GDF15因子在代谢、衰老和炎症相关疾病中的作用

GDF15蛋白是TGF-β超家族的成员,在多种组织中都表达。但是生理条件下其表达水平较低,而随着衰老的发生、运动或压力的刺激,GDF15蛋白的表达水平明显增加。GDF15主要通过其唯一报道受体GFRAL促进细胞内脂肪酸β氧化和脂质分解缓解脂肪肝等的发展,同时也降低机体的食物摄入量从而抑制肥胖。而衰老过程中,GDF15主要作为炎症因子,调控衰老和纤维化相关疾病的发生。然而,GDF15是血液循环因子,其作用的靶细胞广泛,通过不同信号传导作用引起细胞发生多种效应。本文主要通过概述GDF15蛋白的结构以及其在生理和病理条件下参与的调控作用,为临床上以GDF15为靶点的疾病治疗提供理论依据。

The role of GDF15 in metabolism, aging and inflammation-related diseases

GDF15 (Growth Differentiation Factor 15) cytokine is a member of the TGF-β superfamily, widely expressed in tissues. Under physiological conditions, the expression level of GDF15 is low. However, during with aging, exercise or stress stimulation, the GDF15 level is significantly increased. GDF15 binds its only reporter GFRAL to induce the intracellular fatty acids β Oxidation and lipolysis, followed by alleviating the development of fatty liver and inhibiting obesity with decreased body"s food intake. With gradual age, GDF15 is considered as an inflammatory factor for contributing to fibrosis and age-related diseases. As a circulatory factor, GDF15 can act its target cells in all tissues and result cellular response with different signaling pathway. In this review, we summarize the structure, function, and underlying mechanisms of GDF15 in physiological and pathological conditions, for providing potential strategy of the intervention on GDF15-related diseases in clinic.