CD40LG and rheumatoid arthritis: •Serum antibodies (IgM, IgG) to MAA-modified LDL positively correlated with disease activity in treatment naïve RA (r = 0.30-0.32; p = 0.021-0.030)•Higher baseline disease activity associated with an increase anti-MAA-LDL (IgM) antibody over 1 year (r = 0.36, p = 0.009)