title: The multiple facets of the TGF-β family cytokine growth/differentiation factor-15/macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1.
abstract: GDF-15 (also MIC-1, NAG-1, PLAB, PTGFB) is a member of the TGF-β superfamily, which is widely distributed in mammalian tissues and has been shown to play multiple roles in various pathologies, including inflammation, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and obesity. GDF-15 serum levels are a highly reliable predictor of disease progression. Both the anti-tumorigenic potential of GDF-15 and its capacity to promote metastasis have been documented for a large variety of cancers, yet its opposing functions, which are typical for members of the TGF-β superfamily, have only partly been resolved on the molecular level. Knowledge on physiological functions in the non-diseased organism is scarce. In the nervous system GDF-15 knockout analyses have revealed that GDF-15 is essential for the postnatal maintenance of various neuron populations. When applied exogenously GDF-15 is a powerful factor for promoting survival of developing and lesioned neurons in vitro and in vivo. Receptor activation by GDF-15 has only been partially resolved.
authors.affiliation: Anatomy & Cell Biology, Department of Molecular Embryology, University of Freiburg, Albertstr. 17, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany. Electronic address: ku39@anat.uni-freiburg.de.
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Unsicker
authors.forename: Björn
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Spittau
authors.forename: Kerstin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Krieglstein
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D055436:Growth Differentiation Factor 15 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation; D051379:Mice; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism; D009765:Obesity / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta
chemical_list: D055436:Growth Differentiation Factor 15; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta
keywords: Cancer; Cardiovascular disease; Inflammation; Metabolism; Neurotrophic factors