| Literature DB >> 23787157 |
Klaus Unsicker1, Björn Spittau, Kerstin Krieglstein.
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.Entities:
Keywords: Cancer; Cardiovascular disease; Inflammation; Metabolism; Neurotrophic factors
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Year: 2013 PMID： 23787157 DOI： 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2013.05.003
Source DB: PubMed Journal: Cytokine Growth Factor Rev ISSN： 1359-6101 Impact factor: 7.638