In a first exploratory step, we have determined the clinical and pathophysiological relevance of 14 soluble markers of B cell activation (RF, β2-microglobulin, IgG, IgA, IgM, BAFF, APRIL, sBCMA, sTACI, sCD21, sCD23, sCD25, sCD27, CXCL13) in SSc. The gene discussed is TNFSF13B; the disease is systemic sclerosis.