Publications

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 […]

Abstract Nitisinone has been approved for treatment of alkaptonuria (AKU). Non-invasive biomarkers of joint tissue remodelling could aid in understanding the molecular changes in AKU pathogenesis and how these can be affected by treatment. Serological and urinary biomarkers of type I collagen and II collagen in AKU were investigated in patients enrolled in the randomized […]

Abstract The association between structural changes and pain sensation in osteoarthritis (OA) remains unclear. Joint deterioration in OA leads to the release of protein fragments that can either systemically (serum) or locally (synovial fluid; SF) be targeted as biomarkers and describe structural changes and potentially pain. Biomarkers of collagen type I (C1M), type II (C2M), […]

Abstract Autoantibodies have the potential as cancer biomarkers as they may associate with the outcome and immune-related adverse events (irAEs) following immunotherapy. Cancer and other fibroinflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), are associated with excessive collagen turnover leading to collagen triple helix unfolding and denaturation with exposure of immunodominant epitopes. In this study, we […]

Abstract We evaluated biomarkers related to kidney fibrosis for the outcome of patients with IgA nephropathy (IgAN). Clinical parameters (estimated glomerular filtration rate, hypertension, proteinuria) and histological findings were assessed in 134 patients with IgAN at the time of diagnosis and followed up prospectively (mean follow-up time, 56.5 months). We measured biomarkers of collagen and […]

Abstract The type II collagen C-terminal pro-peptide is one of the most abundant polypeptides in cartilage. The purpose of this study was to develop a competitive chemiluminescence enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, CALC2, targeting this pro-peptide as a marker of cartilage formation. Technical assay parameters were evaluated. CALC2 level was measured after in vitro cleavage of recombinant […]

Abstract Protein citrullination and degradation by matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) plays a central role in the pathology of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Autoantibodies are known to target citrullinated vimentin. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the blood levels of MMP-degraded and citrullinated vimentin (VICM), as compared with the levels of MMP-degraded and […]

Abstract Crohn’s disease (CD) is a relapsing-remitting inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract characterized by increased extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling. The introduction of the α4β7-integrin inhibitor vedolizumab (VEDO) has improved disease management, although there is a high rate of primary non-response in patients with CD. We studied whether ECM biomarkers of neutrophil activity and […]

Abstract In the tumor microenvironment, the extracellular matrix (ECM) has been recognized as an important part of cancer development. The dominant ECM proteins are the 28 types of collagens, each with a unique function in tissue architecture. Type XX collagen, however, is poorly characterized, and little is known about its involvement in cancer. We developed […]

Abstract The development of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) has been associated with alterations in gut microbiota composition and reduced gut barrier function. is a gut microbe that is thought to have health-promoting properties, including the ability to improve gut barrier function and host metabolism, both when administered live and after heat-inactivation. We questioned whether heat-inactivated may […]