Are bacterial endotoxins involved in autoimmunity by CD5+ (Ly-1+) B cells?

Naturally occurring (autoimmune) antibodies reactive with phospholipids are found in normal rabbit and human sera. In this short article, Nico van Rooijen postulates that bacterial endotoxins trigger the production of these autoimmune antiphospholipid antibodies by CD5+ (Ly-1+) B cells. According to this postulate, the endotoxins, or their lipid-A-containing fractions, become inserted in cell membranes and induce the production of autoimmune IgM antibodies against surface antigens, such as phospholipids, of such cells.