Publications

Abstract BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a highly contagious respiratory disease characterised by systemic inflammation and lung tissue damage. In injured lungs, fibroblast activity increases in response to tissue insult and has been shown to be prognostic in fibrotic disease. This study investigated whether fibroblast activity is associated with mortality in severe COVID-19. METHOD […]

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Abstract Psoriatic disease (PsD) is a complex, heterogeneous disease with unmet medical needs in terms of its diagnosis, management, and prognosis. The identification of biomarkers could improve the implementation of precision medicine in PsD, but to date, none of these biomarkers have been clinically validated. Biomarkers can support clinical trials in several ways, including (1) […]

Abstract Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are distinct rheumatological diseases with common molecular features. This study explored tissue-associated remodelling endotypes using blood-based biomarkers reflecting interstitial matrix and basement membrane remodelling. Baseline serum samples from radiographic axSpA (r-axSpA) (NCT02437162/NCT02438787) (n = 66), PsA (NCT03158285) (n = 267) and SLE (NCT02349061) (n […]

Abstract BACKGROUND Asthma is characterized by airway obstruction driven by chronic inflammation, leading to extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling. This involves ECM alterations, including increased collagen deposition and elastolysis, resulting in airway wall thickening and irreversible airflow limitation. Despite ECM remodeling’s known role in asthma, no reliable tools track these changes, and the genetic and environmental […]

Abstract Imperfect attempts at organ repair after repeated injury result in aberrant formation of extracellular matrix (ECM) and loss of tissue structure. This abnormal ECM goes from being a consequence of cellular dysregulation to become the backbone of a persistently fibrotic cell niche that compromises organic function and ultimately drives systemic disease. Here, we review […]

Abstract Remodelling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) is a continuous process necessary for maintaining skin tissue architecture and function. Disruption of type VII and XVII collagen turnover within the ECM is a contributing factor in the pathogenesis of skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis (AD). To investigate the turnover of type VII and XVII collagens […]

Abstract Blood-based extracellular matrix (ECM) fragments have been identified as potential pharmacologic biomarkers in spondyloarthritis and diagnostic biomarkers in psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis vulgaris. This study aimed to explore whether ECM fragments can differentiate patients with psoriasis from healthy controls (HC) and determine their potential as biomarkers for response to treatment in psoriasis. The study […]

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Abstract INTRODUCTION T-helper 17 (Th17) cells produce IL-17A playing a critical role in activating the pathogenic chain leading to joint tissue inflammation and destruction. Elevated levels of Th17 cells and IL-17A have been detected in skin lesions, blood, and synovial fluid from patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Moreover, IL-17A inhibitors suppress disease […]