Discovery that the hormone erythropoietin (EPO) and its receptor play a significant biological
role in tissues outside of the hematopoietic system has fueled significant interest in EPO as a
novel cytoprotective agent in both neuronal and vascular systems. Erythropoietin is now
considered to have applicability in a variety of disorders that include cerebral ischemia,
myocardial infarction, and chronic congestive heart failure. Erythropoietin modulates a broad
array of cellular processes that include progenitor stem cell development, cellular integrity …