After adult irradiation and reconstitution with autologous bone marrow, BALB/c and C.B20 mice no longer utilize the T15 Id in response to phosphorylcholine. T15 Id expression can be restored by transfers of peritoneal B cells or by FACS-purified CD5+ IgM+ lymphocytes (but not by T lymphocytes) from syngeneic donors. Using bone marrow and peritoneal cell donors that are congeneic for heavy and light chain allotypes, the exclusive origin of the T15 Id in peritoneal B cells was ascertained. These conclusions have been essentially confirmed by immunization with either anti-T15 Id or anti-VHT15 antibodies conjugated to lipopolysaccharide. Thus, the production of VHT15-positive antibodies continues at control levels in bone marrow-reconstituted animals while no T15 Id production can be stimulated even in this protocol of direct B cell stimulation. These results constitute the first formal demonstration of the exclusive production of and Id by CD5+ B-cells.

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These data reinforce the role of oxidative stress and especially lipid peroxidation products in the progression of SLE disease.

The incidence of myositis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is low among different series. Here we attempt to describe the main features of SLE/myositis overlap syndrome. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 174 patients with SLE seen over 15-year period. All the patients fulfilled the revised American Rheumatology Association criteria for SLE. Patients who met The Bohan and Peter criteria for definite myositis were included in this study. Among those patients, six patients had an associated myositis (3.4% overall). They were 6 women with a mean age of 29 years (20–41 years). At the initial evaluation, 3 patients (50%) were complained from myalgia, and all patients had symmetrical muscle weakness (proximal muscle weakness in 6 cases with distal muscle weakness in 2 cases). The muscle disease was severe in 1 case. Involvements of muscles of the pharynx and upper esophagus were noted in 4 patients (66.6%). The creatine kinase (CK) levels were elevated in 4 cases with a mean rate of 2153.5 UI/L. The electromyogram (EMG) revealed signs of myositis in 5 cases. Muscle biopsy, performed in 5 patients, revealed an inflammatory myopathy changes in 4 cases. Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) were positive in all cases. All our patients were treated with high doses of corticosteroids with favorable outcome. Relapse of SLE disease had occurred in 2 patients. The association SLE-myositis is rare with heterogeneous presentation. Through our observations and literature data we will specify the characteristics of this association.