Biomarker Portfolio

A novel biochemical plasma marker of true type V collagen formation. Circulating biomarkers, originating from defined fragments of the scar tissue itself, may serve as valuable tools for precision medicine.

Ninety-four patients mainly with alcoholic cirrhosis and fourteen liver-healthy controls were included in a retrospective study. Relevant clinical and routine laboratory data and hemodynamics were determined. Plasma Pro-C5 was correlated to HVPG and liver function parameters. Furthermore, Pro-C5 was combined in a linear regression model. 

Plasma Pro-C5 correlated to HVPG, indocyanine green clearance, sustained vascular resistance and mean arterial pressure (r = -0.68-0.33, p < 0.0001). A multiple regression analysis including Pro-C5, alanine aminotransferase, bilirubin and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) improved the correlation to HVPG (r = 0.74, p < 0.0001). Plasma Pro-C5 was positively or negatively correlated to a number of routine liver function markers and MELD score (r = 0.27-0.68; p < 0.05-0.0001). Furthermore, plasma Pro-C5 could clearly separate patients with a HVPG

Plasma Pro-C5 reflects liver hemodynamics, liver function, disease stage and clinically significant portal hypertension (PH). A multimarker model in combination with clinical scores predicted HVPG and separated clinical relevant HVPG thresholds. Plasma Pro-C5 may be suitable for the noninvasive evaluation of PH in patients with cirrhosis.

• Circulating levels of a collagen type v propeptide fragment in a carbon tetrachloride reversible model of liver fibrosis
• Immunological detection of the type V collagen propeptide fragment, PVCP-1230, in connective tissue remodeling associated with liver fibrosis
• Pro-C5, a marker of true type V collagen formation and fibrillation, correlates with portal hypertension in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis
• Type V collagen is persistently altered after inguinal hernia repair