C1q, a subcomponent of the classical complement pathway, is composed of nine subunits that mediate classical complement activation and thereby play an important role in the immune response. Six of these subunits are disulfide-linked dimers of chains A and B, while three of these subunits, designated C1q-A through C1q-C, are disulfide-linked dimers of chain C. The presence of receptors for C1q on effector cells modulates its activity, which may be antibody-dependent or independent. Macrophages are the primary source of C1q, while anti-inflammatory drugs as well as cytokines differentially regulate expression of the mRNA as well as the protein. However, its ability to modulate the interaction of platelets with collagen and immune complexes suggests C1q influences homeostasis as well as other immune activities, and perhaps thrombotic complications resulting from immune injury. Defects in C1q-A, C1q-B and C1q-C cause inactivation of the classical pathway, leading to a rare genetic disorder characterized by lupus-like symptoms.