Why elderly, diabetic are at higher risk of COVID infection

Low levels of microRNA (miRNA) immunity increase the risk of COVID-19 infection in older adults and people with diabetes, according to Nanjing University researchers.

Beijing: Researchers have identified that low microRNA (miRNA) immunity increases the risk of COVID-19 infection in older adults and people with diabetes. MicroRNAs are a key class of gene expression regulators which play an important role in inflammation and immune response. The study led by researchers from Nanjing University in China identified four circulating miRNAs -- miR-7-5p, miR-24-3p, miR-145-5p and miR-223-3p -- which are high in healthy people and much lower in older people and diabetic patients.