title: [Effects of growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) on neurological systems, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer progression].
abstract: Growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) is a member of the transforming growth factor beta superfamily. GDF-15 expression is dramatically upregulated during acute brain injury, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and inflammation, suggesting its potential value as a disease biomarker. It has been suggested that GDF-15 has neurotropic effects in the nervous system. Our studies showed that GDF-15 modulated the expression of neuronal K+and Ca2+ion channels and increased the release of excitatory transmitter in the medial prefrontal cortex of mice. GDF-15 is also involved in the complex modulation of cancer and cardiovascular disease. Here, we reviewed studies involving the modulation of GDF-15 expression and its mechanisms, the primary pathological and physiological functions of GDF-15 in neurological and cardiovascular systems, and its role in cancer progression. The biological effects and the values of GDF-15 in basic research and clinical applications were also addressed.
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China.
authors.forename: Dong-Dong
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China. yamei@fudan.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Yan-Ai
authors.initials: YA
authors.lastname: Mei
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000378:metabolism; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D055436:Growth Differentiation Factor 15 / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation; D051379:Mice; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009420:Nervous System / Q000378:metabolism*; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000378:metabolism; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000378:metabolism; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D015854:Up-Regulation
chemical_list: D015220:Calcium Channels; D055436:Growth Differentiation Factor 15; D015221:Potassium Channels; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta