Immunity & Ageing (Nov 2011)

Age-related decrease of miRNA-92a levels in human CD8<sup>+ </sup>T-cells correlates with a reduction of naïve T lymphocytes

  • Ohyashiki Michiyo,
  • Ohyashiki Junko H,
  • Hirota Ayako,
  • Kobayashi Chiaki,
  • Ohyashiki Kazuma

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1742-4933-8-11
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 8, no. 1
p. 11

Abstract

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Abstract MicroRNA (miR)-17-92a expression plays a crucial role in lymphocyte ontogeny. We therefore set out to determine miR-92a expression levels in peripheral blood lymphocytes from healthy subjects to ascertain any association between these levels and ageing. We found a positive correlation between the miR-92a expression level and the percentages of RO-CD8+CD27+ (P = 0.0046) and CD3+CD8+CD62L+ (P = 0.0011). This suggests that the majority of miR-92a of CD8+ T cells is derived from naïve cells, and the miR-92a expression level in CD8+ T cells declines progressively with age. These results indicate that the age-related attrition of naïve T cells is linked to a reduction of miR-92a in human T -lymphocytes. Therefore, we should careful attention when evaluating human miRNA levels in T lymphocytes to use normal control values.

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