Publications

Abstract BACKGROUND Noninvasive fibrosis testing is crucial for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) management. This study evaluated a marker of activated mesenchymal fibrogenic cells, circulating fibroblast activation protein (cFAP), in a novel diagnostic algorithm, FAP Index, for patients with MASLD. METHODS Two retrospective cohorts recruited from tertiary hepatology clinics were studied as training (n = 160) […]

Abstract BACKGROUND & AIMS Alcohol is a key driver of liver-related mortality, and phosphatidylethanol (PEth) is a direct biomarker of alcohol intake. We investigated the prognostic performance of PEth with noninvasive liver fibrosis tests (NITs) for predicting hepatic decompensation in an alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) at-risk population. METHODS Prospective cohort study with 411 at risk […]

Abstract RATIONALE LAM is a rare cystic lung disease driven by nodules containing “LAM cells” and recruited LAM associated fibroblasts. Although rapamycin reduces lung function loss, some patients continue to decline, meaning additional therapies are needed. OBJECTIVES To investigate how the LAM nodule environment affects LAM cell proliferation and the response to rapamycin. METHODS Proteins […]

Abstract BACKGROUND & AIMS The role of antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) after liver transplantation (LT) remains controversial. Chronic AMR (cAMR) is often subclinical and may be missed without surveillance biopsies (svLbx). Transcriptome analyses have previously characterized molecular changes in T cell-mediated rejection (TCMR) after solid organ transplantation. We aimed to identify molecular signatures of cAMR after […]

Abstract Fibroblast-driven deposition of extracellular matrix, particularly type III collagen, is linked to poor outcomes in patients with liver fibrosis, fibrotic solid tumors such as hepatocellular carcinoma and pancreatic cancer as well as in patients with other fibrotic diseases. The pro-peptide of type III collagen (PRO-C3) serves as a serum biomarker of active collagen formation. […]

Abstract BACKGROUND Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is characterised by damage to the epithelial layer, closely associated with the alveolar basement membrane (BM). We aimed to investigate how type IV collagen (COL4) in the BM changes with the progression of IPF. METHODS COL4 synthesis (PRO-C4) was detected in blood by the nordicPRO-C4 biomarker in patients with […]

Abstract BACKGROUND Non-invasive tests (NITs) are central to diagnosing and stratifying risk in steatotic liver disease (SLD). However, it remains unclear whether guideline-recommended NIT cut-offs apply to metabolic and alcohol-related liver disease (MetALD). AIM Evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic performance of five NITs in patients with MetALD. METHODS Single-centre study with 423 SLD patients, of […]

Abstract BACKGROUND Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) infection remains a global health burden, contributing to the risk of long-term complications such as progressive fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma, particularly in undiagnosed or untreated individuals. Novel biomarkers for the assessment of disease progression and prognosis are required for fibroinflammatory chronic liver disease. Our study population from the […]

Abstract BACKGROUND Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is characterized by an increase in proteolytic enzymes, including matrix metalloproteinases that degrade the extracellular matrix and markers of localized inflammation. Protein fragments (neoepitopes) are detectable in the circulation. RESEARCH QUESTION Can short-term trajectories of neoepitopes after initiation of antifibrotic treatment predict therapy-related outcomes, including mortality, in patients with […]

Abstract BACKGROUND While coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is primarily a respiratory infection, few studies have characterised the immune response to COVID-19 in lung tissue. We sought to understand the pathogenic role of microenvironmental interactions and the extracellular matrix in post-mortem COVID-19 lung using an integrative multi-omic approach. METHODS Post-mortem formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded lung tissue from fatal […]