There is growing evidence in both human and animal models that GDF15 plays an important role beyond cardiovascular disease and has been linked to weight homeostasis, fibrosis, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, renal disease, mobility disability and cancer (Baek and Eling, 2019; Bidadkosh et al., 2017; Daniels et al., 2011; Ho et al., 2013; Wallentin et al., 2013; Osawa et al., 2020). The gene discussed is GDF15; the disease is kidney disorder.