Growth/differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) was first identified as Macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1 or MIC-1.
It is a protein belonging to the
transforming growth factor beta superfamily. Under normal conditions, GDF-15 is expressed in low concentrations in most organs and upregulated because of injury of organs such as
liver
The liver is a major organ only found in vertebrates which performs many essential biological functions such as detoxification of the organism, and the synthesis of proteins and biochemicals necessary for digestion and growth. In humans, it i ...
,
kidney
The kidneys are two reddish-brown bean-shaped organs found in vertebrates. They are located on the left and right in the retroperitoneal space, and in adult humans are about in length. They receive blood from the paired renal arteries; blo ...
,
heart
The heart is a muscular Organ (biology), organ in most animals. This organ pumps blood through the blood vessels of the circulatory system. The pumped blood carries oxygen and nutrients to the body, while carrying metabolic waste such as ca ...
and
lung
The lungs are the primary organs of the respiratory system in humans and most other animals, including some snails and a small number of fish. In mammals and most other vertebrates, two lungs are located near the backbone on either side of ...
.
The function of GDF-15 is not fully clear but it seems to have a role in regulating
inflammatory pathways and to be involved in regulating apoptosis, angiogenesis, cell repair and cell growth, which are biological processes observed in cardiovascular and neoplastic disorders.
GDF-15 has shown to be a strong prognostic protein in patients with different diseases such as heart diseases and cancer.
Metformin
Metformin, sold under the brand name Glucophage, among others, is the main first-line medication for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, particularly in people who are overweight. It is also used in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome. ...
was shown to cause increased levels of GDF-15. This increase mediates the effect of body weight loss by metformin.
A monoclonal antibody (mAB1) that neutralizes circulating GDF-15 is being tested in mice and non-human primates as a potential treatment for cancer-related
cachexia
Cachexia () is a complex syndrome associated with an underlying illness, causing ongoing muscle loss that is not entirely reversed with nutritional supplementation. A range of diseases can cause cachexia, most commonly cancer, congestive heart fa ...
.
References
External links
GDF 15 in Oncology*
Developmental genes and proteins
TGFβ domain
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