Publications

Abstract OBJECTIVE To examine the effect of dynamic compressive loading applied intermittently on bovine cartilage explants stimulated with proinflammatory cytokines over 21 days. DESIGN Cartilage explants were cultured for 21 days with Oncostatin M and TNFα (O ​+ ​T) [10/5 ​ng/mL] or in culture medium alone (w/o). The explants were either left free-swelling or subjected to dynamic compressive […]

Abstract BACKGROUND Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive fibrotic lung disease with a variable clinical trajectory. Decline in forced vital capacity (FVC) is the main indicator of progression; however, missingness prevents long-term analysis of patterns in lung function. We aimed to identify distinct clusters of lung function trajectory among patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis using […]

Abstract OBJECTIVE To investigate correlations between biomarkers of bone remodelling and extracellular matrix turnover with baseline disease activity and treatment response in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS ssessing ery arly heumatoid arthritis reatment-2 (AVERT-2; NCT02504268) included disease-modifying antirheumatic drug-naive, anti-citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA)-positive patients randomised to weekly subcutaneous abatacept+methotrexate (MTX) or abatacept placebo+MTX […]

Abstract BACKGROUND Enhanced de-novo collagen type VI (COL VI) formation has been associated with kidney and cardiovascular fibrosis. We hypothesized that endotrophin (ETP), a product specifically generated during collagen type VI formation, may be prognostic for heart failure (HF), cardiovascular death (CVD), kidney endpoints, and all-cause mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS We […]

Abstract Circulating fragments of type III collagen, measured by PRO-C3, has shown promising results as a tumor fibrosis biomarker. However, the fibrotic tumor microenvironment consists of many other collagens with diverse functions and unexplored biomarker potential. One example hereof is type XXII collagen (COL22). In this study, we investigated the biomarker potential of COL22 by […]

Abstract BACKGROUND COVID-19 is characterized by a heterogeneous clinical presentation, ranging from mild symptoms to severe courses of disease. 9-20% of hospitalized patients with severe lung disease die from COVID-19 and a substantial number of survivors develop long-COVID. Our objective was to provide comprehensive insights into the pathophysiology of severe COVID-19 and to identify liquid […]

Abstract BACKGROUND & AIMS Experimental evidence indicates that systemic inflammation (SI) promotes liver fibrogenesis. This study investigated the potential link between SI and fibrogenesis in patients with advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD). METHODS Serum biomarkers of SI (CRP, IL-6, procalcitonin [PCT]) and extracellular matrix (ECM) turnover (i.e., fibrogenesis/fibrolysis) were analysed in 215 prospectively recruited patients […]

Abstract Timely detection of portal hypertension as a manifestation in a subgroup of patients with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) represents a challenge since it is usually not associated with liver cirrhosis. To identify relevant markers for portal hypertension, we evaluated clinical history, laboratory parameters, and abdominal ultrasound including liver elastography and biomarkers of extracellular matrix […]

Abstract OBJECTIVE We investigated endotrophin, a profibrotic signaling molecule reflecting collagen VI formation, in serum and urine as risk marker for complications to type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Endotrophin was measured in 774 individuals with type 2 diabetes. Outcomes included a composite kidney end point, first major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE), mortality, progression […]

Abstract Extracellular matrix (ECM) homeostasis is highly affected in active inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The aim of the study was to investigate serological biomarkers of type III, IV, and V collagen degradation and formation, and their association with disease activity in IBD. ECM remodeling serum biomarkers were measured in 162 IBD patients, 110 with Crohn’s […]