Publications

Abstract BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to develop and validate a model for pulmonary fibrosis, using ex vivo tissue cultures of lungs from bleomycin treated animals, enabling the investigation of fibrosis remodeling using novel biomarkers for the detection of ECM protein fragments. The combination of in vivo and ex vivo models together with […]

Abstract We conducted a genome-wide association study of low bone mineral density (BMD) at the hip and spine utilizing sequence variants found through whole-genome sequencing of 2636 Icelanders. We found two rare missense mutations, p.Gly496Ala and p.Gly703Ser, in the COL1A2 gene that associate with measures of osteoporosis in Icelanders. Mutations in COL1A2 are known to […]

Abstract OBJECTIVE Tissue destruction in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is predominantly mediated by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), thereby generating protein fragments. Previous studies have revealed that these fragments include MMP-mediated collagen type I, II, and III degradation, citrullinated and MMP-degraded vimentin and MMP degraded C-reactive protein. We evaluated if biomarkers measuring serum levels of specific sequences of […]

Abstract AIM To investigate if tissue turnover biomarkers were efficacy biomarkers in ankylosing spondylitis and if the biomarkers at baseline predicted a good outcome (BASDAI50). PATIENTS & METHODS Twenty-two etanercept treated ankylosing spondylitis patients were investigated for inflammation (CRP, ESR, CRPM) and tissue turnover (C1M, C2M, C3M) during the first year of treatment. Biomarkers profiles […]

Abstract Type I IFNs are implicated in the pathophysiology of systemic sclerosis (SSc). Recently, a Phase I open-label trial was conducted with an anti-IFNAR1 receptor antibody (anifrolumab) in adult SSc patients. In this study, we aim to assess the downstream effects of anifrolumab and elucidate the role of type I IFN in SSc. Serum proteins […]

Abstract BACKGROUND AND AIMS A hallmark of inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] is chronic inflammation, which leads to excessive extracellular matrix [ECM] remodelling and release of specific protein fragments, called neoepitopes. We speculated that the biomarker profile panel for ulcerative colitis [UC] and Crohn’s disease [CD] represent a heterogeneous expression pattern, and may be applied as […]

Abstract Chronic fibro-proliferative diseases are associated with nearly 45% of all deaths in the developed world. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) mediated remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) plays an important role in disease development. Degradation of type I collagen is considered having a major role in this matter. C1M is a biomarker measuring type I collagen […]

Abstract BACKGROUND The extent of renal fibrosis in chronic kidney disease (CKD) is the best predictor for progression of most renal diseases. To date, no established biomarkers of renal fibrosis exist. METHODS We measured circulating and urinary-specific matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-generated collagen type I and III degradation fragments (C1M and C3M) and an N-terminal propeptide of […]

Abstract PURPOSE To evaluate the structure-modifying and symptom efficacy, as well as safety and tolerability of oral salmon calcitonin (sCT) formulated with a 5-CNAC carrier (a molecule based on Eligen(®) technology), in osteoarthritis (OA) patients with moderate to severe knee pain and joint structural damage classified as Kellgren and Lawrence (KL)2-3. METHODS AND DESIGN This […]

Abstract BACKGROUND Disturbed metabolism in the extracellular matrix (ECM) contributes to formation of abdominal wall hernias. The aim of this study was to gain deeper insight into the ECM turnover in hernia patients by analyzing serum biomarkers specifically reflecting collagen synthesis and breakdown in the interstitial matrix (types I, III, and V collagens) and in […]