Results showed CD40-induced NF-κB signaling was constitutively activated in B cells from active lupus patients, including decreased CD40 in raft portion, increased phosphorylation and degradation of IκBα, phosphorylation of P65, as well as increased nuclear translocation of P65, P50, c-Rel, which could be blocked by anti-CD154. This evidence concerns the gene CD40 and systemic lupus erythematosus.