Saritha Adepu

Our research aim is to identify and evaluate extra cellular matrix (ECM) protein degradation molecules i.e., Matrikines generated as a result of ECM remodeling and repair in pathological inflammation, with special focus on evaluating their role as biomarkers. These ECM fragments can be of tremendous importance and has potential to serve as disease and stage specific biomarkers. Currently we are exploring such biomarkers in Osteoarthritis and colon cancer

My Research in my PhD (University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands) was mainly focused on investigating role of extracellular matrix proteins in regeneration and repair, especially proteoglycans in renal transplantation model with special focus on Syndecan-1, that include both in vivo and in vitro studies, with an aim to translate our pre-clinical outcome to clinics. I have explored the role of renal and hepatic syndecan-1 in mouse models of renal Ischemia/reperfusion injury, rat renal transplantation model and in human renal allograft transplantation. After my PhD I worked as a Research Assistant at NUS, Singapore, investigating the role of proteoglycans in breast cancer.

During my postdoctoral research at Amsterdam Medical Centre, The Netherlands, I have worked on direct trans-differentiation of mouse cardiac fibroblasts into pacemaker cells by retroviral mediated transduction of cardiac transcription factors. In my research career so far I have gained knowledge in pre-clinical mouse disease models and mammalian cell cultures. I have a long standing interest in Matrix Biology.

1. Adepu S, Lord M, Hugoh Z, Nyström S, Mattsson-Hulten L, Abrahamsson-Aurell K, Lützelschwab C, Skiöldebrand E. Salivary biglycan-neo-epitope-BGN²⁶²: A novel surrogate biomarker for equine osteoarthritic sub-chondral bone sclerosis and to monitor the effect of short-term training and surface arena. Osteoarthr Cartil Open. 2023 Mar 15;5(2):100354. doi: 10.1016/j.ocarto.2023.100354. eCollection 2023 Jun.PMID: 36968250 Free PMC article.
2. Nyström S, Kendall A, Adepu S, Lindahl A, Skiöldebrand E. The expression of nerve growth factor in healthy and inflamed equine chondrocytes analysed by capillary western immunoassay. Res Vet Sci. 2022 Dec 10;151:156-163. doi: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2022.08.015. Epub 2022 Aug 22.PMID: 36029605 Free article.
3. Adepu S, Ekman S, Leth J, Johansson U, Lindaahl A, Skiöldebrand E. Biglycan Neo-epitope(BGN²⁶²),a Novel biomarker for screening early changes in equine osteoarthritic subchondral bone. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2022 Jul 21:S1063-4584(22)00797-X. doi: 10.1016/j.joca.2022.07.005. 
4. Shrestha P, Adepu S, Vives R, Klooster A, Kaptein F, Dam W, Leuvenink HGD, Bakker SJ, van Goor H, van de Sluis B, van den Born J. Hypercholesterolemia in Progressive Renal Failure Associates with Changes In Hepatic Heparan Sulfate-PCSK9 interaction. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2021 Jun 32 (6) 1371-1388.
5. Adepu S, Oosterwerff EFJ, Christoffels VM, Boink GJJ. Direct Reprograming to Regenerate Myocardium and Repair Its Pacemaker and Conduction System. Medicines (Basel). 2018 Jun 4;5(2).
6. Talsma DT, Katta K, Boersema M, Adepu S, Naggi A, Torri G, Stegeman C, Navis G, van Goor H, Hillebrands JL, Yazdani S, van den Born J. Increased migration of antigen presenting cells to newly- formed lymphatic vessels in transplanted kidneys by glycol-split heparin. PLoS One.2017 Jun 30; 12(6.)
7. Adepu S, Rosman CW, Dam W, van Dijk MC, Navis G, van Goor H, Bakker SJ, van den Born J. Incipient renal transplant dysfunction associates with tubular syndecan-1 expression and shedding. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol. 2015 May 13.
8. Adepu S, Katta K, Tietge UJ, Kwakernaak AJ, Dam W, van Goor H, Dullaart RP, Navis G, Bakker SJ, van den Born J.Hepatic syndecan-1 changes associate with dyslipidemia after renal transplantation. Am J Transplant. 2014 Oct; 14(10):2328-38. Doi: 10.1111/ajt.12842. Epub 2014 Aug 25.
9. Katta K, Boersema M, Adepu S, Rienstra H, Celie JW, Mencke R, Molema G, van Goor H, Berden JH, Navis G, Hillebrands JL, van den Born J. Renal heparan sulfate proteoglycans modulate fibroblast growth factor 2 signaling in experimental chronic transplant dysfunction. Am J Pathol. 2013 Nov; 183(5):1571-84.
10. Celie JW, Katta KK, Adepu S, Melenhorst WB, Reijmers RM, Slot EM, Beelen RH,Spaargaren M, Ploeg RJ, Navis G, van der Heide JJ, van Dijk MC, van Goor H, vanden Born J. Tubular epithelial syndecan- 1 maintains renal function in murine ischemia/reperfusion and human transplantation. Kidney Int.2012Apr; 81(7):651-61.