Sialic acid-binding Ig-like lectin 1 expression in inflammatory and resident monocytes is a potential biomarker for monitoring disease activity and success of therapy in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objective: Type I interferon (IFN) plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and is therefore considered a potential therapeutic target. This study was undertaken to establish a feasible biomarker for IFN effects with respect to disease activity and effectiveness of IFN-suppressive therapy in SLE patients.

Methods: Transcriptomes of purified monocytes from 9 SLE patients and 7 healthy controls were analyzed by Affymetrix GeneChip technology.