Publications

Abstract KEY POINTS Increased activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) and elevated growth factor production are of crucial importance in the development of renal fibrosis leading to diabetic kidney disease. The aim of this study was to provide evidence for the antifibrotic potential of RAAS inhibitor (RAASi) treatment and to explore the exact mechanism of […]

Abstract There is a need for noninvasive biomarkers that can identify patients with progressive liver fibrosis and monitor response to antifibrotic therapy. An equally important need is identification of patients with spontaneous fibrosis regression, since they may not need treatment nor be included in clinical studies with fibrosis as end point. Circulating biomarkers, originating from […]

Abstract To determine the pre-procedural value of different fibrotic biomarkers and comprehensive cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) for the prediction of poor response to ablation therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Left atrial (LA) late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) and native LA T1 relaxation times were assessed using CMR. Plasma levels of relaxin, myeloperoxidase and serum […]

Abstract Aim Collagens are major cardiac extracellular matrix components, known to be actively remodelled and accumulated during diffuse myocardial fibrosis. We evaluated whether accelerated collagen turnover described by neo-epitope biomarkers reflecting collagen formation and degradation separates patients with diffuse myocardial fibrosis from asymptomatic controls. Methods and results Seventy-one women with angina pectoris without significant coronary […]

Abstract Immuno-therapy has begun to revolutionize cancer treatment. However, despite the significant progress achieved in regard to the duration of clinical benefits, a substantial number of patients do not respond to these therapies. To improve the outcome of patients receiving immuno-therapy, there is a need for novel biomarkers that can predict and monitor treatment. Tumor […]

Abstract PURPOSE OF REVIEW There is an increasing demand for noninvasive and descriptive biochemical markers (biomarkers) in osteoarthritis; for enabling early drug development (including translational research), evaluating clinical trial at an early stage and for subtyping. Purpose of the review is to review and comment on current availability of such biomarkers. RECENT FINDINGS Many different […]

Abstract Usually the dense extracellular structure in fibrotic tissues is described as extracellular matrix (ECM) or simply as collagen. However, fibrosis is not just fibrosis, which is already exemplified by the variant morphological characteristics of fibrosis due to viral versus cholestatic, autoimmune or toxic liver injury, with reticular, chicken wire and bridging fibrosis. Importantly, the […]

Abstract BACKGROUND Renal fibrogenesis is associated with increased ECM remodeling and release of collagen fragments in urine in progressive renal disease. We investigated the diagnostic value of urinary collagen degradation products in a proteinuria-driven fibrosis rat model with and without anti-fibrotic S1P-receptor modulator FTY720 treatment. METHODS Proteinuria was induced in male Wistar rats by Adriamycin […]

Abstract UNLABELLED Essentials Joint bleeding in hemophilia may induce significant remodeling of the extracellular matrix. Biomarkers of collagen turnover were investigated in a F8 rat model of hemophilic arthropathy. Biomarkers of cartilage degradation increased significantly during development of arthropathy. Basement membrane and interstitial matrix turnover changed significantly following hemarthrosis. SUMMARY Background Hemophilic arthropathy is a […]

Abstract During chronic kidney disease (CKD) there is a dysregulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) homeostasis leading to renal fibrosis. Lysosomal proteases such as cathepsins (Cts) regulate this process in other organs, however, their role in CKD is still unknown. Here we describe a novel role for cathepsins in CKD. CtsD and B were located in […]