Age‐dependent messenger RNA expression of toll‐like receptor 4 and intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells

Background Inflammation plays an important role in the ageing process in which monocytes/macrophages are important players. Intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1), tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) are well‐known inflammatory markers. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between age and the expression and correlation of ICAM‐1, TNF‐α and TLR4 mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Methods A total of 239 participants were recruited in a medical centre in Taiwan. The mRNA isolated from the PBMCs was used to determine the levels of ICAM‐1, TNF‐α and TLR4 mRNAs with real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The propensity‐matched analysis was also applied for subgroup analysis. Results When compared 189 older adults (≧65 years) to 50 younger adults (