MicroRNA expression profile in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of asthmatic patients and healthy individuals: The effect of age and ex vivo rhinovirus exposure

Ageing of the immune system (or 'immunosenescence') is associated with higher mortality due to infectious diseases and reduced response to vaccines. Dysregulation of the cellular response may be associated with an increased incidence of neoplasms, while an elevated level of proinflammatory cytokines, produced mostly by innate cells, contributes to age-related inflammatory diseases including osteoporosis, type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis or Alzheimer's disease [1].