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Updated: Aug 6, 2026
09:10
Measuring Single-Cell Aging with an Imaging-based Biomarker of Chromatin and Epigenetic Aging
Published on: January 30, 2026
Accelerated Epigenetic and Inflammatory Aging and Intrinsic Capacity
Laure Rouch1,2,3, Philipe De Souto Barreto1,2, Yves Rolland1,2,4
1IHU HealthAge, Toulouse, France.
JAMA Network Open
|July 20, 2026
Summary
Accelerated epigenetic aging is linked to declining intrinsic capacity (IC) in adults, especially with advancing age. Biomarkers of aging may help identify individuals needing interventions for healthy longevity.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Molecular Biology
- Preventive Medicine
Background:
- Extending health span necessitates a shift towards preventive, function-oriented medicine.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) defined intrinsic capacity (IC) as a composite of physical and mental capacities.
- Molecular drivers of age-related IC decline are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate associations between accelerated epigenetic and inflammatory aging with global IC.
- To examine domain-specific IC, sex differences, and interactions between epigenetic and inflammatory aging.
Main Methods:
- A population-based cohort study of adults aged 20+ from the INSPIRE Lifespan Translational Cohort.
- Measured accelerated epigenetic aging using multiple epigenetic clocks (Horvath, Hannum, PhenoAge, GrimAge).
- Assessed accelerated inflammatory aging using the iAge clock and global IC across five domains annually over 3 years.
Main Results:
- Accelerated epigenetic aging correlated with lower global IC, with a more pronounced effect at older ages.
- Accelerated inflammatory aging showed weaker associations with global IC.
- The combination of both aging processes led to greater functional decline, particularly in mobility.
- Detrimental effects of epigenetic aging on IC were more pronounced in males.
Conclusions:
- Accelerated epigenetic aging is associated with reduced intrinsic capacity, particularly in older adults.
- Epigenetic and inflammatory aging biomarkers show potential for identifying individuals at risk for functional decline.
- Findings support precision medicine approaches for targeted healthy longevity interventions.
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