Publications

Abstract Endotrophin, a biologically active fragment derived from the α3 chain of collagen type VI, has emerged as both a risk biomarker and a potential pathogenic factor in cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome. Over the past decade, research has shed light on its role in various noncommunicable diseases, emphasizing its signaling properties and diagnostic potential. Despite these […]

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 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 The interaction among extracellular matrix (ECM) components (proteoglycans, elastin, laminins, collagens and metalloproteinases) is important for maintaining homeostasis of the skin. However, in chronic inflammatory diseases, tissue homeostasis is disrupted by having an uncontrolled remodelling of the ECM, resulting in an imbalance of its composition and functionality. In these pathologies, there is a dysregulation […]

Abstract INTRODUCTION Osteoarthritis (OA) involves an inflammatory component, presenting as synovitis and systemic low-grade inflammation. Preliminary evidence suggests that anti-inflammatory treatments may offer symptomatic and structural benefits in OA. More targeted approaches have been proposed and tested, but the means of identifying the clinical and molecular characteristics of patients with an inflammatory subtype remains unclear. […]

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 […]

Abstract BACKGROUND The primary aim of this study is to investigate the impact of MBS induced weight loss on cognition, and secondary investigate the impact of this weight loss on adipokines, inflammatory factors, vascular markers, mood and physical activity three years after MBS. METHODS This observational study assessed data from 107 patients with severe obesity […]

Abstract BACKGROUND Fibrostenotic stricturing disease affects 30-50% of patients with Crohn’s disease (CD), leading to intestinal resection. Currently, there exists a great medical need to identify biomarkers related to fibrostenotic strictures for optimized patient management. Thus, we investigated PRO-C16 as a biomarker for intestinal fibrosis in patients with CD. METHODS Human serum from two independent […]

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), […]