Expression of mTLR2 and mTLR4 by monocytes.

<p>Cells in whole blood were stained with antibodies against CD14, CD16, TLR2, and TLR4. Monocytes were gated according to light scatter profile and the expression of CD14/CD16. Representative histogram plots of mTLR2 and mTLR4 expression are shown in figures C and F, respectively. The proportions of mTLR2⁺ (A) and mTLR4⁺ (D) monocytes did not differ between AAV patients and HC. However, 7 AAV patients had an increased proportion of mTLR4⁺ monocytes, compared to HC (dotted line: cut-off mTLR4⁺ cells, calculated from HC). Expression levels per cell are shown in fig B (mTLR2), and E (mTLR4). mTLR2 levels were higher on AAV patient monocytes, compared to HC (<i>p</i> = 0.03), whereas mTLR4 levels did not differ significantly when comparing groups. In line with increased proportions of mTLR4⁺ monocytes, in part of the patients increased levels of mTLR4 were observed (dotted line: cut-off mTLR4 ΔMFI, calculated from HC) Within AAV patients, active patients (n = 6) are depicted with closed circles. Expression of mTLR2 and mTLR4 did not differ significantly between patients with active or quiescent disease.