Growth and Differentiation Factor 15 (GDF-15) is a TGF beta family member, made by the placenta and heart tissues, that has a role in regulating inflammatory and apoptotic pathways. GDF-15 has become an immerging marker of early heart disease and has the potential as being used as a molecule for screening patients for early heart failure. Recombinant GDF-15 is a non-glycosylated, disulfide linked homodimer, containing two identical 120 amino acid chains, with a total molecular weight of 26.8 kDa.