Functional variant and polymorphism of BANK1 are associated with susceptibility to autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (44), rheumatoid arthritis (45), diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (46), and primary Sjogren's syndrome (47), suggesting an important role of BANK1 in autoimmune diseases. The gene discussed is BANK1; the disease is systemic lupus erythematosus.