To reveal whether ex vivo stimulation of B cells results in β60-74Cit peptide-specific antibody secretion, purified B cells from selected RA patients with high serum antibody level and from healthy controls were cultured for 5 days in the presence of the TLR9 agonist, CpG ODN, and BAFF. Here, TLR9 is linked to rheumatoid arthritis.