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Cell-free DNA methylation patterns in aging and their association with inflamm-aging
Si-Jia Li1,2, Xin Gao1,2, Zi-Hui Wang1,2
1The Key Laboratory of Geriatrics, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, National Health Commission, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 100730, PR China.
Epigenomics
|June 13, 2024
Summary
Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) methylation in plasma shows promise as a noninvasive aging biomarker. This study identified age-related methylation patterns and a predictive model for biological age, linking epigenetic shifts to inflammation.
Area of Science:
- Epigenetics
- Biomarker Discovery
- Gerontology
Background:
- Liquid biopsies analyzing cell-free DNA (cfDNA) methylation offer noninvasive disease diagnostics.
- The potential of cfDNA methylation as an aging biomarker remains underexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate cfDNA methylation patterns in aging.
- To identify potential cfDNA-based biomarkers for biological age.
Main Methods:
- Enzymatic methyl-seq (EM-seq) was used to analyze cfDNA methylation in plasma from 35 healthy individuals.
- A predictive model for biological age was developed using CpG site methylation data.
Main Results:
- The study identified aging signatures in cfDNA, including elevated levels and altered fragment sizes.
- Approximately 2000 age-related differentially methylated CpG sites were discovered.
- A biological age predictive model based on 48 CpG sites strongly correlated with chronological age.
- Epigenetic shifts linked to inflammation were revealed through profiling and proteomics.
Conclusions:
- cfDNA methylation serves as a potential aging biomarker.
- Age-related epigenetic changes may exacerbate immunoinflammatory responses in older individuals.
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