SUMMARY

For the past two decades Growth Differentiation Factor-15 (GDF-15) has been studied in detail in various biological processes such as cell survival, erythropoiesis as well as in cachexia.

This biomarker plays an important role in tight homeostatic regulations in response to cellular stress, especially within the vascular system. The human GDF-15 gene is located on chromosome 19p12–19p13.1. Polymorphisms of GDF-15 gene are known to cause fluctuations in serum concentrations of this biomarker, their overall prevalence is measured at 27 %. High concentrations are measured in multiple organs such as the placenta, prostate, colon, kidneys and the liver. However GDF-15 is also present in additional 14 other tissue types including the lungs parenchyma. Low concentrations have been measured in lymph nodes, testes, brain, bone marrow, heart and skin. Normal concentrations of GDF-15 in serum are defined to be between 200 – 1150 pg/mL, yet the levels of GDF-15 increase with age. Prolonged elevation of GDF-15 levels correlates with multiple chronic medical conditions including exacerbations of chronic obstrucitve pulmonary disease. Moreover, elevated GDF-15 levels have also been noted in multiple critical illness states. Finally, the role of GDF-15 is currently being investigated in elucidating regulation mechanisms of pathogen induced host cell immune responses.
Key words: GDF-15, biomarkers, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Lek Obz, 2022, 71 (3): 108-110

František SÁNDOR 1, Juraj PAYER 2, Milan KRIŠKA 3, Fedor ŠIMKO 4, Andrej DUKÁT 2

1 Klinika pneumológie a ftizeológie LF UK a UNB v Bratislave, prednosta MUDr. M. Hájková, PhD., MPH
2 V.interná klinika LF UK a UNB v Bratislave, prednosta prof. MUDr. J. Payer, PhD., MPH, FRCP
3 Ústav farmakológie a klinickej farmakológie LF UK v Bratislave, prednosta prof. MUDr. M. Wawruch, PhD.
4 Ústav patologickej fyziológie LF UK v Bratislave, prednosta prof. MUDr. F. Šimko, PhD., FESC

Cite:
SÁNDOR F., PAYER J., KRIŠKA M., ŠIMKO F., DUKÁT A.: Growth differentiation factor 15 – a perspective biomarker in pneumology and invasive pneumology. Lek Obz, 2022, 71 (3): 108-110