In recent years, it has become apparent that sub-micron scale remnants of cells, called microparticles (MPs), are present in human circulation. MPs contain DNA, RNA, protein and lipids (such as cholesterol). Increased numbers of MPs are observed in autoimmune conditions such as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). This work aims to address the deficiency in the literature concerning MP cholesterol (MPC) by establishing reference values for MPC in a representative healthy population group, and by investigating the potential of MP cholesterol as a biomarker in autoimmunity
