title: C1q: a multifunctional ligand for a new immunoadsorption treatment.
abstract: C1q is a highly conserved protein with multiple functions involved in innate and adaptive immunity. It plays an important role in the activation of the classical pathway of the complement system to mediate the scavenging of infectious agents, apoptotic products, and immune complexes by the mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS). Exhibiting this function, C1q is able to bind various molecules (complexed IgG, IgM, fibrinogen, fibronectin, lipopolysaccharides, DNA, C-reactive protein [CRP], and viral proteins). Moreover, the collagen-like region of C1q is a target of autoantibodies. Immune complexes and anti-C1q autoantibodies are known to be involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. Therefore, C1q is a promising candidate to extract waste material from the circulation. Following the development of the C1q immunoadsorbent, 8 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were treated in a first clinical trial. These preliminary results indicate that C1q immunoadsorption is a safe, compatible, and effective treatment for these patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine (Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology), University Hospital Charité, Humboldt-University, Berlin, Germany. falk.hiepe@charite.de
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hiepe
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pfüller
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wolbart
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bruns
authors.forename: H P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Leinenbach
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hepper
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Schössler
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Otto
mesh_terms: D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000276:immunology; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000276:immunology; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D003167:Complement Activation; D015922:Complement C1q / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007163:Immunosorbent Techniques
chemical_list: D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D001323:Autoantibodies; D015922:Complement C1q