First, we compared monocytes from SLE patients and matched healthy donors, and found monocytes from SLE patients exhibited more CD14+CD86+ cells, impaired phagocytic activity, and elevated interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α (the classical activated phenotype), which could be blocked by azithromycin. This evidence concerns the gene CD14 and systemic lupus erythematosus.