Publications

Abstract OBJECTIVES To assess basement membrane remodelling in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) by studying serum levels of type IV collagen (C4M) and laminin (LG1M) fragments and their association with disease profile. METHODS One hundred and six SLE patients without and 20 with previous cardiovascular events were included. One hundred and twenty male and female blood […]

Abstract We evaluated biomarkers related to kidney fibrosis for the outcome of patients with IgA nephropathy (IgAN). Clinical parameters (estimated glomerular filtration rate, hypertension, proteinuria) and histological findings were assessed in 134 patients with IgAN at the time of diagnosis and followed up prospectively (mean follow-up time, 56.5 months). We measured biomarkers of collagen and […]

Abstract BACKGROUND The laminin gamma 1 chain (LMγ1) is abundant along the crypt-villus axis in the intestinal basement membrane. AIMS We investigated whether a serological biomarker of laminin degradation was associated with disease activity in patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) and in rats with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. METHODS Serum samples from CD patients […]

Abstract Background Patients with atherosclerosis have a high risk of cardiovascular events and death. Atherosclerosis is characterized by accumulation of lipids, cells and extracellular matrix proteins in the intima. We hypothesized that dysregulated remodeling of the basement membrane proteins may be associated with clinical outcomes in patients with atherosclerosis. Methods and Results Neoepitope fragments of […]

Abstract BACKGROUND Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have increased risk of development of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and early mortality. Fibrosis is the central pathogenic process in CKD and is caused by dysregulated extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling. The laminin γ1 chain (LAMC1) is a core structural protein present in the basement membrane of several […]