Growth differentiation factor 11 (GDF11), also known as bone morphogenetic protein 11, a member of the transforming growth factor-β superfamily, has been reported to be involved in colorectal cancer. However, the roles of GDF11 in Chinese patients with liver cancer and the underlying mechanisms have remained elusive. The present study assessed the expression of GDF11 in 10 paired samples of cancerous and normal tissues from Chinese liver cancer patients. The results indicated that the expression of GDF11 was significantly lower in cancerous tissues than in normal tissues. In vitro, the expression of GDF11 was reduced in a panel of liver cancer cell lines compared with that in a normal liver cell line at the mRNA and protein level. Treatment with GDF11 reduced the viability of HepG2 for up to 72 h and GDF11 treatment reduced the viability of SMMC-7721 after 48 and 72 h. Furthermore, GDF11 activated Smad2/3 signaling in HepG2 cells. In conclusion, GDF11 has a tumor suppressor role in liver cancer, exerts its effects through Smad2/3 signaling and may serve as a novel tumor marker in liver cancer diagnosis.
Keywords: Smad2/3; bone morphogenetic protein 11; growth differentiation factor 11; liver cancer; tumor marker.