Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 0 0 2026 07 05 1 20 Alireza Raghibi Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Amirhossein Mohajeri Khorasani Medical Genetics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran AND Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran AND Student Research Committee, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran Elia Damavandi Department of Photodynamic, Medical Laser Research Center, Yara Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran Abdolrahman Rostamian Rheumatology Research Center, Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Mozhgan Abjoushak Mahmoudabad Department of Biology, Ma. C., Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran Hamid Choobineh Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Allied Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Mohsen Ghadami Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran AND Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran AND Cardiac Primary Prevention Research Center, Tehran Heart Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Majid Kabuli Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2025 10 08 2026 04 05 Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease marked by chronic inflammation and progressive joint damage. Early diagnosis is crucial, but current methods lack sensitivity. Circulating microRNAs (miRs), stable in body fluids, have emerged as promising biomarkers. This study aims to evaluate the plasma expression levels of miR-22-3p, miR-126-3p, and miR-760 in patients with RA compared to healthy controls, and to assess their potential as diagnostic biomarkers. Plasma samples from 50 RA patients and 50 healthy individuals were analyzed using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Correlation of miR expression with disease activity was evaluated, and their diagnostic value was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Bioinformatics analysis was conducted to explore the various aspects and functions of the identified miRs.  The plasma levels of miR-22-3p and miR-126-3p were significantly elevated in RA patients compared to healthy controls. Although miR-760 exhibited an upward trend, the increase did not reach statistical significance. miR-126-3p was positively associated with disease activity. ROC analysis showed area under the curve (AUC) of 0.69 for miR-22-3p, 0.72 for miR-126-3p, and 0.61 for miR-760, with the combined panel improving diagnostic accuracy to an AUC of 0.74. Furthermore, functional enrichment analysis suggested that these miRs are predominantly involved in key biological processes, including regulation of gene expression, cell migration, and epigenetic modifications. A panel consisting of miR-22-3p, miR-126-3p, and miR-760 may serve as a potential diagnostic biomarker for RA. Further validation in larger and more diverse populations is warranted.   Keywords:;; ; ; ;  https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/4616 https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/download/4616/2362