BackgroudIn certain cancers, circRNA fibronectin type III domain containing 3B (circFNDC3B) may serve as a specific target for the treatment. However, the role and underlying regulatory mechanisms of circFNDC3B in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) remain unknown.MaterialsCircFNDC3B expression in AAA and normal tissues were assessed by qRT-PCR. The biological functions of circFNDC3B were evaluated by MTT, flow cytometry and Caspase-3 activity assays. Furthermore, the molecular mechanism of circFNDC3B was demonstrated by RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), dual-luciferase reporter assay, western blotting, qRT-PCR and rescue experiments. ResultsWe found that the expression of circFNDC3B was significantly upregulated in AAA clinical specimens. Functionally, overexpression of circFNDC3B inhibited vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation and induced apoptosis in vitro, yet, knockdown of circFNDC3B had the opposite effects. Mechanistically, circFNDC3B upregulated the expression of programmed cell death 10 (PDCD10) by acting as a molecular sponge for miR-1270. Notably, forced expression of PDCD10 countervailed the impact of circFNDC3B knockdown on AAA biological processes.ConclusionsOur data indicated that circFNDC3B promoted the progression of AAA by targeting the miR-1270/PDCD10 pathway, and may be a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of AAA.