It has been found that the presence of anti-phosphatidylcholine, malondialdehyde, and oxidized cardiolipin IgM in SLE patients is protective against cardiovascular disease, especially atherogenesis, via the possible mechanisms of increased phagocytosis of apoptotic cells and reduced oxidative stress (7, 79, 80). This evidence concerns the gene CD40LG and systemic lupus erythematosus.