Although the reason for the decrease observed in the present study in CD44+ B cells and granulocytes in patients with RA compared to CS is not known, our findings are possibly related to the fact that these determinations were made in peripheral blood cells, which could not be a reflection of the in situ role of CD44 in RA, where it contributes significantly to cell adhesion and migration as well as in different stages of their activation. This evidence concerns the gene CD44 and rheumatoid arthritis.