Publications

Abstract BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a highly contagious respiratory disease characterised by systemic inflammation and lung tissue damage. In injured lungs, fibroblast activity increases in response to tissue insult and has been shown to be prognostic in fibrotic disease. This study investigated whether fibroblast activity is associated with mortality in severe COVID-19. METHOD […]

Abstract Extracellular matrix (ECM) turnover and neutrophil protease activity contribute to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) pathobiology, but the prognostic value of circulating neoepitopes for acute exacerbations (AECOPD) is uncertain. In a prospective cohort from the CORTICO-COP trial, the biomarkers C5M and C6M (type V/VI collagen degradation), ELP-3 (proteinase 3-generated elastin fragment), and CPa9-HNE (neutrophil […]

Abstract AIMS Kidney fibrosis, characterised by impaired extracellular matrix remodelling and excessive collagen deposition, is a hallmark of chronic kidney disease in diabetes. We investigated whether biomarkers reflecting collagen formation and degradation were associated with complications in type 1 diabetes. METHODS In this observational cohort study, markers of collagen type III (PRO-C3), VII (PRO-C7) and […]

Abstract Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are key drivers of extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition and remodeling in the tumor microenvironment (TME), processes that facilitate tumor progression and metastasis. However, CAFs exhibit significant heterogeneity and functional complexity, posing challenges for effective therapeutic targeting. In this study, we evaluated the production of three important ECM proteins – type I […]

Abstract BACKGROUND Biliary tract cancer (BTC) is an uncommon malignancy with limited treatment options and poor prognosis. BTC is typically characterized by a desmoplastic, collagen-rich extracellular matrix (ECM), which has been linked to immune exclusion and therapy resistance. Although immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) combined with gemcitabine/cisplatin have become first-line treatment for advanced BTC, durable responses […]

Abstract Obesity is a powerful driver in the development and progression of osteoarthritis (OA), contributing to increased mechanical load and metabolic stress, making it a valuable target for treatment. Weight loss is a cornerstone of OA management, improving patients’ quality of life and disease outcomes. This review examines the potential of dual amylin and calcitonin […]

Abstract BACKGROUND & AIMS Healing after total hip arthroplasty (THA) involves remodelling of collagenous tissues, such as bone. While collagen protein supplementation has been suggested to modulate bone metabolism, the effects following THA are yet to be investigated. Therefore, we aimed to characterize changes in biomarkers of bone metabolism following THA and to assess the […]

Abstract PURPOSE The inflammatory, angiogenic and neurogenic pathways of osteoarthritis (OA) might already be present in patients with patellofemoral pain (PFP), a supposed precursor of OA. In this study, differences in serum levels of biomarkers of inflammation, angiogenesis and neurogenesis were compared between PFP patients and healthy controls. Furthermore, we aimed to determine the associations […]

Abstract OBJECTIVE To evaluate the association of neoepitopes from type I and II collagen with knee osteoarthritis (OA) progression phenotypes using data from the OA-FNIH biomarker consortium, with comparison to associations of the other biomarkers assessed in this sample during the consortium’s phase 1 analysis. DESIGN Serum (s) and urinary (u) neoepitopes of type I […]

Abstract BACKGROUND AND AIMS Betaine, 20 g/day for 12 months, reduced liver injury in several trials in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Our aim was to determine the safety and efficacy of lower doses of betaine in clinically diagnosed metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and an elevated ALT. APPROACH AND RESULTS We performed 3 pilot trials in […]