Article
Oncology
Yun-Hsiang Lo, Wan-Yu Lin
Summary: This study comprehensively investigates the associations between cardiovascular health and four epigenetic clocks. The findings suggest that ideal cardiovascular health is associated with lower levels of biological aging, reducing the risk of aging-related disorders.
CLINICAL EPIGENETICS
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Xue-Yong Chang, Wan-Yu Lin
Summary: This study comprehensively investigates the role of five measures of epigenetic age acceleration (EAA) in mediating the associations of smoking with health outcomes in an Asian population. The results show that the second-generation epigenetic clocks (GrimEAA, DunedinPACE, and PhenoEAA) significantly mediate smoking associations with diabetes-related outcomes. In contrast, the first-generation epigenetic clocks (HannumEAA and IEAA) do not significantly mediate any associations of smoking variables with the four health outcomes. Cigarette smoking can directly and indirectly deteriorate human health through DNA methylation changes in aging-related CpG sites.
CLINICAL EPIGENETICS
(2023)
Review
Genetics & Heredity
Denitsa Vasileva, Celia M. T. Greenwood, Denise Daley
Summary: This review discusses the significance of DNA methylation in studying the interactions between genetic and environmental factors, with a particular focus on childhood asthma. By exploring epigenetic clocks, the potential of DNAm in predicting epigenetic age and biological capacity, as well as its application in the etiology of asthma and allergic diseases, is examined.
Article
Cell Biology
Natalia A. Prado, Janine L. Brown, Joseph A. Zoller, Amin Haghani, Mingjia Yao, Lora R. Bagryanova, Michael G. Campana, Jesus E. Maldonado, Ken Raj, Dennis Schmitt, Todd R. Robeck, Steve Horvath
Summary: Age-associated DNA-methylation profiles have been used to develop highly accurate biomarkers of age (epigenetic clocks) for African and Asian elephants. These clocks were developed using novel DNA methylation profiles of known age samples, and can be used for conservation efforts where accurate estimates of age are needed. Epigenome-wide association studies identified age-related CpGs and their proximal genes, revealing their importance in cellular differentiation, organismal development, metabolism, and circadian rhythms.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Xiaoying Zhou, Xiaorui Han, Shu-Chen Lyu, Bryan Bunning, Laurie Kost, Iris Chang, Shu Cao, Vanitha Sampath, Kari C. Nadeau
Summary: This study revealed DNA methylation signatures associated with peanut allergy, which may be linked to genetic factors and have superior diagnostic potential for distinguishing between peanut allergy and nonallergy. Additionally, immune cells from peanut-allergic participants produced more cytokines following peanut protein stimulation, indicating a stronger response to allergen exposure.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zulfiya G. Guvatova, Anastasiya A. Kobelyatskaya, Elena A. Pudova, Irina V. Tarasova, Anna V. Kudryavtseva, Olga N. Tkacheva, Irina D. Strazhesko, Alexey A. Moskalev
Summary: This study estimated the epigenetic age of long-lived individuals and found that their epigenetic age was significantly lower than their chronological age, indicating a slowing of aging. However, there were no significant differences in epigenetic age between healthy long-lived individuals and those with frailty, and no differences in epigenetic age were observed based on sex. The study emphasizes the need for further research on the epigenetic status of centenarians.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biology
Khyobeni Mozhui, Ake T. Lu, Caesar Z. Li, Amin Haghani, Jose Vladimir Sandoval-Sierra, Yibo Wu, Robert W. Williams, Steve Horvath
Summary: Changes in DNA methylation are related to aging. In this study, highly conserved CpGs in 339 mostly female mice from the BXD family were profiled to examine the relationship between epigenetic changes and longevity. The study found that a high-fat diet increases age-related changes in methylation, and that entropy increases with age. The research also identified genetic loci associated with epigenetic age acceleration and revealed a connection between metabolic state and epigenetic aging.
Article
Cell Biology
Noemie Gensous, Claudia Sala, Chiara Pirazzini, Francesco Ravaioli, Maddalena Milazzo, Katarzyna Malgorzata Kwiatkowska, Elena Marasco, Sara De Fanti, Cristina Giuliani, Camilla Pellegrini, Aurelia Santoro, Miriam Capri, Stefano Salvioli, Daniela Monti, Gastone Castellani, Claudio Franceschi, Maria Giulia Bacalini, Paolo Garagnani
Summary: In this study, a targeted epigenetic clock was developed to measure biological age based on DNA methylation. The results showed that the targeted epigenetic clock can serve as a new marker for biological age and should be further evaluated in large cohorts.
Article
Oncology
Mary E. Sehl, Jill E. Henry, Anna M. Storniolo, Steve Horvath, Patricia A. Ganz
Summary: The study found associations between earlier age at menarche and higher BMI with elevated DNA methylation-based age estimates in healthy breast tissues, indicating that cumulative estrogen exposure drives breast epigenetic aging. This suggests that epigenetic clock measures may help advance understanding of the relationship between accelerated breast tissue aging and increased breast cancer incidence in younger women.
CANCER EPIDEMIOLOGY BIOMARKERS & PREVENTION
(2021)
Article
Biology
Isabel R. Sullivan, Danielle M. Adams, Lucas J. S. Greville, Paul A. Faure, Gerald S. Wilkinson
Summary: Comparative analyses of bats show that hibernation is associated with increased longevity. This study uses DNA methylation as an epigenetic biomarker of aging to investigate the effect of hibernation on the big brown bat. The results indicate that hibernation influences epigenetic age, and specific genomic sites show changes in DNA methylation during hibernation independent of age. These findings suggest that hibernation may have an impact on the aging and longevity of bats.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Antoine Daunay, Lise M. Hardy, Yosra Bouyacoub, Mourad Sahbatou, Mathilde Touvier, Helene Blanche, Jean-Francois Deleuze, Alexandre How-Kit
Summary: Aging is a progressive biological process that affects individuals in different ways. Epigenetic alterations, specifically the epigenetic drift and clock at the DNA methylation level, are one of the hallmarks of aging. This study examined the DNA methylation-based age (DNAmage) in French centenarians and semi-supercentenarians as well as nonagenarians' and centenarians' offspring. The findings showed that exceptionally long-lived individuals have a younger DNAmage compared to their chronological age, indicating a potential slowing of epigenetic and biological aging. Additionally, it was found that epigenetic clocks based on a small number of CpGs are sufficient to detect alterations in the overall epigenetic clock.
Article
Oncology
Chris P. Verschoor, David T. S. Lin, Michael S. Kobor, Oxana Mian, Jinhui Ma, Guillaume Pare, Gustavo Ybazeta
Summary: The study found that epigenetic clocks trained on phenotypic markers of health or mortality outperformed age-trained clocks in their association with frailty. GrimAge showed the strongest association with frailty. Some epigenetic clocks were significantly associated with short-term changes in frailty, supporting their utility in initiatives and interventions to promote healthy aging.
CLINICAL EPIGENETICS
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Shohei Komaki, Hideki Ohmomo, Tsuyoshi Hachiya, Yoichi Sutoh, Kanako Ono, Ryohei Furukawa, So Umekage, Yayoi Otsuka-Yamasaki, Shiori Minabe, Akira Takashima, Kozo Tanno, Makoto Sasaki, Atsushi Shimizu
Summary: This study analyzed the fluctuations of epigenetic age in samples from two Japanese men and found that there were considerable fluctuations in epigenetic age over a 3-month period, and these fluctuations were not suppressed by correcting for cell-type composition.
CLINICAL EPIGENETICS
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Ran Duan, Qiaoyu Fu, Yu Sun, Qingfeng Li
Summary: This review provides a comprehensive overview of the epigenetic clock as a biomarker of aging and its application in promoting healthy aging. Different types of epigenetic clocks continue to emerge and their correlation with morbidity, mortality, and other factors suggests their potential for risk prediction and evaluation of age-reversing interventions.
AGEING RESEARCH REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Mary E. E. Sehl, Elizabeth Crabb Breen, Roger Shih, Larry Chen, Ruibin Wang, Steve Horvath, Jay H. H. Bream, Priya Duggal, Jeremy Martinson, Steven M. M. Wolinsky, Otoniel Martinez-Maza, Christina M. M. Ramirez, Beth D. D. Jamieson
Summary: This study found that the rate of epigenetic aging is significantly accelerated in untreated individuals living with HIV. HIV infection not only elevates epigenetic age, but also increases the rate of aging in the years following infection.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Pi-I D. Lin, Andres Cardenas, Sheryl L. Rifas-Shiman, Ami R. Zota, Marie-France Hivert, Izzuddin M. Aris, Alison P. Sanders
Summary: This study aimed to explore the association between trace elements and maternal kidney function during the first trimester of pregnancy. The findings suggest that high lead levels and low magnesium, selenium, and zinc levels are associated with decreased kidney function. Furthermore, the analysis of trace element mixtures shows that a higher concentration of non-essential trace elements is associated with reduced kidney function, while a higher concentration of essential trace elements is associated with improved kidney function.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Anna R. Smith, Pi-I D. Lin, Sheryl L. Rifas-Shiman, Robert O. Wright, Brent Coull, Marie-France Hivert, Alan Hubbard, Emily Oken, Andres Cardenas
Summary: This study found that prenatal first-trimester essential metals were associated with lower childhood adiposity, while nonessential metals were associated with higher adiposity that persisted into adolescence.
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Emily Oken, Theresa M. Bastain, Nicole Bornkamp, Carrie Breton, Rebecca C. Fry, Diane R. Gold, Marie-France Hivert, Steve Howland, Daniel J. Jackson, Christine C. Johnson, Kyra Jones, MollyAn Killingbeck, T. Michael O'Shea, Marleny Ortega, Dennis Ownby, Frederica Perera, Julie Rollins, Julie B. Herbstman
Summary: High-quality evidence from prospective longitudinal studies in humans is essential for understanding the developmental origins of health and disease. This paper discusses the challenges faced by birth cohort studies and provides recommendations for long-term funding, maintaining contact with participants, maximizing engagement, and addressing sensitive topics. Successful longitudinal follow-up requires flexibility, adaptability, and appropriate incentives.
JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENTAL ORIGINS OF HEALTH AND DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Ella Parsons, Sheryl L. Rifas-Shiman, Anne K. Bozack, Andrea A. Baccarelli, Dawn L. DeMeo, Marie-France Hivert, Lode Godderis, Radu-Corneliu Duca, Emily Oken, Andres Cardenas
Summary: The prenatal environment may program health and disease susceptibility via epigenetic mechanisms. This study found associations between maternal trimester-specific intake of micronutrients and global DNA methylation and 5-hydroxymethylation in cord blood, with some associations persisting into early childhood.
JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENTAL ORIGINS OF HEALTH AND DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Tiange Liu, Fan Jia, Moira K. Differding, Ni Zhao, Myriam Doyon, Luigi Bouchard, Patrice Perron, Renee Guerin, Eric Masse, Marie-France Hivert, Noel T. Mueller
Summary: Maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) is associated with the diversity and composition of gut microbiota in mothers and children 5 years after birth. However, the nature and direction of these associations differ between mothers and children, suggesting the need for further research.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBESITY
(2023)
Review
Allergy
Andres Cardenas, Raj P. Fadadu, Gerard H. Koppelman
Summary: This article provides a narrative review of epigenetic research on the relationship between the environment and allergies. The review highlights the importance of DNA methylation as an epigenetic modification and discusses the findings from previous studies and recent research. Overall, the results suggest that there are consistent associations between environmental exposures and DNA methylation changes related to allergic diseases. The review also suggests recommendations for future research in this field.
JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Jamaji C. Nwanaji-Enwerem, Andres Cardenas, Jaclyn M. Goodrich, Melissa A. Furlong, Alesia M. Jung, Philip A. Collender, Alberto J. Caban-Martinez, Casey Grant, Shawn C. Beitel, Sally Littau, Derek J. Urwin, Jamie J. Gabriel, Jeff Hughes, John Gulotta, Darin Wallentine, Jefferey L. Burgess
Summary: This study aimed to examine the association between years of firefighting service and eight blood leukocyte epigenetic age acceleration measures. The results showed that incumbent firefighters had greater epigenetic age acceleration compared to recruit firefighters, potentially due to cumulative occupational exposures. However, among incumbent firefighters, additional years of service were associated with epigenetic age deceleration, particularly for GrimAge, a strong predictor of mortality.
JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jordi Merino, Hassan S. Dashti, Douglas E. Levy, Magdalena Del Rocio Sevilla-Gonzalez, Marie-France Hivert, Bianca C. Porneala, Richa Saxena, Anne N. Thorndike
Summary: This study investigates the impact of genetic variants on macronutrient preference and long-term food choices. The results show that an increase in the polygenic score for carbohydrate preference is associated with more monthly food purchases and a higher number of purchases with green-labeled food. However, there is no evidence of associations between fat and protein polygenic scores and food purchases.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Anne K. Bozack, Sheryl L. Rifas-Shiman, Diane R. Gold, Zachary M. Laubach, Wei Perng, Marie-France Hivert, Andres Cardenas
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the performance of epigenetic clocks and identify biological and sociodemographic correlates of epigenetic age acceleration (EAA) and epigenetic gestational age acceleration (EGAA) at birth and in childhood. The study found that maternal smoking during pregnancy and child sex were associated with EAA and EGAA at multiple timepoints.
CLINICAL EPIGENETICS
(2023)
Review
Allergy
Andres Cardenas, Raj Fadadu, Supinda Bunyavanich
Summary: Human epigenetic variation is associated with environmental exposures, allergic diseases, and climate change. Studies have shown that both short-term and long-term exposure to temperature is related to epigenetic alterations and aging. Limited research has been done on natural disasters or extreme weather events. Some studies have identified differential DNA methylation of multiple genes and pathways associated with asthma or allergy. Integration of climate-related events, epigenetic biomarkers, and allergic diseases is lacking. Prospective longitudinal studies and collection of target tissues are needed.
JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Jia Zhu, Anders U. Eliasen, Izzuddin M. Aris, Sara E. Stinson, Jens-Christian Holm, Torben Hansen, Marie-France Hivert, Klaus Bonnelykke, Rany M. Salem, Joel N. Hirschhorn, Yee-Ming Chan
Summary: Genetic risk factors for PCOS are associated with alterations in metabolic, growth, and developmental traits in childhood.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY & METABOLISM
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Fang Fang, Linran Zhou, Wei Perng, Carmen J. Marsit, Anna K. Knight, Andres Cardenas, Max T. Aung, Marie-France Hivert, Izzuddin M. Aris, Jaclyn M. Goodrich, Alicia K. Smith, Abigail Gaylord, Rebecca C. Fry, Emily Oken, George O'Connor, Douglas M. Ruden, Leonardo Trasande, Julie B. Herbstman, Carlos A. Camargo Jr, Nicole R. Bush, Anne L. Dunlop, Dana M. Dabelea, Margaret R. Karagas, Carrie V. Breton, Carole Ober, Todd M. Everson, Grier P. Page, Christine Ladd-Acosta
Summary: This study assessed the accuracy of pediatric epigenetic clocks in determining gestational and chronological age. The findings showed that different clocks performed differently in different tissue types, providing valuable guidance for future research and development of epigenetic clocks in pediatric samples.
CLINICAL EPIGENETICS
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Mingyu Zhang, Izzuddin M. Aris, Pi-I Debby Lin, Sheryl L. Rifas-Shiman, Tammy M. Brady, Tamarra James-Todd, Emily Oken, Marie-France Hivert
Summary: This study found associations between prenatal and childhood PFAS exposures and blood pressure at specific time points, but no consistent associations across all time points or PFAS types.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Sneha S. Patil, Naveen Puttaswamy, Sachin C. Sarode, Gargi S. Sarode, Smita S. Patil, Andres Cardenas, Rajesh Kumar Gandhirajan, Kalpana Balakrishnan
Summary: This study describes the current state and future trends in research on exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) and its impact on children's health (CH) using bibliometrics and altmetrics. The study found that childhood asthma was the main focus of research, but current trends have shifted towards emerging fields such as children's oral health and DNA methylation. Twitter, policy documents, and news outlets were the main platforms for discussing research outputs.