Short report
Age-related decrease of miRNA-92a levels in human CD8+ T-cells correlates with a reduction of naïve T lymphocytes
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* Corresponding author: Kazuma Ohyashiki ohyashik@rr.iij4u.or.jp
1 Department of Hematology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
2 Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
Immunity & Ageing 2011, 8:11 doi:10.1186/1742-4933-8-11
Published: 15 November 2011Abstract
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.