Introduction: Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common genetic renal disorder. It leads to multiple extra-renal complications, with intracranial aneurysms (IA) among the most serious. Biological markers could become tools in identifying patients at risk of an IA. MicroRNAs 16 (miR-16) and 25 (miR-25) have been proposed as being markers of IAs in the general population. In the current study, we attempted to discover if they may also be considered markers of IAs in ADPKD.
Material and methods: 64 renal transplant recipients with ADPKD were included. After magnetic resonance angiography of the brain, they were divided into a case group (IA+, n = 13) and a control group (IA-, n = 51). Expression of miRNAs in plasma was analysed by qRT-PCR.
Results: The expression of miR-16 was higher in the control (IA-) group. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of miR-25 expression.
Conclusions and clinical implications: MicroRNA-16 is a potential marker of IAs in renal transplant recipients with ADPKD. It may become a tool to identify patients who should undergo screening for an IA.
Keywords: autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease; biomarkers; intracranial aneurysm; kidney transplantation; micro RNA.