Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells prevent the apoptosis of neuron-like PC12 cells via erythropoietin expression

► The PC12 cells apoptosis was increased under hypoxia condition mimicked by CoCl2. ► Coculture of BM-MSCs with PC12 cells significantly decreased cell apoptosis. ► CoCl2 induced upregulation of EPO expression in BM-MSCs. ► EPOsiRNA inhibited the expression of EPO and cytoprotective effect of BM-MSCs. ► The expression of EPO is required for BM-MSCs-mediated cytoprotective effect.