The neurotrophic effects of EPO on primary DRG neurons are mediated via EPOR.

<p>Neurotrophic effects induced by EPO are abolished by co-incubation with soluble EPOR (10 µg/ml; sEpoR) (A), and also significantly inhibited by anti-EPOR blocking Abs (5 µg/ml) (B). (C) EPO induces tyrosine-phosphorylation of several proteins in primary DRG cultures and protein migration corresponding to JAK2, STAT5, and EPOR. (D<b>)</b> EPO induces phosphorylation of STAT5 in DRG cultures. (E<b>)</b> JAK2 inhibitor (AG490; 25 µM) itself did not affect neurite outgrowth in DRG cultures, however, it did prevent enhancement of EPO-induced neurite outgrowth of DRG neurons. Control (Ctrl) = Vehicle {1X PBS for EPO; DMSO (0.0005%) for AG490} + medium. * <i>p</i><0.01.