Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Single-cell Analysis of Immunophenotype and Cytokine Production in Peripheral Whole Blood via Mass Cytometry
Published on: June 26, 2018
C1qRP (CD93) expression on peripheral blood monocytes in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Frank Moosig1, Erika Fähndrich, Anja Knorr-Spahr
1Second Medical Department, University Hospital of Schleswig Holstein, Campus Kiel, Chemnitzstr. 33, 24116 Kiel, Germany. F.Moosig@med2.uni-kiel.de
Insights
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients show no difference in monocyte C1qRp (CD93) expression compared to healthy controls. Glucocorticoid dosage, not SLE itself, influenced C1qRp levels, while LPS stimulation upregulated expression in all subjects.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Rheumatology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by immune dysregulation.
- Monocyte C1qRp (CD93) is a cell surface receptor implicated in immune responses.
- Understanding C1qRp expression in SLE is crucial for elucidating disease mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare C1qRp (CD93) expression on monocytes in SLE patients versus healthy controls (HC).
- To investigate the impact of glucocorticoids and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on C1qRp expression in SLE and HC.
- To determine if C1qRp expression is altered in SLE patients.
Main Methods:
- Flow cytometry was used to analyze C1qRp expression on monocytes.
- Thirty-six SLE patients and 20 HC were recruited.
- In vitro experiments involved culturing monocytes and stimulating them with dexamethasone, interferon-gamma, and LPS.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in C1qRp expression was observed between SLE patients and HC.
- SLE patients on lower-dose or no steroids exhibited higher C1qRp expression than those on higher doses.
- In vitro dexamethasone did not alter C1qRp expression, whereas LPS significantly upregulated it in both groups.
Conclusions:
- C1qRp expression and its regulation appear unaltered in SLE patients.
- Glucocorticoid therapy may influence C1qRp expression levels.
- Further research is needed to explore the relationship between C1qRp, disease activity, and medication in SLE.
Abstract:
Aim of the study was to compare the expression of monocytes C1qRp (CD93) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with that of healthy controls and to determine the influence of glucocorticoids and LPS on C1qRp expression. Thirty-six SLE patients and 20 healthy controls were analyzed by flow cytometry. Additionally, monocytes from five patients and five controls were cultured and stimulated with dexamethasone, interferon-gamma and LPS, respectively, before the measurement of C1qRp expression. There was no difference in C1qRp expression between SLE and HC. SLE patients with no or only low dose steroids had a significantly higher C1qRp expression than those with higher doses. However, in vitro dexamethasone did not stimulate or down-regulate C1qRp expression. Upon LPS stimulation, C1qRp was significantly up regulated on monocytes both from patients and from controls. In conclusion, C1qRp expression and regulation was not altered in SLE patients. Possible relations with disease activity and medication need further investigations.
