Publications

Abstract Background Patients with atherosclerosis have a high risk of cardiovascular events and death. Atherosclerosis is characterized by accumulation of lipids, cells and extracellular matrix proteins in the intima. We hypothesized that dysregulated remodeling of the basement membrane proteins may be associated with clinical outcomes in patients with atherosclerosis. Methods and Results Neoepitope fragments of […]

Abstract N-terminal propeptide of type II collagen (PIINP) is a biomarker reflecting cartilage formation. PIINP exists in two main splice variants termed as type IIA and type IIB collagen NH₂-propeptide (PIIANP, PIIBNP). PIIANP has been widely recognized as a cartilage formation biomarker. However, the utility of PIIBNP as a marker in preclinical and clinical settings […]

Abstract BACKGROUND The prevalence of lower extremity artery disease (LEAD) is high (20%-25%) in the population older than 65 years, but patients are seldom identified until the disease is advanced. Circulating markers of disease activity might provide patients with a key opportunity for timely treatment. We tested the hypothesis that measuring blood-specific fragments generated during degradation […]

Abstract The Mediator complex subunit 13-like (MED13L) protein is part of the multi-protein mediator complex and plays an important role in gene transcription. Polymorphisms in the MED13L gene have been linked to congenital heart anomalies and intellectual disabilities. Despite recent evidence of indirect links of MED13L to cytokine release and inflammation, impact of genetic variations […]

Abstract OBJECTIVES The expanding spectrum of targeted therapies for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) implies a need for development of precision tools for disease assessment reflecting pathobiologic processes. Type IV collagen is an abundant protein of basement membranes, but is also present in the intercellular matrix of the synovial lining layer. We aimed to investigate the association […]

Abstract BACKGROUND The role of the extracellular matrix (ECM) structure and remodeling thereof in lung diseases is gaining importance. Pathology-related changes in ECM turnover may result in deleterious changes in lung architecture, leading to disease in the small airways. Here, degradation fragments of type I (C1M), type IV (α1 chain, C4M2), and type IV (α3 […]

Abstract To determine the pre-procedural value of different fibrotic biomarkers and comprehensive cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) for the prediction of poor response to ablation therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Left atrial (LA) late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) and native LA T1 relaxation times were assessed using CMR. Plasma levels of relaxin, myeloperoxidase and serum […]

Abstract Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by high levels of protease activity leading to degradation of elastin followed by loss of elasticity of the lung and the development of emphysema. Elastin is an essential structural component of the lung parenchyma to support the expansion and recoil of the alveoli during breathing. The lung […]

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Abstract Altered extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling is an important part of the pathology of gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. In the intestine, type XVI collagen (col-16) plays a role in pathogenesis by affecting ECM architecture and induce cell invasion. Measuring col-16 in serum may therefore have biomarker potential in GI disorders such as colorectal cancer (CRC) and […]