title: Cell-bound complement activation products (CB-CAPs) as a source of lupus biomarkers.
abstract: Measurement of serum C3 and C4 has been used for several decades to monitor disease activity in patients with SLE. Despite the limited utility and recognized weaknesses of these assays, they have remained the gold standard during an era of unprecedented discovery in the complement field. The current urgent need for lupus biomarkers warrants efforts to mine the complement system for assays superior to serum C3 and C4. Recent studies of soluble and cell-bound complement activation products hold promise for achieving this goal.
authors.affiliation: Lupus Center of Excellence, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, USA.
authors.forename: Sarah J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Calano
authors.forename: Pei-An B
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Shih
authors.forename: Chau-Ching
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Amy H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Kao
authors.forename: Jeannine S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Navratil
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Manzi
authors.forename: Joseph M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Ahearn
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism*; D003167:Complement Activation; D003176:Complement C3 / Q000276:immunology*; D003181:Complement C4 / Q000276:immunology*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D012156:Reticulocytes / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D003176:Complement C3; D003181:Complement C4