The main difference between erythropoietin and recombinant erythropoietin is that erythropoietin is a glycoprotein hormone produced by the peritubular cells of the kidney, whereas recombinant erythropoietin is an erythropoietin stimulating agent, produced pharmacologically.
Erythropoietin and recombinant erythropoietin are two types of agents required to produce red blood cells.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Erythropoietin
– Definition, Facts, Importance
2. What is Recombinant Erythropoietin (rhEPO)
– Definition, Facts, Importance
3. Similarities Between Erythropoietin and Recombinant Erythropoietin
– Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Erythropoietin and Recombinant Erythropoietin
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Analogous Erythropoietin-Stimulating Agents, Erythropoietin, EPO, Recombinant Erythropoietin, rhEPO
What is Erythropoietin
Erythropoietin (EPO) is a 30.4 kDa glycoprotein hormone composed of 165 amino acid residues attached to four glycans. The kidney is the primary source of erythropoietin. Also, hypoxia-inducible transcription factors (HIFs) control the synthesis of erythropoietin. Importantly, erythropoietin is an important hormone for the viability and proliferation of erythrocytic progenitors. Under normal conditions, it maintains the hemoglobin concentration of the blood constant. Bone marrow produces 2.5 million reticulocytes per second. Also, the life span of red blood cells in the circulation is 100-120 days. Macrophages in bone marrow, liver, and spleen engulf old red blood cells.
Figure 1: Erythropoiesis
Furthermore, erythropoietin deficiency is the primary cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) anemia. Before the availability of recombinant erythropoietin, 25% of CKD patients underwent blood transfusion. However, blood transfusion is risky due to the transmission of infectious diseases, transfusion-related blood injury, and chronic hemolytic transfusion injuries.
What Recombinant Erythropoietin
Recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) or analogous erythropoietin-stimulating agents (ESAs) are important substances for stimulating red blood cell production in humans. Examples of ESAs include darbepoetin, epoetin alfa, epoetin beta and methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta. Both rhEPOs and ESAs serve as stimulating agents of the red blood cells. Erythropoietin alpha or epoetin alpha is a type of human erythropoietin produced in cell cultures. Therefore, it is a recombinant type of human erythropoietin. The main function of the erythropoietin alpha is to stimulate the production of red blood cells or erythropoiesis. Since erythropoietin alpha increases the red blood cell count, it treats anemia commonly associated with chronic kidney failure and cancer chemotherapy.
Figure 2: Red Blood Cells
Moreover, erythropoietin beta or epoetin beta is the recombinant form of human erythropoietin. Generally, erythropoietin is a hormone produced in the kidney, and it is important for stimulating the production of red blood cells. Chinese hamster ovary cells produce recombinant erythropoietin called erythropoietin beta. The main function of the erythropoietin beta is to serve as an erythropoiesis-stimulating agent. NeoRecormon is the brand name of erythropoietin beta that is important in treating anemia associated with chronic kidney failure.
Similarities Between Erythropoietin and Recombinant Erythropoietin
- Erythropoietin and recombinant erythropoietin are two substances responsible for the production of red blood cells.
Difference Between Erythropoietin and Recombinant Erythropoietin
Definition
Erythropoietin refers to a hormone secreted by the kidneys that increases the production rate of red blood cells in response to falling levels of oxygen in the tissues. In contrast, recombinant erythropoietin refers to the recombinant versions of EPO produced pharmacologically via recombinant DNA technology in cell cultures.
Type
Erythropoietin is a glycoprotein hormone, while recombinant erythropoietin is an erythropoietin-stimulating agent such as darbepoetin, epoetin alfa, and methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta.
Production
Erythropoietin is produced by the peritubular cells of the kidney, while recombinant erythropoietic is produced pharmacologically.
Importance
Erythropoietin stimulates red blood cell production, while recombinant erythropoietin is important in impaired red blood cell production.
Conclusion
In brief, erythropoietin and recombinant erythropoietin are two substances that stimulate red blood cell production in humans. Erythropoietin is a glycoprotein that serves as a hormone, stimulating the production of red blood cells. It is produced by the peritubular cells of the kidney. In comparison, recombinant erythropoietin is an erythropoietin-stimulating agent, including darbepoetin, epoetin alfa, and methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta. They are given in impaired red blood cell production. Therefore, the main difference between erythropoietin and recombinant erythropoietin is their type and importance.
References:
- Jelkmann W. Physiology and pharmacology of erythropoietin. Transfus Med Hemother. 2013 Oct;40(5):302-9. doi: 10.1159/000356193. Epub 2013 Jul 19. PMID: 24273483; PMCID: PMC3822280.
- Schoener B, Borger J. Erythropoietin Stimulating Agents. [Updated 2023 Mar 11]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-.
Image Courtesy:
- “EPO Hämatopoese” By Jamiri – Own work (CC-BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
- “Blausen 0761 RedBloodCells” By BruceBlaus. – Own Work (CC-BY SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
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