Publications

Abstract OBJECTIVES In systemic sclerosis patients (SSc), we aimed at exploring the potential of serum biomarkers of fibrosis and immune-cell activity to detect subclinical heart involvement determined by electrocardiographic (ECG) alterations. METHODS A panel of extracellular matrix (ECM) turnover biomarkers quantifying type III and VI collagen formation (PRO-C3 and PRO-C6), type IV collagen turnover (PRO-C4), […]

Abstract OBJECTIVES To assess basement membrane remodelling in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) by studying serum levels of type IV collagen (C4M) and laminin (LG1M) fragments and their association with disease profile. METHODS One hundred and six SLE patients without and 20 with previous cardiovascular events were included. One hundred and twenty male and female blood […]

Abstract OBJECTIVES Around 30% of patients diagnosed with cutaneous psoriasis (PsC) will go on to develop psoriatic arthritis (PsA) which includes inflammation of the joints. Collagens are core proteins in all tissues, which are involved in the inflammatory process in both PsC and PsA. The aim of this study is to investigate collagen biomarkers and […]

Abstract Osteoarthritis (OA) is a disease of the whole joint, including synovium, bone and cartilage. OA is a slow degenerative and very heterogeneous disease, with both varying levels of disease activity and progression. Biomarkers are urgently needed to assist drug developers in selecting and developing the projects with the highest chance of success. Biomarkers for […]

Abstract OBJECTIVES Non-radiographic (nr-axSpA) and radiographic (AS) forms of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) share clinical features, but have different radiographic patterns. Radiographic progression is not associated with the current disease activity biomarkers. We investigated a matrix metalloproteinase mediated metabolite of C-reactive protein (CRPM) and two biomarkers of citrullinated vimentin (VICM and anti-MCV) as novel biomarkers of […]

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 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 OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to examine the tissue degradation in response to anti-IL6 receptor treatment in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients which are anti-TNF-α inadequate responders. METHODS RADIATE was a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, phase III trial. RA patients with previous inadequate response to anti-TNFα therapy (n=299) were randomly assigned to tocilizumab […]

Abstract OBJECTIVES This prospective study aimed to use serological biomarkers for evaluation of, connective tissue turnover, in a population of 149 Japanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It was aimed to investigate how the connective tissue was affected by treatment at follow-up after 1 year (+/- 6 weeks) with either methotrexate (n=23) alone, or in […]

Abstract OBJECTIVE Biologics for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with moderate to severe disease may preserve joint function. Matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP-3), a key tissue degrading protease, is highly elevated in RA. MMP-3, which measures the total pool of circulating MMP-3 species (cMMP3), is a commonly measured biomarker in rheumatology. The aim was to investigate the […]