The predictive value of free thyroxine combined with tubular atrophy/interstitial fibrosis for poor prognosis in patients with IgA nephropathy.

Background: IgA nephropathy (IgAN), the most common type of glomerulonephritis, has great individual differences in prognosis. Many studies showed the relationship between thyroid hormones and chronic kidney disease. However, the relationship between free thyroxine (FT4), as a thyroid hormone, and IgAN is still unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of FT4 on IgAN prognosis. Methods: This retrospective study involved 223 patients with biopsy-proven IgAN. The renal composite outcomes were defined as: (1) ESRD, defined as eGFR < 15 ml/(min·1.73 m2) or initiation of renal replacement therapy (hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, renal transplantation); (2) serum creatinine doubled from baseline; (3) eGFR decreased by more than 50% from baseline. The predictive value was determined by the area under the curve (AUC). Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards analyses assessed renal progression and prognosis. Results: After 38 (26-54) months of follow-up, 23 patients (10.3%) experienced renal composite outcomes. Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis showed that the renal survival rate of the IgAN patients with FT4<15.18pmol/L was lower than that with FT4≥15.18pmol/L (P < 0. 001). Multivariate Cox regression model analysis showed that FT4 was a protective factor for poor prognosis of IgAN patients, whether as a continuous variable or a categorical variable (HR 0.68, 95%CI 0.51-0.90, P =0.007; HR 0.04, 95%CI 0.01-0.20, P <0.001). ROC curve analysis showed that FT4 combined with t score had a high predictive value for poor prognosis of IgAN patients (AUC=0.881, P<0.001). Conclusion: FT4 was a protective factor for IgAN. In addition, FT4 combined with tubular atrophy/interstitial fibrosis had a high predictive value for poor prognosis of IgAN.

Correlation between circulating fibrosis biomarkers with left atrial function and left atrial volume index in rheumatic mitral stenosis.

Mitral stenosis is the most common rheumatic heart disease (RHD) disorder worldwide, including in Indonesia. This pathological condition causes left atrial pressure, leading to left atrial fibrosis that affects the structure and function of the left atrial as well as the clinical condition. The aim of this study was to assess the correlation between circulating fibrosis biomarkers with net atrioventricular compliance (Cn) as a parameter of left atrial function, and left atrial volume index (LAVI) as a parameter left atrium structure of changes. A cross-sectional study was conducted at Panti Rahayu Hospital and Permata Bunda Hospital, Purwodadi, Central Java, with a total of 40 RHD patients with severe mitral stenosis. The ELISA was used to measure the levels of carboxy-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PICP), matrix metalloproteinase I (MMP-1), tissue inhibitor matrix metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1), and transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1). The left atrial function was assessed by measuring Cn, and the LAVI parameters were measured to assess left atrium structure/size. The mean levels of circulating fibrosis biomarkers were as follows: PICP 153.96±89.12 ng/mL; MMP-1 1.44±2.12 ng/mL; MMP-1/TIMP-1 ratio 0.38±0.54 and TGF-ß1 2.66±1.96 pg/mL. From the echocardiographic evaluation, the mean Cn was 5.24±1.93 mL/mmHg and the mean LAVI was 152.55±79.36 mL/m2. There were significant correlation between MMP-1 and MMP-1/TIMP-1 ratio with Cn (r=0.345 and r=0.333, respectively; both had p<0.05). PICP and TGF-ß1 biomarkers did not significantly correlate with Cn (p>0.05). Meanwhile, none of the biomarkers had a significant correlation with LAVI (p>0.05). This study highlights that MMP-1 and MMP-1/TIMP-1 ratio are potentially to be used as markers to determine the Cn in RHD patients with severe mitral stenosis. However, further studies with a higher sample size are needed to confirm this finding.

Carbohydrate antigen 125: a useful marker of congestion, fibrosis, and prognosis in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

AIMS: Heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a disease associated with high morbidity and mortality, for which it is difficult to identify patients with the poorest prognosis in routine clinical practice. Carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA 125) has been shown to be a potential marker of congestion and prognosis in HF. We sought to better characterize HFpEF patients with high CA 125 levels by using a multimodal approach. METHODS AND RESULTS: We prospectively enrolled 139 HFpEF patients (78 ± 8 years; 60% females) and 25 controls matched for age and sex (77 ± 5 years; 60% females). They underwent two-dimensional echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance with late gadolinium enhancement [including extracellular volume (ECV) measurement], and serum measurements of CA 125 level. The primary endpoint of the study was a composite of all-cause mortality or first HF hospitalization. The prognostic impact of CA 125 was determined using Cox proportional hazard models. Median CA 125 levels were significantly higher in HFpEF patients compared with controls [CA 125: 23.5 (14.5-44.7) vs. 14.6 (10.3-21.0) U/mL, P = 0.004]. CA 125 levels were positively correlated with a congestion marker [N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels, Pearson's r = 0.37, P < 0.001] and markers of cardiac fibrosis estimated by both ECV (Pearson's r = 0.26, P = 0.003) and fibroblast growth factor 23 levels (Pearson's r = 0.50, P < 0.001). Over a median follow-up of 49 (22-64) months, 97 HFpEF patients reached the composite endpoint. Even after adjustment for the Meta-Analysis Global Group in Chronic risk score, a CA 125 level ≥35 U/mL was still a significant predictor of the composite endpoint [hazard ratio (HR): 1.58 (1.04-2.41), P = 0.032] and more particularly of HF hospitalization [HR: 1.81 (1.13-2.92), P = 0.014]. In contrast, NT-proBNP levels were not an independent predictor. CONCLUSIONS: CA 125 levels were significantly higher in HFpEF patients compared with controls matched for age and sex and were associated with markers of congestion and cardiac fibrosis. CA 125 levels were a strong and independent predictor of HF hospitalization in HFpEF patients. These data suggest a potential value of CA 125 as a biomarker for staging and risk prediction in HFpEF.

Caspase-1 and interleukin-18 in children with post infectious bronchiolitis obliterans: a case-control study.

The exact immunological mechanisms of post infectious bronchiolitis obliterans (PIBO) in childhood are not fully known. It has been shown that the inflammasome and IL-18 pathway play important roles in the pathogenesis of lung fibrosis. We aimed to investigate the role of caspase-1, IL-18, and IL-18 components in PIBO. From January to May 2020, children with PIBO, children with history of influenza infection without PIBO, and healthy children were asked to participate in the study in three pediatric pulmonology centers. Serum caspase-1, IL-18, IL-18BP, IL-18R, and INF-γ levels were measured by ELISA and compared between the 3 groups. There were 21 children in the PIBO group, 16 children in the influenza group, and 39 children in the healthy control group. No differences in terms of age and gender between the 3 groups were found. IL-18 and IL-18BP levels were higher in the healthy control group (p = 0.018, p = 0.005, respectively). IL-18R was higher in the PIBO group (p = 0.001) and caspase-1 was higher in the PIBO and influenza group than the healthy control group (p = 0.002). IFN-γ levels did not differ between the 3 groups. IL-18BP/IL-18 was higher in the influenza group than the PIBO group and the healthy control group (p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Caspase-1 level was increased in patients with PIBO which suggests that inflammasome activation may have a role in fibrosis; however, IL-18 level was found to be low. Mediators other than IL-18 may be involved in the inflammatory pathway in PIBO. Further immunological studies investigating inflammasome pathway are needed for PIBO with chronic inflammation. WHAT IS KNOWN: • Post infectious bronchiolitis obliterans (PIBO) is a rare, severe chronic lung disease during childhood which is associated with inflammation and fibrosis which lead to partial or complete luminal obstruction especially in small airways. • The exact immunological mechanisms of PIBO in childhood are not fully known. WHAT IS NEW: • Inflammasome activation persists even years after acute infection and may play a role in fibrosis in PIBO. • Mediators other than IL-18 may be involved in these inflammatory pathway.

Neutralizing anti-IL-1 receptor antagonist autoantibodies induce inflammatory and fibrotic mediators in IgG4-related disease.

BACKGROUND: IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a fibroinflammatory condition involving loss of B-cell tolerance and production of autoantibodies. However, the relevant targets and role of these aberrant humoral immune responses are not defined. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to identify novel autoantibodies and autoantigen targets that promote pathogenic responses in IgG4-RD. METHODS: We sequenced plasmablast antibody repertoires in patients with IgG4-RD. Representative mAbs were expressed and their specificities characterized by using cytokine microarrays. The role of anti-IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA) autoantibodies was investigated by using in vitro assays. RESULTS: We identified strong reactivity against human IL-1RA by using a clonally expanded plasmablast-derived mAb from a patient with IgG4-RD. Plasma from patients with IgG4-RD exhibited elevated levels of reactivity against IL-1RA compared with plasma from the controls and neutralized IL-1RA activity, resulting in inflammatory and fibrotic mediator production in vitro. IL-1RA was detected in lesional tissues from patients with IgG4-RD. Patients with anti-IL-1RA autoantibodies of the IgG4 subclass had greater numbers of organs affected than did those without anti-IL-1RA autoantibodies. Peptide analyses identified IL-1RA epitopes targeted by anti-IL-1RA antibodies at sites near the IL-1RA/IL-1R interface. Serum from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) also had elevated levels of anti-IL-1RA autoantibodies compared with those of the controls. CONCLUSION: A subset of patients with IgG4-RD have anti-IL-1RA autoantibodies, which promote proinflammatory and profibrotic meditator production via IL-1RA neutralization. These findings support a novel immunologic mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of IgG4-RD. Anti-IL-1RA autoantibodies are also present in a subset of patients with SLE and RA, suggesting a potential common pathway in multiple autoimmune diseases.

Association between Markers of Fibrosis and Heart Failure Incidence in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and chronic heart failure (HF) have close association, and several biomarkers have been studied to better understand this association and improve prediction of HF in T2DM. Furthermore, in recent clinical trials, sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i), glucose-lowering drugs, improved HF outcomes. The objective of the present study was to evaluate association between circulating biomarkers of fibrosis and incidence of HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) in patients with T2DM receiving sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i). Materials and Methods. At baseline, transthoracic echocardiography and laboratory assessment of N-terminal fragment of the brain natriuretic peptide (Nt-proBNP), soluble suppression of tumorigenesis-2 (sST2), galectin-3 (Gal-3), C-terminal propeptide of procollagen type I (PICP), N-terminal propeptide of procollagen type III (PIIINP), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and tissue inhibitor of matrix proteinase-1 (TIMP-1) were done. After 3 years of follow-up, information about HF events (hospitalization for HF, established HF in outpatient department by a cardiologist) was obtained. Results. Seventy-two patients were included in the study. The mean age was 57 (49.7; 63.2) years; 44% were female. Most patients had T2DM for more than 4 years. All patients were overweight or had obesity, and 93% patients had arterial hypertension (AH). After 3 years of follow-up, HFpEF was established in 21% patients. Patients were divided into two groups according to the presence of HFpEF, and baseline characteristics were compared. Patients with HF were older and had longer diabetes and AH duration and higher Nt-proBNP, Gal-3, PIIINP, and PICP levels at baseline than patients without HF (all p < 0.05). Gal - 3 > 10 ng/ml (OR = 2.25; 95% CI, 1.88-5.66; p = 0.01) and NT - pro - BNP > 80 pg/ml (OR = 2.64; 95% CI, 1.56-4.44; p = 0.001) were associated with increased risk of HF incidence. Age > 60 years, diabetes duration > 10 years, and presence of abdominal obesity were independent predictors of HFpEF as well. Conclusions. T2DM patients treated with SLGT2i, who developed HFpEF after 3 years of follow-up, had higher PICP, PIIINP, Gal-3, and NT-proBNP serum concentrations at baseline, and Gal-3 level was an independent predictor of HFpEF.

Predicting portal thrombosis in cirrhosis: A prospective study of clinical, ultrasonographic and hemostatic factors.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is a relatively frequent event in patients with cirrhosis. While different risk factors for PVT have been reported, such as decreased portal blood flow velocity (PBFV) and parameters related with severity of portal hypertension, these are based on retrospective studies assessing only a discrete number of parameters. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the incidence and risks factors for non-tumoral PVT development in a large prospective cohort of patients with cirrhosis. METHODS: We performed an exhaustive evaluation of clinical, biochemical, inflammatory and acquired/hereditary hemostatic profiles in 369 patients with cirrhosis without PVT who were prospectively followed-up. Doppler ultrasound was performed at baseline and every 6 months or whenever clinically indicated. PVT development was always confirmed by computed tomography. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients developed non-tumoral PVT, with an incidence of 1.6%, 6% and 8.4% at 1, 3 and 5 years, respectively. Low platelet count, PBFV <15 cm/sec and history of variceal bleeding were factors independently associated with a high PVT risk. No relationship between PVT development and any other clinical biochemical, inflammatory and acquired or hereditary hemostatic parameter was found. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with cirrhosis, the factors predictive of PVT development were mainly those related to the severity of portal hypertension. Our results do not support the role of hemostatic alterations (inherited or acquired) and inflammatory markers in the prediction of PVT in patients with cirrhosis. LAY SUMMARY: Patients with cirrhosis and more severe portal hypertension are at higher risk of non-tumoral portal vein thrombosis development. Acquired or inherited hemostatic disorders, as well as inflammatory status, do not seem to predict the development of portal vein thrombosis in patients with cirrhosis.

Untargeted lipidomics uncovers lipid signatures that distinguish severe from moderate forms of acutely decompensated cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Acute decompensation (AD) of cirrhosis is a heterogeneous clinical entity associated with moderate mortality. In some patients, this condition develops quickly into the more deadly acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF), in which other organs such as the kidneys or brain fail. The aim of this study was to characterize the blood lipidome in a large series of patients with cirrhosis and identify specific signatures associated with AD and ACLF development. METHODS: Serum untargeted lipidomics was performed in 561 patients with AD (518 without and 43 with ACLF) (discovery cohort) and in 265 patients with AD (128 without and 137 with ACLF) in whom serum samples were available to perform repeated measurements during the 28-day follow-up (validation cohort). Analyses were also performed in 78 patients with AD included in a therapeutic albumin trial (43 patients with compensated cirrhosis and 29 healthy individuals). RESULTS: The circulating lipid landscape associated with cirrhosis was characterized by a generalized suppression, which was more manifest during AD and in non-surviving patients. By computing discriminating accuracy and the variable importance projection score for each of the 223 annotated lipids, we identified a sphingomyelin fingerprint specific for AD of cirrhosis and a distinct cholesteryl ester and lysophosphatidylcholine fingerprint for ACLF. Liver dysfunction and infections were the principal net contributors to these fingerprints, which were dynamic and interchangeable between patients with AD whose condition worsened to ACLF and those who improved. Notably, blood lysophosphatidylcholine levels increased in these patients after albumin therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provide insights into the lipid landscape associated with decompensation of cirrhosis and ACLF progression and identify unique non-invasive diagnostic biomarkers of advanced cirrhosis. LAY SUMMARY: Analysis of lipids in blood from patients with advanced cirrhosis reveals a general suppression of their levels in the circulation of these patients. A specific group of lipids known as sphingomyelins are useful to distinguish between patients with compensated and decompensated cirrhosis. Another group of lipids designated cholesteryl esters further distinguishes patients with decompensated cirrhosis who are at risk of developing organ failures.

Myosteatosis in NAFLD patients correlates with plasma Cathepsin D.

Previously, we have shown that hepatic lipid accumulation induces the secretion of cathepsin D (CTSD), and that plasma CTSD levels are associated with increased inflammation and disease severity in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Although it is clear that the liver is a major source of plasma CTSD, it is unknown whether other metabolically active organs such as the muscle, also associate with plasma CTSD levels in NAFLD patients. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the relation between lipid accumulation in the muscle (myosteatosis) and plasma CTSD levels in forty-five NAFLD patients. We observed that hepatic steatosis positively associated with plasma CTSD levels, confirming the previously established link between plasma CTSD and the liver. Furthermore, a positive association between myosteatosis and plasma CTSD levels was observed, which was independent of sex, age, BMI, waist circumference and hepatic steatosis. By establishing a positive association between myosteatosis and plasma CTSD levels, our findings suggest that, in addition to the liver, the muscle is also linked to plasma CTSD levels in NAFLD patients. The observed link between myosteatosis and plasma CTSD levels supports the concept of a significant role of the skeletal muscle in metabolic disturbances in metabolic syndrome-related disorders.

Soluble ST2, a biomarker of fibrosis, is associated with multiple risk factors, chronic diseases and total mortality in the OPERA study.

Several diseases have a deleterious fibrosis component. Biomarkers indicating potential clinical utility that reliably reflect the degree of fibrosis have been introduced, one of them being soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (sST2). The aim of our study was to explore the association of cardiometabolic risk factors, different diseases and total mortality with biomarker sST2 and see, how fibrosis is portrayed in these conditions. In addition, we were interested to see if sST2 levels could predict fibrosis in the long-term (21 years). The Oulu Project Elucidating Risk of Atherosclerosis (OPERA) survey collected data on the same individuals in years 1991-1993 (baseline, n = 1045), 2013-2014 (follow-up, n = 600) and mortality data until year 2019. Smoking at baseline retained a significant association with sST2 levels reflecting fibrosis development 20 years later. In the multivariate model male gender, diabetes, quick-index, levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALAT), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were associated with elevated sST2 levels at the examination 2013-2014. sST2 levels were higher among subjects suffering from cardiovascular disease (p = .031), cancer (p = .021), mild cognitive decline (p = .046) and diabetes (p < .001). Total mortality was assessed by using the Cox proportional hazard survival model analysis. sST2 (log-transformed) was an independent predictor of total mortality (HR 9.4; 95% CI 2.8-31.4, p<.001) when age, gender, diabetes, smoking, quick-index, levels of ALAT, HDL-cholesterol and hsCRP were added as covariates. In addition, elevated levels indicated worse prognosis and predicted mortality.

IL-38 Exerts Anti-Inflammatory and Antifibrotic Effects in Thyroid-Associated Ophthalmopathy.

CONTEXT: Thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) is an organ-specific autoimmune disease closely associated with Graves' disease. IL-38, a novel cytokine in the IL-1 superfamily, has been reported to be involved in the pathogenesis of various autoimmune diseases. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the relationship between IL-38 and TAO disease activity and its role in inflammation and fibrosis in TAO. METHODS: Blood samples and orbital connective tissues were collected from TAO patients and controls. Orbital fibroblasts were isolated from patients with TAO. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot analysis were performed. RESULTS: Here, we demonstrated that IL-38 levels decreased in the circulation and orbital connective tissues of patients with TAO compared with the controls, and levels were negatively correlated with the clinical activity score. In vitro, potent anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic effects of IL-38 were observed. Furthermore, we revealed that IL-38 can counteract the phosphorylation of star molecules in multiple classical pathways. CONCLUSION: IL-38 plays a protective role in TAO and is associated with its pathogenesis. Our data suggest that IL-38 may be a promising marker of TAO disease activity and a potential target for TAO therapy.

Post-transfusion hemoglobin response in patients with cirrhosis: Can we expect a 1 g/dL rise per unit transfused?

BACKGROUND: A patient's hemoglobin is typically expected to rise by 1 g/dL/unit transfused PRBCs. However, it has been theorized that mechanisms such as hyperbilirubinemia and splenomegaly might lead to either a direct lysis or sequestration of red blood cells that could decrease this proportionate response. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Patients with resolved GI bleeding but still requiring transfusion to correct anemia were compared in cirrhosis and control groups. A retrospective chart review between 2015 and 2020 was conducted at a single institution. Data collected included age, sex, BMI, GI bleed diagnosis, number of PRBCs transfused, presence of splenomegaly and spleen size, alcohol use history, type of cirrhosis, MELD-Na at admission, GFR, and pre-and post-transfusion labs: total bilirubin, ALT, hemoglobin, hematocrit. A logic regression was performed for each group looking at which factors were associated with a successful response (defined as >0.9 g/dL hemoglobin per unit transfused). RESULTS: Mean change in hemoglobin was 0.77 g/dL in patients with cirrhosis compared to 1.46 g/dL in patients without (P < .001, N = 103). Odds ratios for presence of splenomegaly (0.22, N = 78) and female sex (4.39, N = 102) in predicting adequate response (>0.9 g/dL/unit) were both significant (P = .002) as well as portal hypertensive bleed diagnosis (0.28, N = 85, P = .0015). Factors that did not contribute included: age, race, BMI, alcohol use, GFR, change in ALT, and change in total bilirubin. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with cirrhosis have an approximately 50% decreased response to transfusion with PRBCs after resolution of a gastrointestinal bleed in comparison to patients without cirrhosis. Risk factors included splenomegaly, portal hypertension, and male sex.

Associations of serum monocyte-to-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio with digital ulcers and skin fibrosis in patients with systemic sclerosis.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the monocyte-to-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (MHR) and clinical manifestations in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).Method: This was a cross-sectional analysis of a cohort study comprising 111 female SSc patients recruited from a tertiary care rheumatology centre. We also assessed 222 age-matched female healthy controls. Serum MHR was measured in all study participants. Digital ulcer (DU) was defined as an active or healed ulceration, and the magnitude of skin fibrosis was determined according to the modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS).Results: The mean age and median disease duration in patients with SSc were 56.3 years and 98 months, respectively. The MHR in SSc patients was significantly higher than that in controls. DU was found in 35 patients (31.5%) with SSc (active in 12 and healed in 23), and the median mRSS was 8. SSc patients with DU had a significantly higher median MHR than those without (11.43 vs 7.62, p < 0.001), and MHR significantly positively correlated with mRSS (ρ = 0.289, p = 0.002). Multivariable logistic regression revealed that an elevated MHR was independently associated with increased risk of DU (odds ratio = 1.21; 95% confidence interval = 1.07-1.35; p = 0.002). In the multivariable linear regression analysis, higher MHR showed a significant association with increased log-transformed mRSS (unstandardized ß = 0.052, p = 0.003).Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the MHR could be serve as a potential biomarker of the risk of DU and advanced skin fibrosis in patients with SSc.

Expression of ApoA5 and its function in the right ventricular failing and remodeling secondary to pulmonary hypertension.

Right heart failure and right ventricular (RV) remodeling were the main reason for mortality of pulmonary hypertension (PH) patients. Apolipoprotein AV (ApoA5) is a key regulator of plasma triglyceride and have multifunction in several target organs. We detected decreased ApoA5 in serum of patients with PH and both in serum and RV of monocrotaline-induced PH model. Exogenously, overexpression ApoA5 by adenovirus showed protective effects on RV failure and RV fibrosis secondary to PH. In addition, in vitro experiments showed ApoA5 attenuated the activation of fibroblast induced by transforming growth factor ß1 and synthesis and secretion of extracellular matrix by inhibiting focal adhesion kinase-c-Jun N-terminal kinase-Smad3 pathway. Finally, we suggest that ApoA5 may potentially be a pivotal target for RV failure and fibrosis secondary of PH.

Plasma levels of apelin are reduced in patients with liver fibrosis and cirrhosis but are not correlated with circulating levels of bone morphogenetic protein 9 and 10.

BACKGROUND: The peptide apelin is expressed in human healthy livers and is implicated in the development of hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis. Mutations in the bone morphogenetic protein receptor type II (BMPR-II) result in reduced plasma levels of apelin in patients with heritable pulmonary arterial hypertension. Ligands for BMPR-II include bone morphogenetic protein 9 (BMP9), highly expressed in liver, and BMP10, expressed in heart and to a lesser extent liver. However, it is not known whether reductions in BMP9 and/or BMP10, with associated reduction in BMPR-II signalling, correlate with altered levels of apelin in patients with liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. METHODS: Plasma from patients with liver fibrosis (n = 14), cirrhosis (n = 56), and healthy controls (n = 25) was solid-phase extracted using a method optimised for recovery of apelin, which was measured by ELISA. RESULTS: Plasma apelin was significantly reduced in liver fibrosis (8.3 ± 1.2 pg/ml) and cirrhosis (6.5 ± 0.6 pg/ml) patients compared with controls (15.4 ± 2.0 pg/ml). There was no obvious relationship between apelin and BMP 9 or BMP10 previously measured in these patients. Within the cirrhotic group, there was no significant correlation between apelin levels and disease severity scores, age, sex, or treatment with ß-blockers. CONCLUSIONS: Apelin was significantly reduced in plasma of patients with both early (fibrosis) and late-stage (cirrhosis) liver disease. Fibrosis is more easily reversible and may represent a potential target for new therapeutic interventions. However, it remains unclear whether apelin signalling is detrimental in liver disease or is beneficial and therefore, whether an apelin antagonist or agonist have clinical use.

Large-Scale Characterization of Systemic Sclerosis Serum Protein Profile: Comparison to Peripheral Blood Cell Transcriptome and Correlations With Skin/Lung Fibrosis.

OBJECTIVE: To provide a large-scale assessment of serum protein dysregulation in diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc) and to investigate serum protein correlates of SSc fibrotic features. METHODS: We investigated serum protein profiles of 66 participants with dcSSc at baseline who were enrolled in the Scleroderma: Cyclophosphamide or Transplant Trial and 66 age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects. A panel of 230 proteins, including several cytokines and chemokines, was investigated. Whole blood gene expression profiling in concomitantly collected samples was performed. RESULTS: Among the participants with dcSSc, the mean disease duration was 2.3 years. All had interstitial lung disease (ILD), and none were being treated with immunosuppressive agents at baseline. Ninety proteins were differentially expressed in participants with dcSSc compared to healthy control subjects. Similar to previous global skin transcript results, hepatic fibrosis, granulocyte and agranulocyte adhesion, and diapedesis were the top overrepresented pathways. Eighteen proteins correlated with the modified Rodnan skin thickness score (MRSS). Soluble epidermal growth factor receptor was significantly down-regulated in dcSSc and showed the strongest negative correlation with the MRSS, being predictive of the score's course over time, whereas α1 -antichymotrypsin was significantly up-regulated in dcSSc and showed the strongest positive correlation with the MRSS. Furthermore, higher levels of cancer antigen 15-3 correlated with more severe ILD, based on findings of reduced forced vital capacity and higher scores of disease activity on high-resolution computed tomography. Only 14 genes showed significant differential expression in the same direction in serum protein and whole blood RNA gene expression analyses. CONCLUSION: Diffuse cutaneous SSc has a distinct serum protein profile with prominent dysregulation of proteins related to fibrosis and immune cell adhesion/diapedesis. The differential expression for most serum proteins in SSc is likely to originate outside the peripheral blood cells.

Analysis of novel serum markers of fibrosis and angiogenesis in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis.

INTRODUCTION: Alcohol consumption causes acute and chronic liver injury. The clinical forms of alcohol liver disease (ALD) include steatosis, hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) associated with liver cirrhosis. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine the levels of novel markers of fibrogenesis and angiogenesis in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis. Serum levels of angiopoietin-like peptide 4 (ANGPTL-4), asialoglycoprotein receptor 1 (ASGP-R1), and S100 calcium-binding protein A8 (S100A8) were assessed. Levels of hyaluronic acid (Hyal) and collagen IV (Coll IV) werealso determined at various stages of alcoholic liver cirrhosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 72 patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis, while the control group included 22 healthy subjects without a history of alcohol abuse. The degree of liver cirrhosis was evaluated according to the Pugh-Child criteria (Pugh-Child score). Based on thse scores, patients were assigned to one of three groups: Pugh-Child (P-Ch) A - 21 with stage A, P-Ch B - 23 with stage B and P-Ch C - 28 with stage C liver cirrhosis. Serum levels of markers were determined using ELISA. RESULTS: The study findings demonstrated higher levels of ANGPTL-4, ASGP-R1, S100A, hyaluronic acid and serum collagen IV in the group of patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis, compared to the control group. Furthermore, their levels increased with the progression of alcoholic liver cirrhosis. CONCLUSIONS: The biomarkers analysed in the study may be useful for diagnosis and prognosis in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis.

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Chronic Heart Failure with Midrange and Preserved Ejection Fraction: A Focus on Serum Biomarkers of Fibrosis.

As myocardial fibrosis might be an important contributor to the association of diabetes mellitus with left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and chronic heart failure (HF), we investigated the profile of some proinflammatory, profibrotic biomarkers in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) at various stages of the cardiovascular disease continuum from absence of clinic since and symptoms to HF with preserved (HFpEF) and midrange ejection fraction (HFmrEF). Material and Methods. Sixty-two patients with T2DM (age 60 [55; 61]), 20 patients without clinical manifestations of HF and 2 groups with clinical manifestations of stable HF, 29 patients with HFpEF, and 13 patients with HFmrEF, were included in the study. The control group consisted of 13 healthy subjects and normal BMI. All patients underwent transthoracic echocardiography, laboratory assessment of N-terminal fragment of the brain natriuretic peptide (Nt-proBNP), highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), soluble suppression of tumorigenesis-2 (sST2), galectin-3, C-terminal propeptide of procollagen type I (PICP), N-terminal propeptide of procollagen type III (PIIINP), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and tissue inhibitor of matrix proteinase-1 (TIMP-1). Results. Patients with HFmrEF had higher values of LV volumetric parameters, indexed parameters of LV myocardial mass (LVMM), and higher concentrations of Nt-proBNP (all p < 0.05). The concentrations of galectin-3 were greater in patients with HFpEF and HFmrEF compared to patients without HF (p = 0.01 and p = 0.03, respectively). PICP and PICP/PIIINP ratio were greater in patients with HFmrEF compared to patients with HFpEF (p = 0.043 and p = 0.033, respectively). In patients with T2DM and HF, a relationship was found between galectin-3 and LVMM/body surface area (r = -0.58, p = 0.001), PIIINP, TIMP-1, and LV end-diastolic volume (r = -0.68 and p = 0.042 and r = 0.38 and p = 0.02, respectively). Conclusion. The dynamics at various stages of the cardiovascular disease continuum in the serum fibrosis markers may reflect an increase in fibrotic and decrease in antifibrotic processes already at the preclinical stage of HF. At the same time, the changes found in the circulating procollagen levels may indicate a shift in balance towards type I collagen synthesis in HFmrEF compared with HFpEF.

A composite biomarker using multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging and blood analytes accurately identifies patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and significant fibrosis.

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is major health burden lacking effective pharmacological therapies. Clinical trials enrol patients with histologically-defined NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease) activity score (NAS) ≥ 4 and Kleiner-Brunt fibrosis stage (F) ≥ 2; however, screen failure rates are often high following biopsy. This study evaluated a non-invasive MRI biomarker, iron-corrected T1 mapping (cT1), as a diagnostic pre-screening biomarker for NASH. In a retrospective analysis of 86 biopsy confirmed NAFLD patients we explored the potential of blood and imaging biomarkers, both in isolation and in combination, to discriminate those who have NAS ≥ 4 and F ≥ 2 from those without. Stepwise logistic regression was performed to select the optimal combination of biomarkers, diagnostic accuracy was determined using area under the receiver operator curve and model validated confirmed with and fivefold cross-validation. Results showed that levels of cT1, AST, GGT and fasting glucose were all good predictors of NAS ≥ 4 and F ≥ 2, and the model identified the combination of cT1-AST-fasting glucose (cTAG) as far superior to any individual biomarker (AUC 0.90 [0.84-0.97]). This highlights the potential utility of the composite cTAG score for screening patients prior to biopsy to identify those suitable for NASH clinical trial enrolment.

Relation of Biomarkers of Cardiac Injury, Stress, and Fibrosis With Cardiac Mechanics in Patients ≥ 65 Years of Age.

High sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hscTnT), soluble ST2 (sST2), N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and galectin-3 are biomarkers of cardiac injury, stress, myocardial stretch, and fibrosis. Elevated levels are associated with poor outcomes. However, their association with cardiac mechanics in older persons is unknown. Associations between these biomarkers and cardiac mechanics derived from speckle tracking echocardiography, including left ventricular longitudinal strain (LVLS), early diastolic strain, and left atrial reservoir strain (LARS) were evaluated using standardized beta coefficients () in a cross sectional analysis with cardiac biomarkers in older patients without cardiovascular disease, low ejection fraction, or wall motion abnormalities. Biomarker associations with strain were attenuated by demographics and risk factors. In adjusted models, LVLS was associated with continuous measures of hscTnT (ß∧-0.06, p = 0.020), sST2 (ß∧ -0.05, p = 0.024) and NT-proBNP (ß∧ -0.06, p = 0.007). "High" levels (i.e., greater than prognostic cutpoint) of hscTnT (>13 ng/ml), sST2 (>35 ng/ml), and NT-proBNP (>190 pg/ml) were also associated with worse LVLS. In risk factor adjusted models, LARS was associated with hscTnT (ß∧ -0.08, p = 0.003) and NT-proBNP (ß∧-0.18, p <0.0001). High hscTnT (>13 ng/ml) and high NT-proBNP (>190 pg/ml) were also both associated with worse LARS. Gal-3 was not associated with any strain measure. In conclusion, in persons ≥ 65 years of age, without cardiovascular disease, low ejection fraction, or wall motion abnormalities, hscTnT, sST2, and NT-proBNP are associated with worse LVLS. HscTnT and NT-proBNP are associated with worse LARS. In conclusion, these subclinical increases in blood biomarkers, and their associations with subtle diastolic and systolic dysfunction, may represent pre-clinical heart failure.