Publications

Abstract OBJECTIVES Current knowledge on the fibro-inflammatory process underlying chronic pancreatitis originates from animal studies or human studies based on circulating biomarkers. To provide new insight into the underlying fibro-inflammatory processes, we simultaneously assessed fibrosis biomarkers in pancreatic fluid collections and the systemic circulation. MATERIALS AND METHODS This prospective observational cross-sectional study included patients with […]

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 OBJECTIVE To explore the potential of a panel of ECM remodelling markers as endotyping tools for axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) by separating patients into subtypes and investigate how they differ among each other in disease activity scores and response to treatment with adalimumab. METHODS In three axSpA studies, a panel of 14 blood-based ECM biomarkers […]

Abstract BACKGROUND Persons with nonsevere hemophilia A (NSHA) experience less frequent joint bleeding than persons with severe hemophilia A, but may still develop joint damage. Biomarkers of cartilage and synovial remodeling can reflect ongoing pathologic processes that may precede or coincide with damage on joint imaging. If so, biomarkers may be an important diagnostic tool […]

Abstract BACKGROUND Diabetic cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) and distal symmetrical polyneuropathy (DSPN) are severe diabetic complications. Collagen type VI (COL6) and III (COL3) have been associated with nerve function. We investigated if markers of COL6 formation (PRO-C6) and COL3 degradation (C3M) were associated with neuropathy in people with type 1 diabetes (T1D). METHODS In a […]

Abstract BACKGROUND Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a common chronic inflammatory disease, associated with extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling of the cartilage, bone, and connective tissues. The primary symptom of axSpA is back pain, caused by inflammation. However, there is a medical need to truly identify patients with axSpA from other subjects with buttock or low back […]

Abstract BACKGROUND AND AIMS Heat shock protein (HSP)47 is a collagen-specific chaperone, essential for the correct formation of fibrillar procollagens. Collagen accumulation in the extracellular matrix (ECM) is a hallmark of fibrogenesis. The expression of HSP47 is proportional to the rate of collagen formation. Thus, HSP47 is a potential drug target for fibrotic diseases. We […]

Abstract CONTEXT Guidelines recommend blood-based fibrosis biomarkers to identify advanced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which is particularly prevalent in patients with obesity. OBJECTIVE To study whether the degree of obesity affects the performance of liver fibrosis biomarkers in NAFLD. DESIGN Cross-sectional cohort study comparing simple fibrosis scores [Fibrosis-4 Index (FIB-4); NAFLD Fibrosis Score (NFS); […]

Abstract To investigate the association between markers of synovial inflammation and matrix turnover (MRI-based and serum biomarkers) and knee symptoms in established knee osteoarthritis (KOA). This cross-sectional study utilised data from a randomised, multicentre placebo-controlled trial (UK-VIDEO) of vitamin D therapy in symptomatic KOA. Data on serum biomarkers, type III collagen degradation (C3M), metabolite of […]

Abstract BACKGROUND The signalling peptide endotrophin is derived through proteolytic cleavage of the carboxyl-terminal during formation of type VI collagen. It is expressed by most descendants of the mesenchymal stem cells lineage, including adipocytes and fibroblasts, and have been proposed to be a central extracellular matrix hormone associated with several age-related diseases. We aimed to […]