Growth differentiation factor 15 in cardiovascular diseases: from bench to bedside

• Published in: Biomarkers Vol. 16; no. 6; pp. 466 - 475
• Main Authors: Xu, Xinye, Li, Zijian, Gao, Wei
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Informa Healthcare 01.09.2011; Taylor & Francis
• Subjects: Acute Coronary Syndrome - diagnosis; Acute Coronary Syndrome - mortality; Acute Coronary Syndrome - pathology; Bibliography as Topic; Biomarkers - metabolism; Cardiotonic Agents - metabolism; Cardiotonic Agents - pharmacology; cardiovascular disease; Clinical Trials as Topic; GDF-15; Growth Differentiation Factor 15 - genetics; Growth Differentiation Factor 15 - metabolism; Growth Differentiation Factor 15 - pharmacology; Heart Failure - diagnosis; Heart Failure - mortality; Heart Failure - pathology; Humans; Myocardial Infarction - diagnosis; Myocardial Infarction - mortality; Myocardial Infarction - pathology; myocardial protection; Plaque, Atherosclerotic - diagnosis; Plaque, Atherosclerotic - mortality; Plaque, Atherosclerotic - pathology; Prognosis; Reperfusion Injury - diagnosis; Reperfusion Injury - mortality; Reperfusion Injury - pathology; Risk Factors; Signal Transduction; Survival Rate; Ventricular Remodeling
• ISSN: 1354-750X; 1366-5804; 1366-5804
• DOI: 10.3109/1354750X.2011.580006

Context: Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) is a novel cytokine showing close association with cardiovascular diseases. The biological mechanism and clinical use of GDF-15 in cardiovascular diseases have been well demonstrated. We review recent investigations from both basic research and clinical trials into the biological role of GDF-15. Methods: The data were obtained mainly from MedLine via PubMed and from our own investigations. Results: Laboratory investigations revealed that GDF-15 has biphasic effects on cellular survival by several signaling pathways. GDF-15 participates in several cardiovascular pathological processes such as cardiac remodeling, ischemia/reperfusion injury and atherosclerotic plaque formation. As well, GDF-15 was found a prognostic biomarker of heart failure and acute coronary syndrome. The evidence for diagnostic or therapeutic utility is poor. Conclusion: GDF-15 has great potential as a biomarker in cardiovascular diseases, especially for prognosis, and is seen as a myocardial protective cytokine, but the exact mechanism of GDF-15 in cardiovascular diseases remains unknown.