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Updated: May 28, 2026
A Simple Bioassay for the Evaluation of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
Published on: March 15, 2016
Relations of growth-differentiation factor-15 to biomarkers reflecting vascular pathologies in a population-based
Kai M Eggers1, Tibor Kempf, Lars Lind
1Department of Medical Sciences (Cardiology and Clinical Chemistry) and Clinical Research Center, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden. kai.eggers@ucr.uu.se
Insights
Growth-differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) indicates vascular inflammation and endothelial activation in the elderly. This finding suggests GDF-15 may play a role in atherosclerosis development and progression.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Biomarkers
- Gerontology
Background:
- Growth-differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) is a known predictor of cardiac disease risk.
- Its association with cardiovascular risk factors, inflammation, and cardiac abnormalities is established.
- However, its role in vascular pathologies remained unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between GDF-15 and various biomarkers of vascular health.
- To determine if GDF-15 is associated with endothelial activation, extracellular matrix degradation, coagulation, and fibrinolysis.
Main Methods:
- Circulating GDF-15 levels were measured in 1004 elderly individuals from the PIVUS study.
- Multiple linear regression analysis was used to assess relations between GDF-15 and biomarkers of endothelial activation, matrix degradation, coagulation, and fibrinolysis.
Main Results:
- GDF-15 showed significant correlations with biomarkers of endothelial activation (E-selectin, P-selectin, ICAM-1, VCAM-1), extracellular matrix degradation (MMP-9, TIMP-1), and fibrinolysis (PAI-1, tPA-antigen).
- A moderate relation was observed with von Willebrand factor, and weak but significant relations with other markers.
- These associations persisted after adjusting for clinical covariates and echocardiographic data.
Conclusions:
- In the elderly population, GDF-15 serves as a marker reflecting endothelial activation and vascular inflammation.
- These findings suggest GDF-15 is involved in multiple pathways contributing to atherosclerosis development and progression.
Background:
Growth-differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) has recently emerged as a risk predictor in patients with cardiac diseases. GDF-15 is commonly related to cardiovascular risk factors, inflammatory activity and cardiac abnormalities. However, it is not clear whether it might be an indicator of vascular pathologies as well.
Methods:
Circulating levels of GDF-15 were measured in 1004 elderly community dwellers participating in the PIVUS study. The relations of GDF-15 to biomarkers of endothelial activation (E-selectin, P-selectin, ICAM-1, VCAM-1), extracellular matrix degradation (MMP-9, TIMP-1), coagulatory activity (D-dimer, von Willebrand factor, prothrombin fragment 1 + 2, factor VIIa), and fibrinolytic activity (PAI-1 activity, tPA-antigen) were assessed by multiple linear regressions.
Results:
The median GDF-15 level was 1135 ng/L. By linear correlation analysis, GDF-15 exhibited a moderate relation to von Willebrand factor (r = 0.30), and weak, albeit significant relations (r = 0.13-0.29) to E-selectin, P-selectin, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, MMP-9, TIMP-1, D-dimer, PAI-1 activity and tPA-antigen. The relations to the assessed biomarkers of endothelial activation, TIMP-1, D-dimer and von Willebrand factor remained significant applying multiple linear regression models adjusted for clinical covariates and echocardiographic data. There were no significant relations between GDF-15 and biomarkers solely reflecting coagulatory activity.
Conclusions:
In the elderly, GDF-15 reflects endothelial activation and vascular inflammation and thus, multiple pathways involved in the development and progression of atherosclerosis.
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