GDF15 as a biomarker of ageing

• DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2021.111228
• Publication Date: 2021-01-08T13:03:00Z
• Authors: Huan Liu; Yun Huang; Yongnan Lyu; Wen Dai; Yongqing Tong; Yan Li
• Keywords: GDF15

Abstract Background: The aging process is accompanied by the gradual development of chronic systemic inflammation (inflamm-aging). Growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) is associated with inflammation and known to be a stress-induced factor. The present study aimed to explore the association of GDF-15 with aging.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, serum GDF-15, hematological parameters, and biomedical parameters were determined in 120 healthy individuals (23-83 years old, males). Three telomere related parameters, including telomere length, telomerase activity, and the expression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) mRNA were also quantified.Results: The older group has a higher levels of GDF-15 and lower expression of hTERT mRNA, and PBMC telomerase activity (p<0.001). In individuals with high GDF-15 levels, they were older, and presented with the lower level of hTERT mRNA and T/S ratio (p<0.01). Spearman correlation analysis shows that GDF-15 positively correlated with age (r=0.664, p<0.001), and negatively correlated with telomere length (r=-0.434, p<0.001), telomerase activity (r=-0.231, p=0.012), and hTERT mRNA (r=-0.206, p=0.024). Furthermore, in multivariate regression analysis, GDF-15 levels showed a statistically significant linear and negative relationship with PBMC telomerase activity (β-coefficient=-0.583, 95% CI -1.044 to -0.122, p=0.014), telomere length (β-coefficient=-0.200, 95% CI -0.305 to -0.094, p<0.001), and hTERT mRNA (β-coefficient=-0.207, 95% CI -0.312 to -0.102, p<0.001) after adjusting for confounders.Conclusions: In conclusion, our results show that circulating GDF-15 is the potential biomarkers of aging that may influence the risk and progression of multiple aging conditions.