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Telomere Length and Telomerase Activity; A Yin and Yang of Cell Senescence
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Evaluating minimally invasive sample collection methods for telomere length measurement.

Elisabeth A Goldman1, Geeta N Eick1, Devan Compton1

  • 1Department of Anthropology, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon 97403.

American Journal of Human Biology : the Official Journal of the Human Biology Council
|September 27, 2017
PubMed
Summary

Telomere length (TL) measurement varies significantly by sample type. Buffy coat and Oragene saliva provided comparable results, while Oasis saliva and dried blood spots were less reliable for accurate TL assessment.

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Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Genetics
  • Aging Research

Background:

  • Telomere length (TL) is a key biomarker for aging and age-related health decline.
  • Venous blood is the standard for TL measurement, but alternative sample types like saliva and dried blood spots (DBS) are often more practical.
  • Previous studies have not conclusively determined if these alternative samples yield TL measurements comparable to venous blood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate whether different biological sample types from the same individual produce comparable telomere length (TL) measurements.
  • To compare TL measurements obtained from buffy coat, saliva, and DBS samples using a standardized assay.

Main Methods:

  • DNA was extracted from matched buffy coat, Oragene saliva, Oasis saliva, and DBS samples from 40 women (aged 18-77).
  • Telomere length (TL) was measured using the monochrome multiplex quantitative PCR (MMQPCR) assay.
  • Quality control measures were implemented, and TL measurements were compared across sample types.

Main Results:

  • Significant differences in TL were observed between buffy coat, Oragene saliva, and Oasis saliva samples.
  • TL from buffy coat and Oragene saliva showed moderate correlation (ρ = 0.48, P = .002) and were similar in magnitude.
  • Oasis saliva TL was not correlated with buffy coat or Oragene saliva TL and was consistently shorter.
  • Dried blood spot (DBS) samples yielded insufficient DNA for TL measurement with the MMQPCR assay.

Conclusions:

  • The choice of sample type significantly impacts telomere length (TL) measurements obtained via the MMQPCR assay.
  • Oragene saliva offers a viable alternative to buffy coat for TL assessment, showing moderate correlation and similar values.
  • Oasis saliva and DBS are not recommended for accurate TL measurement using this method due to significant discrepancies and inadequate DNA yield, respectively.