However, ineffectual clearance of apoptotic cells cannot entirely explain the increased propensity of IgM-deficient mice to develop autoimmunity and more severe atherosclerosis when compared to C1q ko mice as both mice have similar number of apoptotic cells in the atherosclerotic plaques and the C1q ko mice has in addition, circulating apoptotic cells that should have worsened atherosclerosis (102, 141, 155). Here, CD40LG is linked to atherosclerosis.