Sevil Alan
Akdeniz University School of Medicine
Turkey
Title: Growth Differentiation Factor-15 (GDF-15) or Macrophage Inhibitory Cytokine-1 (MIC-1) in skin diseases
Biography
Biography: Sevil Alan
Abstract
GDF-15 (Growth Differentiation Factor-15)/ Macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1 (MIC-1) is a member of the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) superfamily. TGF-β/bone morphogenetic protein/growth differentiation factor family proteins are important regulators of cellular physiological processes, including cell survival, proliferation, differentiation, migration, and apoptosis. GDF-15 is has been reported to exhibit both tumorigenic and antitumorigenic activities. GDF-15 is regulated by p53 and highly expressed in melanoma cells. Furthermore GDF-15 is associated with oxidative stress, inflammation and histamine-induced melanogenesis. Some studies showed that GDF-15 level is increased in patients with systemic sclerosis and is related with the extent of skin sclerosis. Therefore measurement of serum GDF-15 may be useful for risk stratification in early disease stage. In the future, GDF-15/MIC-1 may be suitable for development as a serum diagnostic and is a possible target for the treatment of benign and malign skin diseases.