Publications

Abstract C-telopeptide of type II collagen (CTX-II) has been shown to be a highly relevant biomarker of cartilage degradation in human rheumatic diseases, if measured in synovial fluid or urine. However, serum or plasma CTX-II have not been demonstrated to have any clinical utility to date. Here, we describe the GPDPLQ ELISA which targets the […]

Abstract OBJECTIVES Macrophages possess widespread pro-inflammatory, destructive, and remodelling capabilities that can critically contribute to acute and chronic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Continuous monitoring and measurement of selective counteraction of macrophage activity in patients require a sensitivity and non-invasive marker. We characterised the VICM (citrullinated and MMP degraded vimentin fragment) biomarker by investigating […]

Abstract Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common arthritic disease in the world, leading to debilitating pain and destruction of joint tissues. While pain is the hallmark symptom of osteoarthritis, clear associations between pain and disease processes involved in joint deterioration are lacking. OA pain is multifactorial and may arise from multiple distinct or concurrent mechanisms, […]

Abstract BACKGROUND Biomarkers of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease activity typically measure inflammation or autoimmunity (e.g. CRP, RF). C1M and C3M, metabolites of type I and III collagen, are markers reflecting tissue metabolism. These markers have been documented to provide additional prognostic and predictive value compared to commonly used biomarkers. We investigated the relationship of high […]

Abstract There is an increasing demand for accurate endotyping of patients according to their pathogenesis to allow more targeted treatment. We explore a combination of blood-based joint tissue metabolites (neoepitopes) to enable patient clustering through distinct disease profiles. We analysed data from two RA studies (LITHE (N = 574, follow-up 24 and 52 weeks), OSKIRA-1 […]

Abstract Recent research in the field of osteoarthritis (OA) has focused on understanding the underlying molecular and clinical phenotypes of the disease. This narrative review article focuses on recent advances in our understanding of the phenotypes of OA and proposes that the disease represents a diversity of clinical phenotypes that are underpinned by a number […]

Abstract The objective of this study was to investigate the patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) derived extracellular matrix (ECM) biomarkers in non-radiographic (nr)-axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and radiographic (r)-axSpA after exercise intervention. Forty-six axSpA patients with stable disease and treatment underwent 24 weeks long exercise intervention. The clinical and laboratory assessments were performed at baseline […]

Abstract PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review focuses on the molecular taxonomy of osteoarthritis from the perspective of molecular biomarkers. We discuss how wet biochemical markers may be used to understand disease pathogenesis and progression and define molecular endotypes of osteoarthritis and how these correspond to clinical phenotypes. RECENT FINDINGS Emerging evidence suggests that osteoarthritis is […]

Abstract OBJECTIVE A hallmark of osteoarthritis (OA) is degradation of articular cartilage proteoglycans. In isolated human OA chondrocytes, the anti-inflammatory cytokine Interleukin-37 (IL-37) lowers the expression of the proteolytic MMP and ADAMTS enzymes, which mediate this degradation. Therefore, we investigated if IL-37 protects against proteoglycan loss in freshly obtained human OA explants. MATERIAL AND METHODS […]

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 […]