The research advances of GDF15 in the pulmonary diseases

Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) is a stress response protein, which belongs to the super family of transforming growth factor beta.GDF15 is widely expressed in tissues, such as high expression in the prostate and placenta, and weak expression in the lung.The expression of GDF15 is significantly increased in the circumstance of stress or pathology.In the lung, GDF15 is secreted by macrophages, vascular endothelial cells, alveolar and bronchial epithelial cells.Recent studies have shown that GDF15 is closely related to the development and prognosis of lung diseases.This article reviews the latest research on GDF15 in the development of lung diseases. Key words: Growth differentiation factor; Lung diseases