A study of erythropoiesis inhibitory factors in chronic renal failure sera

Summary: Three separate high molecular weight fractions, designated as FI, FII and FIII, were isolated from sera of chronic renal failure (CRF) patients by precipitate with ammonium sulfate of different concentrations and DEAE celluose. All fractions had obvious suppressive effect on red blood cell growth, both erythroid colony (CFU-E) and BFU-E in vitro , but the maximal inhibitory rate that may be found in Fl or in FII and FIII depends entirely on individuals. the study also showed that none of these fractions was a homogeneous substance in SDS-PAGE electrophoresis. As well, a close correlationship between serum erythropoietin level and the inhibitory rate of the isolated fractions was observed. It is suggested that the inhibitory factors might exist in CRF sera and play a role in triggering the anaemia of CFR.