We identified a negative correlation between plasma CXCL16 levels and circulating miR-451 levels (r = − 0.553, p = 0.014) (Fig. 4B) and a positive correlation with the ESR (r = 0.570, p = 0.017) and CRP levels (r = 0.599, p = 0.007), but not with the VAS score (r = 0.078; p = 0.750) or TJC (r = − 0.288; p = 0.234) in RA-risk individuals with arthralgia. The gene discussed is CRP; the disease is rheumatoid arthritis.