Publications

Abstract Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by fibrosis. Alport syndrome, a common monogenic form of CKD caused by collagen type IV variants, leads to basement membrane defects and progressive fibrosis. Understanding extracellular matrix dynamics is crucial for identifying disease-specific biomarkers and optimizing therapeutic timing. We applied a discovery approach combining stable C-lysine metabolic labeling […]

Abstract BACKGROUND Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) infection remains a global health burden, contributing to the risk of long-term complications such as progressive fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma, particularly in undiagnosed or untreated individuals. Novel biomarkers for the assessment of disease progression and prognosis are required for fibroinflammatory chronic liver disease. Our study population from the […]

Abstract BACKGROUND & AIMS Drug development for metabolic and alcohol-related liver disease (MetALD) and Alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) is emerging, but designing clinical trials remain challenging due to unknown disease progression rates and a lack of validated surrogate endpoints. We studied fibrosis progression rates and determinants of progression using dual liver biopsies and compared the […]

Abstract INTRODUCTION Epiphyseal growth plate development is stimulated by GH and IGF-I. Serum IGF-I is applied as an efficacy and safety marker, monitoring growth in short GH-treated children. However, IGF-I offers poor guidance to clinicians, especially in children without GHD. Thus, novel biomarkers reflecting endogenous and GH-induced linear growth are needed. We evaluated the association […]

Abstract BACKGROUND Molecular endotyping may facilitate the successful development of personalized treatments of knee osteoarthritis (KOA). The aim of this exploratory and hypothesis-generating study was to develop a clinically actionable tool for predicting molecular endotypes of KOA using blood-based biomarkers, and to explore the potential for differential treatment effects across biomarker-based endotypes in prior phase […]

Abstract RATIONALE Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare cystic lung disease driven by nodules containing “LAM cells” and recruited LAM-associated fibroblasts. Although rapamycin reduces lung function loss, some patients continue to decline, meaning additional therapies are needed. OBJECTIVES To investigate how the LAM nodule environment affects LAM cell proliferation and the response to rapamycin. METHODS Proteins […]

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Abstract In Crohn’s disease, extracellular matrix (ECM) dysfunction and loss of tissue integrity are key pathological features. Fibril-associated collagens with interrupted triple helices (FACIT) are known to regulate ECM assembly and mediate biophysical cues in their microenvironment but remain largely understudied. This study aimed to investigate a novel biomarker reflecting remodelling of the FACIT collagen […]

Abstract BACKGROUND Novel collagen-derived circulating peptides, such as endotrophin, have been proposed as biomarkers of myocardial fibrosis. OBJECTIVES We aimed to determine the effect of pirfenidone, an antifibrotic agent, on circulating levels of these peptides, and their association with cardiovascular magnetic resonance extracellular volume (ECV). METHODS In the PIROUETTE (Pirfenidone in Patients with Heart Failure […]

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