Publications

Abstract BACKGROUND Renal fibrosis is the hallmark of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and is characterized by an imbalanced extracellular matrix remodelling. Endotrophin (ETP) is a signalling molecule released from collagen type VI (COL VI). ETP can be measured by the PRO-C6 assay, which quantifies the levels of COL VI formation. ETP levels were previously associated […]

Abstract BACKGROUND Previous studies have indicated the utility of the ADAM10-generated fragment of tau, Tau-A, as marker of neuronal damage. However, the sensitivity of the ELISA-based system was limited. OBJECTIVES We utilized the extensive dynamic range of electrochemiluminescence compared to colorimetric assessment to improve the sensitivity of the Tau-A assay and investigate Tau-A levels after […]

Abstract OBJECTIVES Osteoarthritis (OA) patient stratification is an important challenge to design tailored treatments and drive drug development. Biochemical markers reflecting joint tissue turnover were measured in the IMI-APPROACH cohort at baseline and analysed using a machine learning approach in order to study OA-dominant phenotypes driven by the endotype-related clusters and discover the driving features […]

Abstract OBJECTIVE To examine the association of body mass index (BMI) with pain in people with hand osteoarthritis (OA), and explore whether this association, if causal, is mediated by systemic inflammatory biomarkers. METHODS In 281 Nor-Hand study participants, we estimated associations between BMI and hand pain, as measured by the Australian/Canadian Osteoarthritis Hand Index (AUSCAN; […]

Abstract Metabolic (dysfunction)-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) affects a third of the population and is a leading cause of liver-related death. Since no effective treatments exist, novel approaches to drug development are required. Unfortunately, outdated terminology and definitions of the disease are hampering efforts to develop new drugs and treatments. An international consensus panel has […]

Abstract CONTEXT Guidelines recommend blood-based fibrosis biomarkers to identify advanced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which is particularly prevalent in patients with obesity. OBJECTIVE To study whether the degree of obesity affects the performance of liver fibrosis biomarkers in NAFLD. DESIGN Cross-sectional cohort study comparing simple fibrosis scores [Fibrosis-4 Index (FIB-4); NAFLD Fibrosis Score (NFS); […]

Abstract BACKGROUND Asthma is a heterogeneous disease; therefore, biomarkers that can assist in the identification of subtypes and direct therapy are highly desirable. Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease that leads to changes in the extracellular matrix (ECM) by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) degradation causing fragments of type I collagen that is released into circulation. OBJECTIVE […]

Abstract In the tumor microenvironment, the extracellular matrix (ECM) has been recognized as an important part of cancer development. The dominant ECM proteins are the 28 types of collagens, each with a unique function in tissue architecture. Type XX collagen, however, is poorly characterized, and little is known about its involvement in cancer. We developed […]

Abstract Due to activation of fibroblast into cancer-associated fibroblasts, there is often an increased deposition of extracellular matrix and fibrillar collagens, e.g. type III collagen, in the tumor microenvironment (TME) that leads to tumor fibrosis (desmoplasia). Tumor fibrosis is closely associated with treatment response and poor prognosis for patients with solid tumors. To assure that […]

Abstract CONTEXT Serum propeptides of type III and type VI collagen (PRO-C3 and PRO-C6) are elevated in advanced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), but their value in patients with severe obesity and their evolution after bariatric surgery (BS) is unknown. It is unclear if these markers of fibrogenesis are affected by adipose tissue fibrosis (ATF). […]