Publications

Abstract Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is characterized by mucosal injury in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. During an abnormal immune response in the GI tract, excessive secretion of immune-cell proteases occurs. Neutrophils are the first responders, infiltrating into the inflamed interstitial matrix, where type III collagen accumulates. We aimed to develop a biomarker that reflects early […]

Abstract A common hallmark of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is kidney fibrosis, which manifests as an increased deposition and turnover of collagens in the kidneys. Current clinical methods of monitoring disease progression in CKD patients do not truly reflect alterations at the tissue level without the use of invasive biopsies. Naturally occurring urinary peptides associated […]

Abstract BACKGROUND The collagen-rich tumor stroma plays a crucial role in biliary tract cancer (BTC). Collagen biomarkers of type I collagen (reC1M), type III collagen (PRO-C3), type IV collagen (C4G), type VIII collagen (PRO-C8), type XI collagen (PRO-C11), type XVII collagen (PRO-C17) and type VIII collagen (TUM) may be used as potential non-invasive biomarkers. METHODS […]

Abstract Understanding how inflammatory cytokines influence profibrogenic wound healing responses in fibroblasts is important for understanding the pathogenesis of fibrosis. TNF-α and IL-13 are key cytokines in Th1 and Th2 immune responses, respectively, while TGF-β1 is the principal pro-fibrotic mediator. We show that 12-day fibroblast culture with TNF-α or IL-13 induces fibrogenesis, marked by progressively […]

Abstract INTRODUCTION The pathogenesis of sarcoidosis involves tissue remodelling mediated by the accumulation of abnormal extracellular matrix, which is partly the result of an imbalance in collagen synthesis, cross-linking and degradation. During this process, collagen fragments or neoepitopes, are released into the circulation. The significance of these circulating collagen neoepitopes in sarcoidosis remains unknown. METHODS […]

Abstract AIM To investigate type III collagen (COL III) turnover in participants from the CANVAS Program biomarker substudy. METHODS Biomarkers of COL III formation (PRO-C3) and COL III degradation fragments (C3M and CTX-III) were assessed in baseline and year 3 plasma from patients enrolled in CANVAS, investigating the effect of canagliflozin in participants with type […]

Abstract OBJECTIVE Clinical observation suggests that vascular activation and autoimmunity precede remodelling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in systemic sclerosis (SSc). We challenge this paradigm by hypothesising that ECM biomarkers are already disturbed in patients with very early SSc (veSSc) when fibrosis is not yet clinically detectable. METHODS 42 patients with veSSc, defined as the […]

Abstract AIMS Extracellular matrix remodelling is one of the key pathways involved in heart failure (HF) progression. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) may have a role in attenuating myocardial fibrosis. The impact of SGLT2i on blood markers of collagen turnover in humans is not fully elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the effect of empagliflozin […]

Abstract BACKGROUND AND AIMS The N-terminal propeptide of type III collagen (PRO-C3) assay measures a pro-peptide released during type III collagen synthesis, an important feature of arterial stiffening and atherogenesis. There is a clinical need for improved non-invasive, cheap and easily accessible methods for evaluating individuals at risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). In this study, […]

Abstract Kidney fibrosis is the hallmark of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and is characterized by an imbalanced extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling. Collagen type III is one of the main ECM components of the interstitial matrix of the kidney. We hypothesized that measuring three biomarkers of collagen type III reflecting different aspects of this protein turnover […]