Publications

Abstract BACKGROUND Endotrophin, a C-terminal pro-collagen type VIα3 fragment, has been shown to correlate with kidney interstitial fibrosis, kidney outcome measures and survival in various kidney diseases and kidney transplantation. In this study we investigated whether endotrophin is associated with fibrogenesis in T cell-mediated rejection (TCMR), allowing its use as a non-invasive biomarker. METHOD Plasma […]

Abstract A common hallmark of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is kidney fibrosis, which manifests as an increased deposition and turnover of collagens in the kidneys. Current clinical methods of monitoring disease progression in CKD patients do not truly reflect alterations at the tissue level without the use of invasive biopsies. Naturally occurring urinary peptides associated […]

Abstract Collagen type I (COL1) is the most abundant protein in the human body and is a main component in the extracellular matrix. The COL1 structure vastly influences normal tissue homeostasis, and changes in the matrix drive progression in multiple diseases. Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in many Western […]

Abstract The extracellular matrix (ECM) is the common denominator of more than 50 chronic diseases. Some of these chronic pathologies lead to enhanced tissue formation and deposition, whereas others are associated with increased tissue degradation, and some exhibit a combination of both, leading to severe tissue alterations. To develop effective therapies for diseases affecting the […]

Abstract BACKGROUND Acute kidney injury (AKI), a rapid decrease in kidney function, is associated with increased risk of adverse outcomes including development and progression of CKD. Kidney fibrosis is one of the pathological processes central to this AKI-to-CKD transition. Here we investigate the association of biomarkers of collagen type III turnover with adverse outcome following […]

Abstract INTRODUCTION Decline in kidney function due to renal fibrosis is a potential side effect in patients with neuroendocrine neoplasm (NEN) undergoing Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy (PRRT). We aimed to investigate the potential of circulating fibrosis markers reflecting formation and degradation of collagens in predicting decline in kidney function in NEN-patients undergoing PRRT. MATERIAL AND […]

Abstract AIM To investigate type III collagen (COL III) turnover in participants from the CANVAS Program biomarker substudy. METHODS Biomarkers of COL III formation (PRO-C3) and COL III degradation fragments (C3M and CTX-III) were assessed in baseline and year 3 plasma from patients enrolled in CANVAS, investigating the effect of canagliflozin in participants with type […]

Abstract Fibrosis, driven by fibroblast activities, is an important contributor to morbidity and mortality in most chronic diseases. Endotrophin, a signaling molecule derived from processing of type VI collagen by highly activated fibroblasts, is involved in fibrotic tissue remodeling. Circulating levels of endotrophin have been associated with an increased risk of mortality in multiple chronic […]

Abstract BACKGROUND This post-hoc study investigated whether biomarkers reflecting extracellular matrix (ECM) turnover predicted cardiovascular disease (CVD), mortality, and progression of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and microalbuminuria. METHODS Serum levels of specific ECM turnover biomarkers were assessed in 192 participants with T2D and microalbuminuria from an observational study […]

Abstract Our overview covers several key areas related to recent results obtained for collagen type VI and endotrophin (ETP). (1) An introduction to the history of ETP, including how it was identified, how it is released, and its function and potential receptors. (2) An introduction to the collagen family, with a focus on what differentiates […]