Circulating microRNAs signature correlates with positive [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm

Identifying specific biomarkers able to predict rupture is the most challenging facet for management of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm. We previously demonstrated that uptake of [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose in the aneurysmal wall detected by positron emission tomography-computed tomography was associated with clinical signs presaging rupture and with cellular and molecular alterations indicating active wall remodeling. In this work, we identified six circulating microRNAs significantly correlated with a positive [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose uptake, and three of them were similarly modulated in the metabolically active aneurysmal wall and potentially involved in abdominal aortic aneurysm instability. These microRNAs could represent useful biomarkers to discriminate patients at high risk of rupture and best help with therapeutic decision.