziness.
What drugs can cause red cell aplasia?
With these criteria, phenytoin, azathioprine, and isoniazid had sufficient evidence of causality. All three are documented causes of PRCA and should be considered in any case of selective erythrocyte aplasia.
How does erythropoietin stimulate red blood cell production?
Central to this mechanism is erythropoietin (EPO), a cytokine secreted by the kidney in response to low blood oxygen tension. Circulating EPO binds its cognate receptor (EPOR) on bone marrow erythroid progenitors, triggering multiple signaling pathways that support differentiation into mature RBCs.
What is RBC aplasia?
General Discussion. Acquired Pure Red Cell Aplasia is a rare bone marrow disorder characterized by an isolated decline of red blood cells (erythrocytes) produced by the bone marrow. Affected individuals may experience fatigue, lethargy, and/or abnormal paleness of the skin (pallor).
What are the effects of the hormone erythropoietin on red cell development and maturation?
Erythropoietin stimulates the bone marrow to produce more red blood cells. The resulting rise in red cells increases the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. As the prime regulator of red cell production, erythropoietin’s major functions are to: Promote the development of red blood cells.
What causes decreased red blood cell production?
Certain diseases — such as cancer, HIV / AIDS , rheumatoid arthritis, kidney disease, Crohn’s disease and other acute or chronic inflammatory diseases — can interfere with the production of red blood cells. Aplastic anemia. This rare, life-threatening anemia occurs when your body doesn’t produce enough red blood cells.
What is pure cell aplasia?
How is pure red cell aplasia diagnosis?
A computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest may be done to look for a thymoma. A lymphocyte count in the blood will show whether or not you have a lymphocyte leukemia that may be causing pure red cell aplasia. Measuring the monoclonal proteins in the blood checks the adequacy of the immunosystem.