Work

Erythropoietin impacts immune adaptation through myeloid-cell programming

Year: 2026

Type: review

Abstract: The immune system balances protective immunity against pathogens with tolerance to self and selected foreign antigens. Emerging evidence identifies erythropoietin (EPO) as a systemic immunoregulatory signal that links physiological stress to immune adaptation. Beyond its canonical role in erythropoiesis, EPO-EPO receptor (EPOR) signaling reprograms specialized myeloid cells, including macrophages and type 1 conventional dendritic cells (cDC1s), promoting efferocytosis, inflammatory restraint, and maturation-associated cDC1 fate. Through these mechanisms, EPO shapes antigen-specific T-cell responses across transplantation and cancer. We propose that the EPO-EPOR axis functions as a systemic regulator of immune adaptation through myeloid-cellprogramming.

Source: Trends in Immunology

DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2026.08.014

Authors: Xiangyue Zhang, Edgar G. Engleman

Institutions: Stanford Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford Cancer Institute

Language: English

Topic: Erythropoietin and Anemia Treatment

Subfield: Hematology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $7,030