Erythropoietin Directly Affects Human Macrophage Functionality.

Objective: We studied direct effects of Erythropoietin (Epo) on functional properties of human monocytes/macrophages (Mc/Mphs) in vitro.

Methods: Cells expressing CD14 marker were isolated from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) by positive magnetic separation. Mc/Mphs were cultured without or with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the absence or presence of Epo for 24 h.