Elevated Levels of Growth/Differentiation Factor-15 in the Aqueous Humor and Serum of Glaucoma Patients

Abstract

Dysregulated levels of growth/differentiation factor-15 (GDF15), a divergent member of the transforming growth factor-beta super family, have been found to be associated with the pathology of various diseases. In this study, we evaluated the levels of GDF15 in aqueous humor (AH) and serum samples derived from primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and age- and gender-matched non-glaucoma (cataract) patients to assess the plausible association between GDF15 and POAG. GDF15 levels were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and data analysis was performed using the Wilcoxon rank sum test, or the Kruskal–Wallis test and linear regression. GDF15 levels in the AH (n = 105) of POAG patients were significantly elevated (by 7.4-fold) compared to cataract patients (n = 117). Serum samples obtained from a subgroup of POAG patients (n = 41) also showed a significant increase in GDF15 levels (by 50%) compared to cataract patients. GDF15 levels were elevated in male, female, African American, and Caucasian POAG patients. This study reveals a significant and marked elevation of GDF15 levels in the AH of POAG patients compared to non-glaucoma cataract control patients. Although serum GDF15 levels were also elevated in POAG patients, the magnitude of difference was much smaller relative to that found in the AH.

Gene regulatory roles of growth and differentiation factors in retinal development

“… 23 Somewhat surprisingly, GDF-15 is upregulated in RGCs following optic nerve injury as part of a putative neuroprotective response, 24 as well as in RGCs of glaucomatous rodents 25 and human glaucoma patients. 25 , 26 In light of the contrasting actions of GDF-11 and GDF-15 on RGC differentiation, we aim to investigate the single-cell profile of these two family members in an ex vivo culture model.…”

It Is All about Pressure

“…are known; however, factors associated with the manifestation of the disease have yet to be discovered. Maddala et al addressed this lacuna by looking at the levels of growth/differential factor-15 (GDF15) in the AH and serum samples in patients with glaucoma and age-and gender-matched controls [19]. The study showed significant and important serum and AH levels of GDF15 in patients with POAG when compared to controls.…”