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A Double-Edged Sword: GDF15

Fri, 08/22/2014 - 11:04


Bone morphogenetic proteins such as GDF15 belong to the transforming growth factor-beta (TGFB) family that directs tissue differentiation and maintenance. GDF15 appears to be involved in a variety of physiological processes such as pregnancy, injury and inflammation, and apoptosis. Evidence suggests GDF15 is a marker for metastasis. A Swiss group profiled expression of GDF15 via RT-PCR and immunoblotting with the GDF15 antibody in mouse and human glioma cell lines to better correlate tumor grade with proliferative capability and immunogenicity1. Their data clearly showed that endogenous levels of GDF15 cause proliferation and immune escape of glioma cells. Tabrizi et al performed similar profiling studies with the GDF15 antibody in primary ovarian mucinous carcinomas of the intestine2. Based on their studies, they suggest that current and updated diagnostic criteria and standards for borderline cases are sufficient.

Immunohistochemistry-Paraffin: GDF15 Antibody Immunohistochemistry-Paraffin: GDF15 Antibody

Immunohistochemistry and microarrays done in colorectal cancer (CRC) patient samples with the GDF15 antibody appear to validate GDF15 as a negative prognostic marker for both recurrence risk and overall survival3. Preliminary studies out of Suesskind’s group in Germany suggest that GDF15 may also serve as a novel serum marker for uveal melanoma metastases4. This group used GDF15 antibody in their ELISA and immunohistochemistry experiments, and believe GDF15 may predict early metastases in a disease where half of patients develop metastases during disease progression. Interestingly, GDF15 may also have a role in idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH), as the GDF15 antibody allowed Nickel’s group to validate increased GDF15 expression within vascular endothelial cells in diseased lungs5.

Novus Biologicals offers GDF15 reagents for your research needs including:

PMIDs

  1. 20534737
  2. 20173494
  3. 21468045
  4. 21881845
  5. 21548946

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