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Updated: Apr 17, 2026

A 3D Organotypic Melanoma Spheroid Skin Model
Published on: May 18, 2018
The divergent roles of growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) in benign and malignant skin pathologies
Betül Ünal1, Sevil Alan, Cumhur İbrahim Başsorgun
1Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey, betulunalmd@gmail.com.
Abstract:
GDF-15 (Growth Differentiation Factor-15) is a member of the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) superfamily. GDF-15 is not only involved in cancer development, progression, angiogenesis and metastasis, but also controls stress responses, bone formation, hematopoietic development, adipose tissue function and cardiovascular diseases. GDF-15, which is regulated by p53, has shown antitumorigenic and proapoptotic activities in vivo and in vitro. Also, GDF-15 is involved in skin biology and histamine-induced melanogenesis; it is overexpressed in melanoma cells and is associated with depth of tumor invasion and metastasis. GDF-15 level is increased in patients with systemic sclerosis and is related with the degree of skin sclerosis and intensity of pulmonary fibrosis. In the future, GDF-15 may be a potential target for therapy in benign disorders with skin fibrosis and malignant lesions of the skin.
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