Extracellular matrix (ECM) homeostasis is highly affected in active inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The aim of the study was to investigate serological biomarkers of type III, IV, and V collagen degradation and formation, and their association with disease activity in IBD. ECM remodeling serum biomarkers were measured in 162 IBD patients, 110 with Crohn's disease (CD) and 52 with ulcerative colitis (UC), and in 29 healthy donors. Biomarkers of type III collagen degradation (C3M) and formation (PRO-C3), type IV collagen degradation (C4M) and formation (PRO-C4), and type V collagen formation (PRO-C5) were measured using ELISA. Inflammatory activity was assessed using endoscopic, clinical, and biochemical activity indices. The highest diagnostic value was identified in discriminating endoscopically moderate to severe disease in CD (PRO-C3, C3M/PRO-C3, and C4M with AUC of 0.70, 0.73, and 0.69, respectively) and UC (C3M, C3M/PRO-C3, and C4M with AUC of 0.86, 0.80, and 0.76, respectively). C4M and C3M/PRO-C3 in combination yielded AUC of 0.93 (0.66-0.90) in CD and 0.94 (0.65-0.99) in UC. This study confirmed that ECM remodeling reflected disease activity in CD and UC. A combination of C4M, C3M, and PRO-C3 biomarkers may potentially be considered as a biomarker differentiating moderate to severe endoscopic disease.
Keywords: Crohn’s disease; biomarkers; collagen; extracellular matrix; inflammatory bowel disease; ulcerative colitis.