In the oxidative environment of SLE and APS [69,70], phospatidylcholine and phosphatidylserine present in the erythrocyte membrane may oxidise contributing to erythrocyte senescence [71,72]: natural IgM autoantibodies may perform housekeeping functions against these phospholipid neo-epitopes [73] but the intra-splenic clearance of senescent erythrocytes is normally mediated by antibody-independent mechanisms, such as the recognition of phosphatidylserine exposed on the outer leaflet of their plasmamembrane by macrophage scavenger receptors [74]. This evidence concerns the gene CD40LG and systemic lupus erythematosus.