Hence, increased CD40 expression levels on B cell subsets involved in antibody production, and in particular the effect on both expression levels and the percentage of CD40-positive plasmablasts that we report for the first time, are consistent with increased susceptibility to autoimmune diseases involving a strong humoral response (rheumatoid arthritis; systemic lupus erythematosus; autoimmune thyroid disease and Kawasaki disease). This evidence concerns the gene CD40 and rheumatoid arthritis.