Peripheral blood B-lymphocyte markers and functions were observed in 21 patients with IgA nephropathy (IgA NP), 18 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and 16 controls. IgA NP B-lymphocytes similarly to that of SLE B-lymphocytes expressed significantly higher positivity with Leu 1 (CD 5) monoclonal antibody than controls. CD 5 positive B-lymphocytes are thought to be a distinct subset of the B-cells (autoregulatory B-lymphocytes) inducible in IgA NP by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation in parallel to their expression of surface IgM heavy chain positivity. The activated state of IgA NP B-lymphocytes have been proved by their higher OKIa (HLA-DR) positivities but lower IOB1a (CD 21, C3b-receptor) and decreased IgG-Fc-receptor (ox- rosette) expression. IgA NP B-lymphocytes showed a higher IgA but also IgG and IgM polyclonal immunoglobulin production than control B-lymphocytes in co-cultures with T-lymphocytes. Not only regulatory T-lymphocyte subsets but also serum derived from IgA NP patients stimulated the immunoglobulin production of IgA NP B-lymphocytes.