Pathophysiological pathways related to high plasma growth differentiation factor 15 concentrations in patients with heart failure

Aims: Elevated concentrations of growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) in patients with heart failure (HF) have been consistently associated with worse clinical outcomes, but what disease mechanisms high GDF-15 concentrations represent remains unclear. Here, we aim to identify activated pathophysiological pathways related to elevated GDF-15 expression in patients with HF.

Methods and results: In 2279 patients with HF, we measured circulating levels of 363 biomarkers. Then, we performed a pathway over-representation analysis to identify key biological pathways between patients in the highest and lowest GDF-15 concentration quartiles. Data were validated in an independent cohort of 1705 patients with HF. In both cohorts, the strongest up-regulated biomarkers in those with high GDF-15 were fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23), death receptor 5 (TRAIL-R2), WNT1-inducible signalling pathway protein 1 (WISP-1), tumour necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 11a (TNFRSF11A), leucocyte immunoglobulin-like receptor subfamily B member 4 (LILRB4), and trefoil factor 3 (TFF3). Pathway over-representation analysis revealed that high GDF-15 patients had increased activity of pathways related to inflammatory processes, notably positive regulation of chemokine production; response to interleukin-6; tumour necrosis factor and death receptor activity; and positive regulation of T-cell differentiation and inflammatory response. Furthermore, we found pathways involved in regulation of insulin-like growth factor (IGF) receptor signalling and regulatory pathways of tissue, bones, and branching structures. GDF-15 quartiles significantly predicted all-cause mortality and HF hospitalization.

Conclusion: Patients with HF and high plasma concentrations of GDF-15 are characterized by increased activation of inflammatory pathways and pathways related to IGF-1 regulation and bone/tissue remodelling.