Growth Differentiation Factor 15 Elevation in the Central Nervous System Is Associated With Failure to Thrive in Alexander Disease
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Alexander disease (AxD) is a severe neurodegenerative disorder caused by gain-of-function mutations in the gene for GFAP, which lead to protein aggregation and a primary astrocytopathy. Symptoms vary, but failure to thrive (FTT) and frequent emesis are common and cause significant morbidity. Here we investigate GDF15, a member of the TGFβ superfamily, which regulates energy balance and appetite, as a potential mediator of FTT in AxD. METHODS: rat model (R237H), in which pups fail to gain weight after weaning and become frail and impaired as they mature, to assess muscle atrophy, energy expenditure, and feeding behavior in AxD. We measure GDF15 in brain and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), assess activation of its receptor GFRAL in area postrema neurons, and use GFAP suppression to correlate FTT phenotypes with GDF15 expression. Finally, we measure GDF15 in patients with AxD. RESULTS: R237H rats show reduced lean and fat mass and muscle atrophy despite reduced energy expenditure, and at an early age exhibit pica and anorexia. GDF15 is expressed by R237H rat astrocytes and is elevated in brainstem and CSF, but not in plasma. Neurons expressing GFRAL, a mediator of GDF15-induced appetite suppression, are activated in the area postrema. Suppression of GFAP using antisense oligonucleotides normalizes weight gain and GDF15 levels in brainstem and CSF. In human AxD, GDF15 is elevated in CSF, but not in blood. INTERPRETATION: GDF15 is associated with FTT in AxD and provides both a target and useful biomarker for the development of future therapeutics.
DOI: 10.1002/acn3.70209
Language: English
Topic: GDF15 and Related Biomarkers
Subfield: Rheumatology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $4,100
Funders: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Aging, National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Department of Surgery, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Awards: G1332332826, G226283463, G2578633385, G2578853757, G2612725846, Alexander disease: mechanisms, modifiers, and therapeutics, G3818147302, G3827370146, G4188470191, Safer mTOR inhibition for human geroprotection, G42610423, G4755141327, Coordinating and Bioinformatics Unit for the MMPC/DiaComp, The regulation of health and longevity by branched-chain amino acids, The regulation of health and longevity by branched-chain amino acids, G6207920146, Coordinating Unit for DiaComp, G6733044160, G7667824514, G7770927085, G8036715400, G8047780223, The regulation of health and longevity by branched-chain amino acids, G8464745751, G8513121114, Astrocyte-synapse interactions in a rat model of Alexander disease, Dietary regulation of the hepatic epigenome, UW Comprehensive Cancer Center Support, The regulation of cancer and aging by methionine, Waisman Center Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Integrating spatial transcriptomics and single cell RNA-sequencing to mechanistically define bariatric surgery's impact on Alzheimer's Disease, Translational analysis of a novel intervention to promote healthy aging., Failure to thrive in Alexander disease, Understanding the roles of prolonged fasting, calorie intake, and mTORC1 in the response to calorie restriction, Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Wisconsin Nathan Shock Center
OpenAlex ID: W4414675277