Asialoerythropoietin Exerts Stronger Angiogenic Activity than Erythropoietin Via its Binding Affinity to Tissue

Purpose Although erythropoietin (EPO) is known to express angiogenic and cardioprotective effects, it also induces hypertension, polycythemia, and platelet activation, which may cause serious adverse effects in patients with cardiovascular diseases. We compared the angiogenic effects of EPO and its nonerythropoietic derivative, asialo-EPO (AEPO).