GDF15 and chronic kidney disease: Of the four upregulated inferred ligands, GDF-15 is known to play a significant role in heart failure, particularly in the context of CKD were it was shown that GDF-15 is associated with adverse outcome.52 In the CANVAS trial, each doubling of baseline GDF-15 plasma levels was linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular events, HF, and kidney complications.53 In our study, Gdf15 is significantly upregulated in the kidney 28d post-MI.