Protein GDF11 – friend or foe?

RNDr. Jan Fröhlich, Ph.D. and Manlio Vinciguerra, Ph.D., MSc of the Epigenetics, Metabolism and Aging Research Team, published a successful review in the journal Geroscience summarizing current knowledge on the effects of GDF11 on the development and progression of fibrotic lesions (scar tissue) in various organ systems.

In recent years, the GDF11 protein has received considerable attention as a molecule with the ability to “rejuvenate” the body and help regenerate and improve the function of muscles, heart, pancreas, liver and brain. However, a number of new studies have refuted, contradicted, and described the serious negative side effects of GDF11 administration in laboratory rodents. “The benefit of these studies, as well as ours, is that they point to excessive extracellular deposition in most organs caused by GDF11 protein, which leads to the development of fibrotic foci and further progression may lead to reduced or even loss of organ function, ” said Jan Fröhlich.

Due to commercial efforts to patent and introduce “rejuvenating” therapies using GDF11 protein, there is a need to investigate in detail and summarize any negative side effects that may occur and damage the health of patients undergoing therapy. “For now, this is the first small step and another must follow,” added Jan Fröhlich. “In particular, these should be large-scale in vivo studies that seek to identify any positive but, above all, any potential adverse effects that may occur with the administration of this protein to patients.”

You can read it here.