GDF-11
Growth Differentiation Factor 11 (BMP-11)
Evidence & Status
- Preliminary / Experimental
- Preliminary
At a Glance
A TGF-β family protein studied in contested, assay-sensitive aging research. Mouse findings vary by model, dose, and measurement approach; no verified human interventional evidence is established.
Plain English
Researchers study GDF-11 because it has been investigated in animal aging biology, but results vary across models, doses, and measurement methods. Human evidence here is observational quantification, not rejuvenation treatment evidence.
Overview
GDF-11 is a TGF-β-superfamily protein studied in aging biology. This field is contested and assay-sensitive: mouse findings differ by model, dose, and measurement approach. The evidence does not establish human interventional efficacy, safety, pharmacokinetics, or dosing.
Research Summary
Mouse cardiac findings, broader young-systemic-factor brain research, and human observational quantification must remain distinct. The human evidence is observational measurement, not rejuvenation treatment evidence, and does not establish a settled age-related decline or a human treatment effect.
Research Areas
- Cardiac rejuvenation
- Adult neurogenesis
- Skeletal muscle aging
- Parabiosis biology
- Circulating longevity factors
Safety & Risks
Serious Risks
- No established human safety or pharmacokinetic profile.
- Animal concerns should not be generalized beyond the studied model and dose.
Reported Side Effects
- No established human safety profile; animal findings should remain model- and dose-specific.
Legal Status by Region
- United States
- Research use only (recombinant protein)
- United Kingdom
- Research use only
- Australia
- Research use only
- Canada
- Research use only
Citations & Sources
- Growth differentiation factor 11 is a circulating factor that reverses age-related cardiac hypertrophy.
Loffredo FS et al. · Cell · 2013
PMID 23663781 · DOI 10.1016/j.cell.2013.04.015
- Vascular and neurogenic rejuvenation of the aging mouse brain by young systemic factors.
Katsimpardi L et al. · Science · 2014
PMID 24797482 · DOI 10.1126/science.1251141
- Quantification of GDF11 and Myostatin in Human Aging and Cardiovascular Disease.
Schafer MJ et al. · Cell Metabolism · 2016
PMID 27304512 · DOI 10.1016/j.cmet.2016.05.023