As none of the HC were under immunosuppressants, we also wondered immunosuppressive therapy in SSc patients could contribute explain our result; however we did not observe any difference in the serum BAFF levels of HC when compared to SSc patients with (534 [446;624] vs. 630 [434;887] pg/mL respectively, p=0.80) or without (534 [446;624] vs. 586 [487;859] pg/mL respectively, p=0.53) immunosuppressants. This evidence concerns the gene TNFSF13B and systemic sclerosis.