Publications

Abstract Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis, all have one clear common denominator; an altered turnover of bone. However, this may be more complex than a simple change in bone matrix and mineral turnover. While these diseases share a common tissue axis, their manifestations in the area of pathology are highly diverse, ranging […]

Abstract BACKGROUND AND AIMS A vulnerable plaque is an atherosclerotic plaque that is rupture-prone with a higher risk to cause cardiovascular symptoms such as myocardial infarction or stroke. Mimecan or osteoglycin is a small leucine-rich proteoglycan, important for collagen fibrillogenesis, that has been implicated in atherosclerotic disease, yet the role of mimecan in human atherosclerotic […]

Abstract BACKGROUND Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by abnormal epithelial repair resulting in a hypercoagulable state with intra-alveolar accumulation of fibrin and alveolar basement membrane destruction. This study aimed to investigate if the combination of two serological biomarkers evaluating these pathological processes could improve the prediction of mortality risk compared to single biomarkers. […]

Abstract Fibrosis is a common pathological feature of chronic disease. Deletion of the NF-κB subunit c-Rel limits fibrosis in multiple organs, although the mechanistic nature of this protection is unresolved. Using cell-specific gene-targeting manipulations in mice undergoing liver damage, we elucidate a critical role for c-Rel in controlling metabolic changes required for inflammatory and fibrogenic […]

Abstract Different stimulants might induce different extracellular matrix profiles. It is essential to gain an understanding and quantification of these changes to allow for focused anti-fibrotic drug development. This study investigated the expression of extracellular matrix by dermal fibroblast mimicking fibrotic skin diseases as SSc using clinically validated biomarkers. Primary healthy human dermal fibroblasts were […]

Abstract BACKGROUND Tissue released blood-based biomarkers can provide insight into drug mode of action and response. To understand the changes in extracellular matrix turnover, we analyzed biomarkers associated with joint tissue turnover from a phase 3, randomized, placebo-controlled study of baricitinib in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS Serum biomarkers associated with synovial inflammation […]

Abstract The PRO-C6 assay, a reflection of collagen type VI synthesis, has been proposed as a non-invasive early biomarker of kidney fibrosis. We aimed to investigate cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between plasma and urine PRO-C6 and proven histological changes after kidney transplantation. The current study is a post-hoc analysis of 94 participants of the MECANO […]

Abstract OBJECTIVE Dysregulation of type I collagen metabolism has a great impact on human health. We have previously seen that matrix metalloproteinase-degraded type I collagen (C1M) is associated with early death and age-related pathologies. To dissect the biological impact of type I collagen dysregulation, we have performed a genome-wide screening of the genetic factors related […]

Abstract BACKGROUND Immune checkpoint inhibitors that target the programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) receptor induce a response in only a subgroup of patients with metastatic melanoma. Previous research suggests that transforming growth factor beta signaling and a collagen-rich peritumoral stroma (tumor fibrosis), may negatively interfere with the interaction between T cells and tumor cells […]

Abstract PURPOSE Renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis is strongly linked to the progressive decline of renal function seen in chronic kidney disease. State-of-the-art noninvasive diagnostic modalities are currently unable to detect the earliest changes associated with the onset of fibrosis. This study was undertaken to evaluate the potential for detecting the earliest alterations in fibrogenesis using a […]