Young immune systems produce infection fighting “microRNA” but this declines with age. This may partially explain why the young survive COVID-19 better.
MicroRNAs play a big role in our body in controlling gene expression, and also are a front line when viruses invade, latching onto and cutting the RNA, the genetic material of the virus, says Dr. Sadanand Fulzele, aging researcher in the Department of Medicine and Center for Healthy Aging at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University.
But with age and some chronic medical conditions, the attacking microRNA numbers dwindle, reducing our ability to respond to viruses, says Dr. Carlos M. Isales, co-director of the MCG Center for Healthy Aging Snip
"The most important and striking feature of COVID-19 is the increased case fatality rate in aged individuals," the investigators write, with the CDC reporting that nearly half of patients requiring hospitalization are age 65 and older, and these more senior individuals account for about 80% of the deaths. Fulzele, Isales and their colleagues wanted to know more about why.
"My perspective is there is a key set of microRNAs that are important in triggering this abnormal response, in making older patients more susceptible," says senior author Isales. "We are looking at microRNAs in general dropping, but there is a specific subset that is key. The question is whether we can we target those as a therapy."
Cocktails of multiple key microRNA, potentially given through the nose, might help restore sufficient levels of the key virus fighters, the investigators say
