Identification of key microRNAs in exosomes derived from patients with the severe acute pancreatitis

•Exosomes derived from SAP serum were used for sequencing to select key miRNAs.•Key miRNAs were verified by RT-qPCR in the serum exosomes of four groups of patients.•The RT-qPCR trend in SAP for four key miRNAs was the same as that with sequencing.•Seven miRNAs were positively correlated with persistent MODS in AP.