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Erythropoietin (Epo) is a pleiotropic cytokine, essential for erythropoiesis. Epo and its receptor (Epo-R) are produced by several tissues and it is now admitted that Epo displays other physiological functions than red blood cell synthesis. Indeed, Epo provides cytoprotective effects, which consist in prevention or fight against pathological processes. This perspective article reviews the various protective effects of Epo in several organs and tries to give a proof of concept about its effects in the lung. The tissue-protective effects of Epo could be a promising approach to limit the symptoms of acute and chronic lung diseases. • Epo and derivatives provide cytoprotective effects. • High dose of Epo displays adverse effects leading to using derivatives. • Cytoprotective effects are well described in various organs. • Epo could display protective effects in lungs as expression of EPO-R is observed in bronchiolar epithelial cells and AEC-II. • Epo could be considered as a potential protective agent in lung injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to compare the different ventilatory strategies that help in coping with hypoxic–hypercapnia environment among two species: use acclimated rats and plateau pikas ( Ochotona curzoniae ) that live in Tibetan plateaus, and have been well adjusted to high altitude. Arterial blood samples taken at 4100 m of elevation in acclimatized rats and adapted pikas revealed inter-species differences with lower hemoglobin and hematocrit and higher blood pH in pikas. A linear and significant increase in minute ventilation was observed in pikas, which help them to cope with hypoxic–hypercapnia. Pikas also displayed a high inspiratory drive and an invariant respiratory timing regardless of the conditions. Biochemical analysis revealed that N-methyl- D -aspartate receptor (NMDA) receptor gene and nNOS gene are highly conserved between rats and pikas, however pikas have higher expression of NMDA receptors and nNOS compared to rats at the brainstem level. Taken together, these results suggest that pikas have developed a specific ventilatory pattern supported by a modification of the NMDA/NO ventilatory central pathways to survive in extreme conditions imposed on the Tibetan plateaus. These physiological adaptive strategies help in maintaining a better blood oxygenation despite high CO 2 concentration in burrows at high altitude. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]