GDF15: A central question in physiology is how different organs communicate with each other to maintain whole-organism homeostasis.  Research in the past 20 years revealed that non-glandular organs such as adipose tissue, liver and skeletal muscle can secrete hormones that regulate whole-body metabolism.  In contrast, little is known regarding heart-derived hormones save for ANP and BNP, each discovered over 30 years ago.  We recently discovered that Growth Differentiation Factor 15 (GDF15) is a new heart-derived hormone.  Circulating GDF15 acts on the liver to inhibit growth hormone signaling and body growth.  Plasma GDF15 is increased in children with concomitant heart disease and failure to thrive (FTT).  Our results explain a well-established clinical observation that children with heart diseases often develop FTT. 

We are currently using unbiased chemical and computational biology approaches (proximity labeling, etc.) to identify and study new heart-derived hormones in physiology and disease.

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