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Imaging-based chromatin and epigenetic age, ImAge, quantitates aging and rejuvenation
Martin Alvarez-Kuglen1, Delany Rodriguez1, Haodong Qin2
1Sanford Burnham Prebys, La Jolla CA 92037, USA.
Research Square
|November 21, 2023
Summary
We developed ImAge, a novel imaging biomarker for biological age. This approach captures aging at the single-cell level, offering a more accurate prediction of disease risk and lifespan than chronological age.
Area of Science:
- Biomarkers and aging research
- Epigenetics and chromatin organization
- Single-cell analysis
Background:
- Chronological age is a poor predictor of disease risk and lifespan.
- Accurate biomarkers of biological age are crucial for personalized healthcare.
- Existing biomarkers lack scalability and cost-effectiveness.
Approach:
- Developed image-based chromatin and epigenetic age (ImAge) for biological age assessment.
- ImAge analyzes spatial organization of chromatin and epigenetic marks in single nuclei.
- This method bypasses regression on chronological age.
Key Points:
- ImAge accurately reflected accelerated aging in mice treated with chemotherapy.
- ImAge showed decelerated aging in mice undergoing caloric restriction.
- ImAge correlated inversely with locomotor activity in mice, validating its role as an aging biomarker.
- ImAge revealed heterogeneity in in vivo reprogramming following OSKM cassette expression.
Conclusions:
- ImAge is a novel, first-in-class imaging-based biomarker of aging.
- This biomarker offers single-cell resolution for precise biological age assessment.
- ImAge has potential for scalable and cost-effective healthcare applications.
