WCN26-5949 Clinical and Pathophysiological Significance of Urinary GDF-15 in Patients with Acute Kidney Injury

Growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) is a stress-responsive cytokine belonging to the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily. Under physiological conditions, GDF-15 is highly expressed in the placenta, prostate, and bladder. Elevated circulating GDF-15 levels have been reported in various chronic inflammatory and metabolic disorders. In the kidney, GDF-15 is mainly expressed in tubular epithelial cells, and its expression increases during renal injury, suggesting potential renoprotective effects.