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. This evidence concerns the gene BANK1 and rheumatoid arthritis.