Publications

Abstract AIM Non-invasive tests for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are needed for assessing disease stage, prognosis and treatment efficacy. Extracellular matrix biomarkers, such as PRO-C3, are useful as biomarkers of advanced liver fibrosis. However, non-invasive biomarkers of early-stage NAFLD, characterized by pericellular fibrosis, are lacking. Here, we measured serological biomarkers of type IV and […]

Abstract BACKGROUND/PURPOSE In axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) inflammation of the sacroiliac joints and spine is associated with local extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling of affected tissues. We aimed to investigate the association of ECM metabolites with treatment response in axSpA patients treated with TNF-α inhibitory therapy for 46 weeks. METHODS In a prospective clinical study of axSpA […]

Abstract BACKGROUND Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a debilitating lung disease with limited treatment options. A phase 2 trial (NCT01766817) showed that twice-daily treatment with BMS-986020, a lysophosphatidic acid receptor 1 (LPA) antagonist, significantly decreased the slope of forced vital capacity (FVC) decline over 26 weeks compared with placebo in patients with IPF. This analysis aimed to […]

Abstract OBJECTIVE Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by the gradual loss of cartilage. Sprifermin, a recombinant FGF18, is being developed as a cartilage anabolic drug. PRO-C2 is a serum marker of type II collagen formation and low levels have been shown to be prognostic of radiographic progression. The aim of the study was to investigate whether […]

Abstract Osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are serious and painful diseases. Protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) is involved in the pathology of both OA and RA including roles in synovial hyperplasia, cartilage destruction, osteophyogenesis and pain. PAR2 is activated via cleavage of its N-terminus by serine proteases. In this study a competitive ELISA assay was […]

Abstract BACKGROUND Asthma is a heterogeneous syndrome substantiating the urgent requirement for endotype-specific biomarkers. Dysbalance of fibrosis and fibrolysis in asthmatic lung tissue leads to reduced levels of the inflammation-protective collagen 4 (COL4A3). OBJECTIVE To delineate the degradation of COL4A3 in allergic airway inflammation and evaluate the resultant product as a biomarker for anti-IgE therapy […]

Abstract BACKGROUND Remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) is a central mechanism in the progression of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and remodeling of type VI collagen has been suggested to be associated with disease progression. Biomarkers that reflect and predict the progression of IPF would provide valuable information for clinicians when treating IPF patients. METHODS […]

Abstract BACKGROUND AND AIMS Vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE), point shear wave elastography (pSWE), 2-dimensional shear wave elastography (2DSWE), magnetic resonance elastography (MRE), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have been proposed as non-invasive tests for patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This study evaluated their diagnostic accuracy for liver fibrosis and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). METHODS […]

Abstract PURPOSE To investigate acute changes in biochemical markers of bone and cartilage turnover in response to moderate intensity exercise with and without joint impact in healthy human subjects. METHODS A randomized, cross-over, exploratory, clinical study was conducted. Twenty healthy subjects with no history of joint trauma completed 30 min interventions of standardized moderate intensity cycling […]

Abstract In inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the chronic inflammation deeply affects the intestinal extracellular matrix. The aim of this study was to investigate if remodeling of the intestinal basement membrane type VI collagen was associated with pathophysiological changes in Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Serum from IBD patients (CD: n = 65; UC: n = 107; irritable […]