Transcriptomic profiles of age-related genes in female trachea and bronchus

The tracheal and bronchial brushings were acquired from healthy volunteers in a case-control and cohort study approved by the Ethics Committee of the West China Hospital, Sichuan University. The inclusion criteria for enrolled participants were: 1) None currently existing respiratory symptoms, 2) A virtual normal chest imaging, 3) None smoking history, and 4) None self-reported occupational exposure to dust. We confined the exclusion criteria to subjects with a history of chronic respiratory diseases or a regular, long time medication intake. Finally, fourteen female subjects were enrolled, with an age range from 20 to 60 years old.