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Verschoor CP, Lin DTS, Kobor MS, Mian O, Ma J, Pare G, Ybazeta G. Epigenetic age is associated with baseline and 3-year change in frailty in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging. Clin Epigenetics 2021; 13:163. [PMID: 34425884 PMCID: PMC8381580 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-021-01150-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The trajectory of frailty in older adults is important to public health; therefore, markers that may help predict this and other important outcomes could be beneficial. Epigenetic clocks have been developed and are associated with various health-related outcomes and sociodemographic factors, but associations with frailty are poorly described. Further, it is uncertain whether newer generations of epigenetic clocks, trained on variables other than chronological age, would be more strongly associated with frailty than earlier developed clocks. Using data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA), we tested the hypothesis that clocks trained on phenotypic markers of health or mortality (i.e., Dunedin PoAm, GrimAge, PhenoAge and Zhang in Nat Commun 8:14617, 2017) would best predict changes in a 76-item frailty index (FI) over a 3-year interval, as compared to clocks trained on chronological age (i.e., Hannum in Mol Cell 49:359-367, 2013, Horvath in Genome Biol 14:R115, 2013, Lin in Aging 8:394-401, 2016, and Yang Genome Biol 17:205, 2016). RESULTS We show that in 1446 participants, phenotype/mortality-trained clocks outperformed age-trained clocks with regard to the association with baseline frailty (mean = 0.141, SD = 0.075), the greatest of which is GrimAge, where a 1-SD increase in ΔGrimAge (i.e., the difference from chronological age) was associated with a 0.020 increase in frailty (95% CI 0.016, 0.024), or ~ 27% relative to the SD in frailty. Only GrimAge and Hannum (Mol Cell 49:359-367, 2013) were significantly associated with change in frailty over time, where a 1-SD increase in ΔGrimAge and ΔHannum 2013 was associated with a 0.0030 (95% CI 0.0007, 0.0050) and 0.0028 (95% CI 0.0007, 0.0050) increase over 3 years, respectively, or ~ 7% relative to the SD in frailty change. CONCLUSION Both prevalence and change in frailty are associated with increased epigenetic age. However, not all clocks are equally sensitive to these outcomes and depend on their underlying relationship with chronological age, healthspan and lifespan. Certain clocks were significantly associated with relatively short-term changes in frailty, thereby supporting their utility in initiatives and interventions to promote healthy aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris P Verschoor
- Health Sciences North Research Institute, 41 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON, P3E 5J1, Canada.
- Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Sudbury, ON, Canada.
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
| | - David T S Lin
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Michael S Kobor
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Oxana Mian
- Health Sciences North Research Institute, 41 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON, P3E 5J1, Canada
| | - Jinhui Ma
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Guillaume Pare
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Gustavo Ybazeta
- Health Sciences North Research Institute, 41 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON, P3E 5J1, Canada
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202
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Mandelblatt JS, Ahles TA, Lippman ME, Isaacs C, Adams-Campbell L, Saykin AJ, Cohen HJ, Carroll J. Applying a Life Course Biological Age Framework to Improving the Care of Individuals With Adult Cancers: Review and Research Recommendations. JAMA Oncol 2021; 7:1692-1699. [PMID: 34351358 PMCID: PMC8602673 DOI: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2021.1160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Importance The practice of oncology will increasingly involve the care of a growing population of individuals with midlife and late-life cancers. Managing cancer in these individuals is complex, based on differences in biological age at diagnosis. Biological age is a measure of accumulated life course damage to biological systems, loss of reserve, and vulnerability to functional deterioration and death. Biological age is important because it affects the ability to manage the rigors of cancer therapy, survivors' function, and cancer progression. However, biological age is not always clinically apparent. This review presents a conceptual framework of life course biological aging, summarizes candidate measures, and describes a research agenda to facilitate clinical translation to oncology practice. Observations Midlife and late-life cancers are chronic diseases that may arise from cumulative patterns of biological aging occurring over the life course. Before diagnosis, each new patient was on a distinct course of biological aging related to past exposures, life experiences, genetics, and noncancer chronic disease. Cancer and its treatments may also be associated with biological aging. Several measures of biological age, including p16INK4a, epigenetic age, telomere length, and inflammatory and body composition markers, have been used in oncology research. One or more of these measures may be useful in cancer care, either alone or in combination with clinical history and geriatric assessments. However, further research will be needed before biological age assessment can be recommended in routine practice, including determination of situations in which knowledge about biological age would change treatment, ascertaining whether treatment effects on biological aging are short-lived or persistent, and testing interventions to modify biological age, decrease treatment toxic effects, and maintain functional abilities. Conclusions and Relevance Understanding differences in biological aging could ultimately allow clinicians to better personalize treatment and supportive care, develop tailored survivorship care plans, and prescribe preventive or ameliorative therapies and behaviors informed by aging mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeanne S Mandelblatt
- Department of Oncology, Cancer Prevention and Control Program, Georgetown-Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC.,Department of Medicine, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC
| | - Tim A Ahles
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Marc E Lippman
- Department of Medicine, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC.,Department of Oncology, Breast Cancer Program, Georgetown-Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC
| | - Claudine Isaacs
- Department of Medicine, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC.,Department of Oncology, Breast Cancer Program, Georgetown-Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC
| | - Lucile Adams-Campbell
- Department of Oncology, Cancer Prevention and Control Program, Georgetown-Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC
| | - Andrew J Saykin
- Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Center for Neuroimaging, Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and the Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis
| | - Harvey J Cohen
- Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Judith Carroll
- UCLA Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology, Los Angeles, California
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203
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Noroozi R, Ghafouri-Fard S, Pisarek A, Rudnicka J, Spólnicka M, Branicki W, Taheri M, Pośpiech E. DNA methylation-based age clocks: From age prediction to age reversion. Ageing Res Rev 2021; 68:101314. [PMID: 33684551 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2021.101314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Aging as an irretrievable occurrence throughout the entire life is characterized by a progressive decline in physiological functionality and enhanced disease vulnerability. Numerous studies have demonstrated that epigenetic modifications, particularly DNA methylation (DNAm), correlate with aging and age-related diseases. Several investigations have attempted to predict chronological age using the age-related alterations in the DNAm of certain CpG sites. Here we categorize different studies that tracked the aging process in the DNAm landscape to show how epigenetic age clocks evolved from a chronological age estimator to an indicator of lifespan and healthspan. We also describe the health and disease predictive potential of estimated epigenetic age acceleration regarding different clinical conditions and lifestyle factors. Considering the revealed age-related epigenetic changes, the recent age-reprogramming strategies are discussed which are promising methods for resetting the aging clocks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rezvan Noroozi
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Soudeh Ghafouri-Fard
- Department of Medical Genetics, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Aleksandra Pisarek
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Joanna Rudnicka
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | | | - Wojciech Branicki
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland.
| | - Mohammad Taheri
- Urology and Nephrology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Ewelina Pośpiech
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland.
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204
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Kim Y, Huan T, Joehanes R, McKeown NM, Horvath S, Levy D, Ma J. Higher diet quality relates to decelerated epigenetic aging. Am J Clin Nutr 2021; 115:163-170. [PMID: 34134146 PMCID: PMC8755029 DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/nqab201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND DNA methylation-based epigenetic age measures have been used as biological aging markers and are associated with a healthy lifespan. Few population-based studies have examined the relation between diet and epigenetic age acceleration. OBJECTIVES We aimed to investigate the relation between diet quality and epigenetic age acceleration. METHODS We analyzed data from 1995 participants (mean age, 67 years; 55% women) of the Framingham Heart Study Offspring Cohort. Cross-sectional associations between the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) score and 3 whole-blood DNA methylation-derived epigenetic age acceleration measures-Dunedin Pace of Aging Methylation (DunedinPoAm), GrimAge acceleration (GrimAA), and PhenoAge acceleration (PhenoAA)-were examined. A mediation analysis was conducted to assess the mediating role of epigenetic age acceleration in relation to DASH and all-cause mortality. RESULTS A higher DASH score was associated with lower levels of DunedinPoAm (β = -0.05; SE = 0.02; P = 0.007), GrimAA (β = -0.09; SE = 0.02; P < 0.001), and PhenoAA (β = -0.07; SE = 0.02; P = 0.001). All 3 epigenetic measures mediated the association between the DASH score and all-cause mortality, with mean proportions of 22.1% for DunedinPoAm (Pmediation = 0.04), 45.1% for GrimAA (Pmediation = 0.001), and 22.9% for PhenoAA (Pmediation = 0.03). An interaction was observed between the DASH score and smoking status in relation to the epigenetic aging markers. The association between the DASH score and epigenetic aging markers tended to be stronger in "ever-smokers" (former and current smokers) compared to "never-smokers." The proportions of mediation were 31.3% for DunedinPoAm, 46.8% for GrimAA, and 10.3% for PhenoAA in ever-smokers, whereas no significant mediation was observed in never-smokers. CONCLUSIONS Higher diet quality is associated with slower epigenetic age acceleration, which partially explains the beneficial effect of diet quality on the lifespan. Our findings emphasize that adopting a healthy diet is crucial for maintaining healthy aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youjin Kim
- Nutrition Epidemiology and Data Science, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tianxiao Huan
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Roby Joehanes
- Population Sciences Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD & Framingham Heart Study, Framingham, MA, USA
| | - Nicola M McKeown
- Nutrition Epidemiology and Data Science, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA,Nutritional Epidemiology Laboratory, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Steve Horvath
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA,Department of Biostatistics, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Daniel Levy
- Population Sciences Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD & Framingham Heart Study, Framingham, MA, USA
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205
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Raffington L, Belsky DW, Kothari M, Malanchini M, Tucker-Drob EM, Harden KP. Socioeconomic Disadvantage and the Pace of Biological Aging in Children. Pediatrics 2021; 147:e2020024406. [PMID: 34001641 PMCID: PMC8785753 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2020-024406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Children who grow up in socioeconomic disadvantage face increased burden of disease and disability throughout their lives. One hypothesized mechanism for this increased burden is that early-life disadvantage accelerates biological processes of aging, increasing vulnerability to subsequent disease. To evaluate this hypothesis and the potential impact of preventive interventions, measures are needed that can quantify early acceleration of biological aging in childhood. METHODS Saliva DNA methylation and socioeconomic circumstances were measured in N = 600 children and adolescents aged 8 to 18 years (48% female) participating in the Texas Twin Project. We measured pace of biological aging using the DunedinPoAm DNA methylation algorithm, developed to quantify the pace-of-aging-related decline in system integrity. We tested if children in more disadvantaged families and neighborhoods exhibited a faster pace of aging as compared with children in more affluent contexts. RESULTS Children living in more disadvantaged families and neighborhoods exhibited a faster DunedinPoAm-measured pace of aging (r = 0.18; P = .001 for both). Latinx-identifying children exhibited a faster DunedinPoAm-measured pace of aging compared with both White- and Latinx White-identifying children, consistent with higher levels of disadvantage in this group. Children with more advanced pubertal development, higher BMI, and more tobacco exposure exhibited faster a faster DunedinPoAm-measured pace of aging. However, DunedinPoAm-measured pace of aging associations with socioeconomic disadvantage were robust to control for these factors. CONCLUSIONS Children growing up under conditions of socioeconomic disadvantage exhibit a faster pace of biological aging. DNA methylation pace of aging might be useful as a surrogate end point in evaluation of programs and policies to address the childhood social determinants of lifelong health disparities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurel Raffington
- Department of Psychology and
- Population Research Center, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Daniel W Belsky
- Department of Epidemiology and
- The Robert N. Butler Columbia Aging Center, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York; and
| | - Meeraj Kothari
- The Robert N. Butler Columbia Aging Center, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York; and
| | - Margherita Malanchini
- Department of Psychology and
- Population Research Center, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
- Department of Biological and Experimental Psychology, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Elliot M Tucker-Drob
- Department of Psychology and
- Population Research Center, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
- Contributed equally as co-lead authors
| | - K Paige Harden
- Department of Psychology and
- Population Research Center, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
- Contributed equally as co-lead authors
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206
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Notterman DA. Growing Old Before Their Time: Measuring Aging. Pediatrics 2021; 147:e2021049939. [PMID: 34001639 PMCID: PMC8168600 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2021-049939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel A Notterman
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey
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207
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Crimmins EM, Thyagarajan B, Levine ME, Weir DR, Faul J. Associations of Age, Sex, Race/Ethnicity, and Education With 13 Epigenetic Clocks in a Nationally Representative U.S. Sample: The Health and Retirement Study. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2021; 76:1117-1123. [PMID: 33453106 PMCID: PMC8140049 DOI: 10.1093/gerona/glab016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many DNA methylation-based indicators have been developed as summary measures of epigenetic aging. We examine the associations between 13 epigenetic clocks, including 4 second generation clocks, as well as the links of the clocks to social, demographic, and behavioral factors known to be related to health outcomes: sex, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, obesity, and lifetime smoking pack-years. METHODS The Health and Retirement Study is the data source which is a nationally representative sample of Americans over age 50. Assessment of DNA methylation was based on the EPIC chip and epigenetic clocks were developed based on existing literature. RESULTS The clocks vary in the strength of their relationships with age, with each other and with independent variables. Second generation clocks trained on health-related characteristics tend to relate more strongly to the sociodemographic and health behaviors known to be associated with health outcomes in this age group. CONCLUSIONS Users of this publicly available data set should be aware that epigenetic clocks vary in their relationships to age and to variables known to be related to the process of health change with age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eileen M Crimmins
- Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Bharat Thyagarajan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, USA
| | - Morgan E Levine
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - David R Weir
- Institute for Social Research, Survey Research Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA
| | - Jessica Faul
- Institute for Social Research, Survey Research Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA
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208
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Wertz J, Caspi A, Ambler A, Broadbent J, Hancox RJ, Harrington H, Hogan S, Houts RM, Leung JH, Poulton R, Purdy SC, Ramrakha S, Rasmussen LJH, Richmond-Rakerd LS, Thorne PR, Wilson GA, Moffitt TE. Association of History of Psychopathology With Accelerated Aging at Midlife. JAMA Psychiatry 2021; 78:530-539. [PMID: 33595619 PMCID: PMC7890535 DOI: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2020.4626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Individuals with mental disorders are at an elevated risk of developing chronic age-related physical diseases. However, it is not clear whether psychopathology is also associated with processes of accelerated aging that precede the onset of age-related disease. OBJECTIVE To test the hypothesis that a history of psychopathology is associated with indicators of accelerated aging at midlife. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This prospective cohort study was based on the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study, a population-representative birth cohort of 1037 individuals born between April 1, 1972, and March 31, 1973, in Dunedin, New Zealand. Members were followed up to age 45 years (until April 2019). Data were analyzed from January 6 to December 7, 2020. EXPOSURES Mental disorders were assessed in 6 diagnostic assessments from ages 18 to 45 years and transformed through confirmatory factor analysis into continuous measures of general psychopathology (p-factor) and dimensions of internalizing, externalizing, and thought disorders (all standardized to a mean [SD] of 100 [15]). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Signs of aging (biological pace of aging; declines in sensory, motor, and cognitive functioning; and facial age) were assessed up to age 45 years using previously validated measures including biomarkers, clinical tests, and self-reports. RESULTS Of the original 1037 cohort participants, 997 were still alive at age 45 years, of whom 938 (94%) were assessed (474 men [50.5%]). Participants who had experienced more psychopathology exhibited a faster pace of biological aging (β, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.21-0.33; P < .01); experienced more difficulties with hearing (β, 0.18; 95% CI, 0.12-0.24; P < .01), vision (β, 0.08; 95% CI, 0.01-0.14; P < .05), balance (β, 0.20; 95% CI, 0.14-0.26; P < .01), and motor functioning (β, 0.19; 95% CI, 0.12-0.25; P < .01); experienced more cognitive difficulties (β, 0.24; 95% CI, 0.18-0.31; P < .01); and were rated as looking older (β, 0.20; 95% CI, 0.14-0.26; P < .01). Associations persisted after controlling for sex, childhood health indicators, maltreatment, and socioeconomic status and after taking into account being overweight, smoking, use of antipsychotic medication, and the presence of physical disease. Tests of diagnostic specificity revealed that associations were generalizable across externalizing, internalizing, and thought disorders. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this cohort study, a history of psychopathology was associated with accelerated aging at midlife, years before the typical onset of age-related diseases. This link is not specific to any particular disorder family but generalizes across disorders. Prevention of psychopathology and monitoring of individuals with mental disorders for signs of accelerated aging may have the potential to reduce health inequalities and extend healthy lives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmin Wertz
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Avshalom Caspi
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina,Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom,Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina,Promenta Research Center, University of Oslo, Norway
| | - Antony Ambler
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom,Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | | | - Robert J. Hancox
- Department of Preventive & Social Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - HonaLee Harrington
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Sean Hogan
- Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Renate M. Houts
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Joan H. Leung
- School of Psychology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Richie Poulton
- Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Suzanne C. Purdy
- School of Psychology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand,Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand,Eisdell Moore Centre for Hearing and Balance Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Sandhya Ramrakha
- Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Line Jee Hartmann Rasmussen
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina,Department of Clinical Research, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | | | - Peter R. Thorne
- School of Psychology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand,Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand,Eisdell Moore Centre for Hearing and Balance Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Graham A. Wilson
- Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Terrie E. Moffitt
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina,Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom,Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina,Promenta Research Center, University of Oslo, Norway
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209
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Anderson JA, Johnston RA, Lea AJ, Campos FA, Voyles TN, Akinyi MY, Alberts SC, Archie EA, Tung J. High social status males experience accelerated epigenetic aging in wild baboons. eLife 2021; 10:e66128. [PMID: 33821798 PMCID: PMC8087445 DOI: 10.7554/elife.66128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Aging, for virtually all life, is inescapable. However, within populations, biological aging rates vary. Understanding sources of variation in this process is central to understanding the biodemography of natural populations. We constructed a DNA methylation-based age predictor for an intensively studied wild baboon population in Kenya. Consistent with findings in humans, the resulting 'epigenetic clock' closely tracks chronological age, but individuals are predicted to be somewhat older or younger than their known ages. Surprisingly, these deviations are not explained by the strongest predictors of lifespan in this population, early adversity and social integration. Instead, they are best predicted by male dominance rank: high-ranking males are predicted to be older than their true ages, and epigenetic age tracks changes in rank over time. Our results argue that achieving high rank for male baboons - the best predictor of reproductive success - imposes costs consistent with a 'live fast, die young' life-history strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan A Anderson
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke UniversityDurhamUnited States
| | - Rachel A Johnston
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke UniversityDurhamUnited States
| | - Amanda J Lea
- Department of Biology, Duke UniversityDurhamUnited States
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Carl Icahn Laboratory, Princeton UniversityPrincetonUnited States
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Princeton UniversityPrincetonUnited States
| | - Fernando A Campos
- Department of Biology, Duke UniversityDurhamUnited States
- Department of Anthropology, University of Texas at San AntonioSan AntonioUnited States
| | - Tawni N Voyles
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke UniversityDurhamUnited States
| | - Mercy Y Akinyi
- Institute of Primate Research, National Museums of KenyaNairobiKenya
| | - Susan C Alberts
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke UniversityDurhamUnited States
- Department of Biology, Duke UniversityDurhamUnited States
| | - Elizabeth A Archie
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre DameNotre DameUnited States
| | - Jenny Tung
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke UniversityDurhamUnited States
- Department of Biology, Duke UniversityDurhamUnited States
- Duke Population Research Institute, Duke UniversityDurhamUnited States
- Canadian Institute for Advanced ResearchTorontoCanada
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210
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Elliott ML, Caspi A, Houts RM, Ambler A, Broadbent JM, Hancox RJ, Harrington H, Hogan S, Keenan R, Knodt A, Leung JH, Melzer TR, Purdy SC, Ramrakha S, Richmond-Rakerd LS, Righarts A, Sugden K, Thomson WM, Thorne PR, Williams BS, Wilson G, Hariri AR, Poulton R, Moffitt TE. Disparities in the pace of biological aging among midlife adults of the same chronological age have implications for future frailty risk and policy. NATURE AGING 2021; 1:295-308. [PMID: 33796868 PMCID: PMC8009092 DOI: 10.1038/s43587-021-00044-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Some humans age faster than others. Variation in biological aging can be measured in midlife, but the implications of this variation are poorly understood. We tested associations between midlife biological aging and indicators of future frailty-risk in the Dunedin cohort of 1037 infants born the same year and followed to age 45. Participants' Pace of Aging was quantified by tracking declining function in 19 biomarkers indexing the cardiovascular, metabolic, renal, immune, dental, and pulmonary systems across ages 26, 32, 38, and 45 years. At age 45 in 2019, participants with faster Pace of Aging had more cognitive difficulties, signs of advanced brain aging, diminished sensory-motor functions, older appearance, and more pessimistic perceptions of aging. People who are aging more rapidly than same-age peers in midlife may prematurely need supports to sustain independence that are usually reserved for older adults. Chronological age does not adequately identify need for such supports.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxwell L. Elliott
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Avshalom Caspi
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Renate M. Houts
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Antony Ambler
- King’s College London, Social, Genetic, and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, & Neuroscience, London, UK
- Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Research Unit, Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | | | - Robert J. Hancox
- Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Otago Medical School, University of Otago, New Zealand
| | - HonaLee Harrington
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Sean Hogan
- Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Research Unit, Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Ross Keenan
- Brain Research New Zealand-Rangahau Roro Aotearoa, Centre of Research Excellence, Universities of Auckland and Otago, New Zealand
- Christchurch Radiology group, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Annchen Knodt
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Joan H. Leung
- School of Psychology, University of Auckland, New Zealand
- Eisdell Moore Centre, University of Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Tracy R. Melzer
- Brain Research New Zealand-Rangahau Roro Aotearoa, Centre of Research Excellence, Universities of Auckland and Otago, New Zealand
- Department of Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Suzanne C. Purdy
- Brain Research New Zealand-Rangahau Roro Aotearoa, Centre of Research Excellence, Universities of Auckland and Otago, New Zealand
- School of Psychology, University of Auckland, New Zealand
- Eisdell Moore Centre, University of Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Sandhya Ramrakha
- Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Research Unit, Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | | | - Antoinette Righarts
- Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Otago Medical School, University of Otago, New Zealand
| | - Karen Sugden
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Peter R. Thorne
- Brain Research New Zealand-Rangahau Roro Aotearoa, Centre of Research Excellence, Universities of Auckland and Otago, New Zealand
- Eisdell Moore Centre, University of Auckland, New Zealand
- School of Population Health, University of Auckland, New Zealand
| | | | - Graham Wilson
- Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Research Unit, Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Ahmad R. Hariri
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Richie Poulton
- Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Research Unit, Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Terrie E. Moffitt
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
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211
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Prada D, Belsky D, Baccarelli A. Is your environment making you older? Molecular biomarkers and new approaches to investigate the influences of environmental chemicals through aging. LA MEDICINA DEL LAVORO 2021; 112:8-14. [PMID: 33635291 PMCID: PMC8023055 DOI: 10.23749/mdl.v112i1.10826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Aging is characterized by a gradual and progressive decline in system integrity that occurs with advancing chronological age. Although it is a physiological process, aging is associated with a myriad of age-related diseases (ARDs), including frailty, sarcopenia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. While not exclusively ARDs, many of these diseases lead to death, a lesser quality of life, and increased healthcare costs for individuals and systems. ARDs share several underlying molecular mechanisms, such as cellular damage, inflammation, DNA methylation changes, stem cells exhaustion, and DNA mutations, which have been outlined as hallmarks of aging. Evidence suggests that environmental exposures, including but not limited to metals, air pollution, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and noise, may accelerate biological aging. Over the past few years, aging research has identified new molecular biomarkers of the aging process. When applied to investigate environmental influences, these biomarkers can help identify individuals who are particularly susceptible to the influences of environmental exposures on aging processes and therefore guide in implementing possible preventive measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diddier Prada
- Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, USA; Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Mexico.
| | - Daniel Belsky
- Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health .
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212
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Parade SH, Huffhines L, Daniels TE, Stroud LR, Nugent NR, Tyrka AR. A systematic review of childhood maltreatment and DNA methylation: candidate gene and epigenome-wide approaches. Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:134. [PMID: 33608499 PMCID: PMC7896059 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-021-01207-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2019] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Childhood maltreatment is a major risk factor for chronic and severe mental and physical health problems across the lifespan. Increasing evidence supports the hypothesis that maltreatment is associated with epigenetic changes that may subsequently serve as mechanisms of disease. The current review uses a systematic approach to identify and summarize the literature related to childhood maltreatment and alterations in DNA methylation in humans. A total of 100 empirical articles were identified in our systematic review of research published prior to or during March 2020, including studies that focused on candidate genes and studies that leveraged epigenome-wide data in both children and adults. Themes arising from the literature, including consistent and inconsistent patterns of results, are presented. Several directions for future research, including important methodological considerations for future study design, are discussed. Taken together, the literature on childhood maltreatment and DNA methylation underscores the complexity of transactions between the environment and biology across development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie H Parade
- Initiative on Stress, Trauma, and Resilience, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.
- Bradley/Hasbro Children's Research Center, E. P. Bradley Hospital, East Providence, RI, USA.
| | - Lindsay Huffhines
- Initiative on Stress, Trauma, and Resilience, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
- Bradley/Hasbro Children's Research Center, E. P. Bradley Hospital, East Providence, RI, USA
| | - Teresa E Daniels
- Initiative on Stress, Trauma, and Resilience, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
- Laboratory for Clinical and Translational Neuroscience, Butler Hospital, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Laura R Stroud
- Initiative on Stress, Trauma, and Resilience, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
- Center for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, The Miriam Hospital, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Nicole R Nugent
- Initiative on Stress, Trauma, and Resilience, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Audrey R Tyrka
- Initiative on Stress, Trauma, and Resilience, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
- Laboratory for Clinical and Translational Neuroscience, Butler Hospital, Providence, RI, USA
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213
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Abstract
Integrating the analysis of molecular data from different sources may improve our understanding of the effects of biological aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meeraj Kothari
- Butler Columbia Aging Center, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, United States
| | - Daniel W Belsky
- Butler Columbia Aging Center, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, United States.,Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, United States
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214
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Jansen R, Han LKM, Verhoeven JE, Aberg KA, van den Oord ECGJ, Milaneschi Y, Penninx BWJH. An integrative study of five biological clocks in somatic and mental health. eLife 2021; 10:e59479. [PMID: 33558008 PMCID: PMC7872513 DOI: 10.7554/elife.59479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Biological clocks have been developed at different molecular levels and were found to be more advanced in the presence of somatic illness and mental disorders. However, it is unclear whether different biological clocks reflect similar aging processes and determinants. In ~3000 subjects, we examined whether five biological clocks (telomere length, epigenetic, transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic clocks) were interrelated and associated to somatic and mental health determinants. Correlations between biological aging indicators were small (all r < 0.2), indicating little overlap. The most consistent associations of advanced biological aging were found for male sex, higher body mass index (BMI), metabolic syndrome, smoking, and depression. As compared to the individual clocks, a composite index of all five clocks showed most pronounced associations with health determinants. The large effect sizes of the composite index and the low correlation between biological aging indicators suggest that one's biological age is best reflected by combining aging measures from multiple cellular levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rick Jansen
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute and Amsterdam NeuroscienceAmsterdamNetherlands
| | - Laura KM Han
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute and Amsterdam NeuroscienceAmsterdamNetherlands
| | - Josine E Verhoeven
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute and Amsterdam NeuroscienceAmsterdamNetherlands
| | - Karolina A Aberg
- Center for Biomarker Research and Precision Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondUnited States
| | - Edwin CGJ van den Oord
- Center for Biomarker Research and Precision Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondUnited States
| | - Yuri Milaneschi
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute and Amsterdam NeuroscienceAmsterdamNetherlands
| | - Brenda WJH Penninx
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute and Amsterdam NeuroscienceAmsterdamNetherlands
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215
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Richmond-Rakerd LS, Caspi A, Ambler A, d'Arbeloff T, de Bruine M, Elliott M, Harrington H, Hogan S, Houts RM, Ireland D, Keenan R, Knodt AR, Melzer TR, Park S, Poulton R, Ramrakha S, Rasmussen LJH, Sack E, Schmidt AT, Sison ML, Wertz J, Hariri AR, Moffitt TE. Childhood self-control forecasts the pace of midlife aging and preparedness for old age. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2010211118. [PMID: 33397808 PMCID: PMC7826388 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2010211118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability to control one's own emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in early life predicts a range of positive outcomes in later life, including longevity. Does it also predict how well people age? We studied the association between self-control and midlife aging in a population-representative cohort of children followed from birth to age 45 y, the Dunedin Study. We measured children's self-control across their first decade of life using a multi-occasion/multi-informant strategy. We measured their pace of aging and aging preparedness in midlife using measures derived from biological and physiological assessments, structural brain-imaging scans, observer ratings, self-reports, informant reports, and administrative records. As adults, children with better self-control aged more slowly in their bodies and showed fewer signs of aging in their brains. By midlife, these children were also better equipped to manage a range of later-life health, financial, and social demands. Associations with children's self-control could be separated from their social class origins and intelligence, indicating that self-control might be an active ingredient in healthy aging. Children also shifted naturally in their level of self-control across adult life, suggesting the possibility that self-control may be a malleable target for intervention. Furthermore, individuals' self-control in adulthood was associated with their aging outcomes after accounting for their self-control in childhood, indicating that midlife might offer another window of opportunity to promote healthy aging.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Avshalom Caspi
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom
- Promenta Center, University of Oslo, 0315 Oslo, Norway
| | - Antony Ambler
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom
- Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Research Unit, Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| | - Tracy d'Arbeloff
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708
| | - Marieke de Bruine
- Department of Developmental Psychology, Tilburg University, 5037 AB Tilburg, The Netherlands
| | - Maxwell Elliott
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708
| | - HonaLee Harrington
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708
| | - Sean Hogan
- Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Research Unit, Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| | - Renate M Houts
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708
| | - David Ireland
- Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Research Unit, Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| | - Ross Keenan
- New Zealand Brain Research Institute, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand
- Christchurch Radiology Group, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand
| | - Annchen R Knodt
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708
| | - Tracy R Melzer
- New Zealand Brain Research Institute, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand
- Department of Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand
| | - Sena Park
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708
| | - Richie Poulton
- Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Research Unit, Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| | - Sandhya Ramrakha
- Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Research Unit, Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| | - Line Jee Hartmann Rasmussen
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708
- Clinical Research Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital Amager and Hvidovre, 2650 Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Elizabeth Sack
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708
| | - Adam T Schmidt
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79410
| | - Maria L Sison
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708
| | - Jasmin Wertz
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708
| | - Ahmad R Hariri
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708
| | - Terrie E Moffitt
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom
- Promenta Center, University of Oslo, 0315 Oslo, Norway
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216
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Han Y, Nikolić M, Gobs M, Franzen J, de Haan G, Geiger H, Wagner W. Targeted methods for epigenetic age predictions in mice. Sci Rep 2020; 10:22439. [PMID: 33384442 PMCID: PMC7775437 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-79509-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Age-associated DNA methylation reflects aspect of biological aging—therefore epigenetic clocks for mice can elucidate how the aging process in this model organism is affected by specific treatments or genetic background. Initially, age-predictors for mice were trained for genome-wide DNA methylation profiles and we have recently described a targeted assay based on pyrosequencing of DNA methylation at only three age-associated genomic regions. Here, we established alternative approaches using droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) and barcoded bisulfite amplicon sequencing (BBA-seq). At individual CG dinucleotides (CpGs) the correlation of DNA methylation with chronological age was slightly higher for pyrosequencing and ddPCR as compared to BBA-seq. On the other hand, BBA-seq revealed that neighboring CpGs tend to be stochastically modified at murine age-associated regions. Furthermore, the binary sequel of methylated and non-methylated CpGs in individual reads can be used for single-read predictions, which may reflect heterogeneity in epigenetic aging. In comparison to C57BL/6 mice the single-read age-predictions using BBA-seq were also accelerated in the shorter-lived DBA/2 mice, and in C57BL/6 mice with a lifespan quantitative trait locus of DBA/2 mice. Taken together, we describe alternative targeted methods for epigenetic age predictions that provide new perspectives for aging-intervention studies in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Han
- Helmholtz-Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Stem Cell Biology and Cellular Engineering, RWTH Aachen University Medical School, Pauwelsstraße 20, 52074, Aachen, Germany.,Institute for Biomedical Engineering - Cell Biology, University Hospital of RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Miloš Nikolić
- Helmholtz-Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Stem Cell Biology and Cellular Engineering, RWTH Aachen University Medical School, Pauwelsstraße 20, 52074, Aachen, Germany.,Institute for Biomedical Engineering - Cell Biology, University Hospital of RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Michael Gobs
- Helmholtz-Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Stem Cell Biology and Cellular Engineering, RWTH Aachen University Medical School, Pauwelsstraße 20, 52074, Aachen, Germany.,Institute for Biomedical Engineering - Cell Biology, University Hospital of RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Julia Franzen
- Helmholtz-Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Stem Cell Biology and Cellular Engineering, RWTH Aachen University Medical School, Pauwelsstraße 20, 52074, Aachen, Germany.,Institute for Biomedical Engineering - Cell Biology, University Hospital of RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Gerald de Haan
- Laboratory of Ageing Biology and Stem Cells, European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Hartmut Geiger
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Ulm University, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Wagner
- Helmholtz-Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Stem Cell Biology and Cellular Engineering, RWTH Aachen University Medical School, Pauwelsstraße 20, 52074, Aachen, Germany. .,Institute for Biomedical Engineering - Cell Biology, University Hospital of RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany.
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217
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Decline in biological resilience as key manifestation of aging: Potential mechanisms and role in health and longevity. Mech Ageing Dev 2020; 194:111418. [PMID: 33340523 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2020.111418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Decline in biological resilience (ability to recover) is a key manifestation of aging that contributes to increase in vulnerability to death with age eventually limiting longevity even in people without major chronic diseases. Understanding the mechanisms of this decline is essential for developing efficient anti-aging and pro-longevity interventions. In this paper we discuss: a) mechanisms of the decline in resilience with age, and aging components that contribute to this decline, including depletion of body reserves, imperfect repair mechanisms, and slowdown of physiological processes and responses with age; b) anti-aging interventions that may improve resilience or attenuate its decline; c) biomarkers of resilience available in human and experimental studies; and d) genetic factors that could influence resilience. There are open questions about optimal anti-aging interventions that would oppose the decline in resilience along with extending longevity limits. However, the area develops quickly, and prospects are exciting.
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218
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Wang C, Ni W, Yao Y, Just A, Heiss J, Wei Y, Gao X, Coull BA, Kosheleva A, Baccarelli AA, Peters A, Schwartz JD. DNA methylation-based biomarkers of age acceleration and all-cause death, myocardial infarction, stroke, and cancer in two cohorts: The NAS, and KORA F4. EBioMedicine 2020; 63:103151. [PMID: 33279859 PMCID: PMC7724153 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2020.103151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Revised: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background DNA methylation (DNAm) may play a role in age-related outcomes. It is not yet known which DNAm-based biomarkers of age acceleration (BoAA) has the strongest association with age-related endpoints. Methods We collected the blood samples from two independent cohorts: the Normative Ageing Study, and the Cooperative Health Research in the Region of Augsburg cohort. We measured epigenome-wide DNAm level, and generated five DNAm BoAA at baseline. We used Cox proportional hazards model to analyze the relationships between BoAA and all-cause death. We applied the Fine and Gray competing risk model to estimate the risk of BoAA on myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and cancer, accounting for death of other reasons as the competing risks. We used random-effects meta-analyses to pool the individual results, with adjustment for multiple testing. Findings The mean chronological ages in the two cohorts were 74, and 61, respectively. Baseline GrimAgeAccel, and DNAm-related mortality risk score (DNAmRS) both had strong associations with all-cause death, MI, and stroke, independent from chronological age. For example, a one standard deviation (SD) increment in GrimAgeAccel was significantly associated with increased risk of all-cause death [hazard ratio (HR): 2.01; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.15, 3.50], higher risk of MI (HR: 1.44; 95% CI, 1.16, 1.79), and elevated risk of stroke (HR: 1.42; 95% CI, 1.06, 1.91). There were no associations between any BoAA and cancer. Interpretation From the public health perspective, GrimAgeAccel is the most useful tool for identifying at-risk elderly, and evaluating the efficacy of anti-aging interventions. Funding National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences of U.S., Harvard Chan-NIEHS Center for Environmental Health, German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, and the State of Bavaria in Germany.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cuicui Wang
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 401 Park Drive, West of Landmark Center, Boston, MA 02215, United States.
| | - Wenli Ni
- Institute of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Yueli Yao
- Institute of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Allan Just
- Department of Environmental Medicine, and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Jonathan Heiss
- Department of Environmental Medicine, and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Yaguang Wei
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 401 Park Drive, West of Landmark Center, Boston, MA 02215, United States
| | - Xu Gao
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Brent A Coull
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 401 Park Drive, West of Landmark Center, Boston, MA 02215, United States; Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Anna Kosheleva
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 401 Park Drive, West of Landmark Center, Boston, MA 02215, United States
| | - Andrea A Baccarelli
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Annette Peters
- Institute of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany; Institute of Medical Information Science, Biometry, and Epidemiology, Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich, Germany
| | - Joel D Schwartz
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 401 Park Drive, West of Landmark Center, Boston, MA 02215, United States
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219
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Gào X, Zhang Y, Boakye D, Li X, Chang-Claude J, Hoffmeister M, Brenner H. Whole blood DNA methylation aging markers predict colorectal cancer survival: a prospective cohort study. Clin Epigenetics 2020; 12:184. [PMID: 33256852 PMCID: PMC7708179 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-020-00977-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Blood DNA methylation-based aging algorithms predict mortality in the general population. We investigated the prognostic value of five established DNA methylation aging algorithms for patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods AgeAccelHorvath, AgeAccelHannum, DNAmMRscore, AgeAccelPheno and AgeAccelGrim were constructed using whole blood epi-genomic data from 2206 CRC patients. After a median follow-up of 6.2 years, 1079 deaths were documented, including 596 from CRC. Associations of the aging algorithms with survival outcomes were evaluated using the Cox regression and survival curves. Harrell’s C-statistics were computed to investigate predictive performance. Results Adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) of all-cause mortality for patients in the third compared to the first tertile were 1.66 (1.32, 2.09) for the DNAmMRscore, 1.35 (1.14, 1.59) for AgeAccelPheno and 1.65 (1.37, 2.00) for AgeAccelGrim, even after adjustment for age, sex and stage. AgeAccelHorvath and AgeAccelHannum were not associated with all-cause or CRC-specific mortality. In stage-specific analyses, associations were much stronger for patients with early or intermediate stage cancers (stages I, II and III) than for patients with metastatic (stage IV) cancers. Associations were weaker and less often statistically significant for CRC-specific mortality. Adding DNAmMRscore, AgeAccelPheno or AgeAccelGrim to models including age, sex and tumor stage improved predictive performance moderately. Conclusions DNAmMRscore, AgeAccelPheno and AgeAccelGrim could serve as non-invasive CRC prognostic biomarkers independent of other commonly used markers. Further research should aim for tailoring and refining such algorithms for CRC patients and to explore their value for enhanced prediction of treatment success and treatment decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xīn Gào
- Division of Clinical Epidemiology and Aging Research, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 581, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Yan Zhang
- Division of Clinical Epidemiology and Aging Research, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 581, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Daniel Boakye
- Division of Clinical Epidemiology and Aging Research, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 581, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Xiangwei Li
- Division of Clinical Epidemiology and Aging Research, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 581, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,Medical Faculty of Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 672, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jenny Chang-Claude
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 581, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael Hoffmeister
- Division of Clinical Epidemiology and Aging Research, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 581, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Hermann Brenner
- Division of Clinical Epidemiology and Aging Research, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 581, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Preventive Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
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Nwanaji-Enwerem JC, Nwanaji-Enwerem U, Van Der Laan L, Galazka JM, Redeker NS, Cardenas A. A Longitudinal Epigenetic Aging and Leukocyte Analysis of Simulated Space Travel: The Mars-500 Mission. Cell Rep 2020; 33:108406. [PMID: 33242403 PMCID: PMC7786521 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.108406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Astronauts undertaking long-duration space missions may be vulnerable to unique stressors that can impact human aging. Nevertheless, few studies have examined the relationship of mission duration with DNA-methylation-based biomarkers of aging in astronauts. Using data from the six participants of the Mars-500 mission, a high-fidelity 520-day ground simulation experiment, we tested relationships of mission duration with five longitudinally measured blood DNA-methylation-based metrics: DNAmGrimAge, DNAmPhenoAge, DNA-methylation-based estimator of telomere length (DNAmTL), mitotic divisions (epigenetic mitotic clock [epiTOC2]), and pace of aging (PoA). We provide evidence that, relative to baseline, mission duration was associated with significant decreases in epigenetic aging. However, only decreases in DNAmPhenoAge remained significant 7 days post-mission. We also observed significant changes in estimated proportions of plasmablasts, CD4T, CD8 naive, and natural killer (NK) cells. Only decreases in NK cells remained significant post-mission. If confirmed more broadly, these findings contribute insights to improve the understanding of the biological aging implications for individuals experiencing long-duration space travel. Long-duration space travel is marked by a unique combination of stressors known to impact human aging. Using data from six participants of the Mars-500 mission, a high-fidelity 520-day ground simulation experiment, Nwanaji-Enwerem et al. report significant associations of mission duration with decreased biological aging measured via blood DNA methylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamaji C Nwanaji-Enwerem
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and MD/PhD Program, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Center for Computational Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
| | | | - Lars Van Der Laan
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Center for Computational Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | | | | | - Andres Cardenas
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Center for Computational Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
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221
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Ng TP, Zhong X, Gao Q, Gwee X, Chua DQL, Larbi A. Socio-Environmental, Lifestyle, Behavioural, and Psychological Determinants of Biological Ageing: The Singapore Longitudinal Ageing Study. Gerontology 2020; 66:603-613. [PMID: 33197920 DOI: 10.1159/000511211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The identification of modifiable health span-promoting factors is a public health priority. OBJECTIVE To explore the socio-environmental, lifestyle, behavioural, and psychological determinants of a clinical phenotypic measure of biological ageing in the Singapore Longitudinal Ageing Study (SLAS) cohort. METHODS Using cross-sectional data on 2,844 SLAS-2 adults with a chronological age (CA) ≥55 years, we estimated biological age (BA) using a validated panel of clinical, biochemical, physiological, and functional indicators (8 in men and 10 in women) and calculated the difference between BA and CA (BA - CA in years). Potential determinants included education, housing status, loss of a spouse, living alone, lifestyle and health activity, smoking, alcohol consumption, nutritional risks, consumption of milk, soy, fruit, vegetables, coffee and tea, sleep parameters, and life satisfaction. RESULTS The mean CA was 67.0 (standard deviation [SD] 7.9; range 55-94) years. The estimated BA varied more widely (SD 8.9 years; range 47.5-119.9 years), and BA - CA ranged from -11.3 to 30.0 years. In stepwise selection regression analyses, multiple significant independent determinants in a final model were larger for private housing, being single/divorced/widowed, productivity, cognitive and leisure time activity scores, 10 h/week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, unintended loss of weight, life satisfaction, and daily consumption of fruits 1-2 or ≥3 servings and Chinese tea 1-2 or ≥3 cups daily, together explaining 16% of BA - CA variance in men and 14% in women. Associated BA - CA estimates were highest in men with high-end housing status (-1.8 years, effect size 0.015) and unintended weight loss (1.5 years, effect size 0.017). CONCLUSION We identified determinants of biological ageing which can promote health span.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tze Pin Ng
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore, .,Geriatric Education and Research Institute, Ministry of Health, Singapore, Singapore,
| | - Xin Zhong
- Social and Cognitive Computing Department, Institute of High-Performance Computing, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Fusionopolis, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Qi Gao
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Xinyi Gwee
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Denise Qian Ling Chua
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Anis Larbi
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
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222
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Moffitt TE. Behavioral and Social Research to Accelerate the Geroscience Translation Agenda. Ageing Res Rev 2020; 63:101146. [PMID: 32814128 PMCID: PMC7894048 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2020.101146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2019] [Revised: 07/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Geroscience is the study of how to slow biological aging to extend healthspan and longevity. Geroscience has not heretofore incorporated behavioral or social-science methods or findings into its agenda, but the current expansion of the agenda to human trials of anti-aging therapies will be greatly aided by behavioral and social science. This article recommends some ways in which geroscience can be augmented through collaboration with behavioral and social science to: accomplish translation from animal models to humans; inform the design of clinical trials of anti-aging therapies; develop outcome measures for evaluating efficacy of anti-aging therapies, and reduce and not exacerbate health disparities.
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223
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Nwanaji-Enwerem JC, Nwanaji-Enwerem U, Baccarelli AA, Williams RF, Colicino E. Anti-tumor necrosis factor drug responses and skin-blood DNA methylation age: Relationships in moderate-to-severe psoriasis. Exp Dermatol 2020; 30:1197-1203. [PMID: 33015854 DOI: 10.1111/exd.14207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2020] [Revised: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Studies have examined the utility of DNA methylation as a biomarker of psoriasis treatment responses, but investigations of treatment responses with Skin-Blood DNA methylation age (SkinBloodAge)-a methylation-based measure of health designed using skin tissues-are lacking. Using a HumanMethylation450 BeadChip blood DNA methylation data set from 70 white patients who presented with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis and were treated with anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) agents in Madrid, Spain, we examined the cross-sectional relationships of SkinBloodAge with anti-TNF treatment responses. Partial responders had a 7.2-year higher mean SkinBloodAge than excellent responders (P = .03). In linear regression models adjusted for chronological age, sex and anti-TNF agents - on average - partial responders had a 2.65-year higher SkinBloodAge than excellent responders (95%CI: 0.44, 4.86, P = .02). This relationship was attenuated in a sensitivity analysis adjusting for white blood cells including known T-cell mediators of psoriasis pathophysiology (β = 1.91-years, 95%CI: -0.50, 4.32, P = .12). Overall, our study suggests that partial responders to anti-TNF therapy have higher SkinBloodAges when compared to excellent responders. Although these findings still need to be confirmed more broadly, they further suggest that SkinBloodAge may be a useful treatment response biomarker that can be incorporated with other blood tests before anti-TNF therapy initiation in moderate-to-severe psoriasis patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamaji C Nwanaji-Enwerem
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, MD/PhD Program, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Andrea A Baccarelli
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ramone F Williams
- Division of Dermatology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Elena Colicino
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
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224
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Ryan CP. "Epigenetic clocks": Theory and applications in human biology. Am J Hum Biol 2020; 33:e23488. [PMID: 32845048 DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.23488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
All humans age, but how we age-and how fast-differs considerably from person to person. This deviation between apparent age and chronological age is often referred to as "biological age" (BA) and until recently robust tools for studying BA have been scarce. "Epigenetic clocks" are starting to change this. Epigenetic clocks use predictable changes in the epigenome, usually DNA methylation, to estimate chronological age with unprecedented accuracy. More importantly, deviations between epigenetic age and chronological age predict a broad range of health outcomes and mortality risks better than chronological age alone. Thus, epigenetic clocks appear to capture fundamental molecular processes tied to BA and can serve as powerful tools for studying health, development, and aging across the lifespan. In this article, I review epigenetic clocks, especially as they relate to key theoretical and applied issues in human biology. I first provide an overview of how epigenetic clocks are constructed and what we know about them. I then discuss emerging applications of particular relevance to human biologists-those related to reproduction, life-history, stress, and the environment. I conclude with an overview of the methods necessary for implementing epigenetic clocks, including considerations of study design, sample collection, and technical considerations for processing and interpreting epigenetic clocks. The goal of this review is to highlight some of the ways that epigenetic clocks can inform questions in human biology, and vice versa, and to provide human biologists with the foundational knowledge necessary to successfully incorporate epigenetic clocks into their research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Calen P Ryan
- Department of Anthropology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA
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225
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Hillary RF, Stevenson AJ, McCartney DL, Campbell A, Walker RM, Howard DM, Ritchie CW, Horvath S, Hayward C, McIntosh AM, Porteous DJ, Deary IJ, Evans KL, Marioni RE. Epigenetic measures of ageing predict the prevalence and incidence of leading causes of death and disease burden. Clin Epigenetics 2020; 12:115. [PMID: 32736664 PMCID: PMC7394682 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-020-00905-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Individuals of the same chronological age display different rates of biological ageing. A number of measures of biological age have been proposed which harness age-related changes in DNA methylation profiles. These measures include five 'epigenetic clocks' which provide an index of how much an individual's biological age differs from their chronological age at the time of measurement. The five clocks encompass methylation-based predictors of chronological age (HorvathAge, HannumAge), all-cause mortality (DNAm PhenoAge, DNAm GrimAge) and telomere length (DNAm Telomere Length). A sixth epigenetic measure of ageing differs from these clocks in that it acts as a speedometer providing a single time-point measurement of the pace of an individual's biological ageing. This measure of ageing is termed DunedinPoAm. In this study, we test the association between these six epigenetic measures of ageing and the prevalence and incidence of the leading causes of disease burden and mortality in high-income countries (n ≤ 9537, Generation Scotland: Scottish Family Health Study). RESULTS DNAm GrimAge predicted incidence of clinically diagnosed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), type 2 diabetes and ischemic heart disease after 13 years of follow-up (hazard ratios = 2.22, 1.52 and 1.41, respectively). DunedinPoAm predicted the incidence of COPD and lung cancer (hazard ratios = 2.02 and 1.45, respectively). DNAm PhenoAge predicted incidence of type 2 diabetes (hazard ratio = 1.54). DNAm Telomere Length associated with the incidence of ischemic heart disease (hazard ratio = 0.80). DNAm GrimAge associated with all-cause mortality, the prevalence of COPD and spirometry measures at the study baseline. These associations were present after adjusting for possible confounding risk factors including alcohol consumption, body mass index, deprivation, education and tobacco smoking and surpassed stringent Bonferroni-corrected significance thresholds. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that epigenetic measures of ageing may have utility in clinical settings to complement gold-standard methods for disease assessment and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert F Hillary
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Anna J Stevenson
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Daniel L McCartney
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Archie Campbell
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Rosie M Walker
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK
| | - David M Howard
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, SE5 8AF, UK.,Division of Psychiatry, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4UX, UK
| | - Craig W Ritchie
- Edinburgh Dementia Prevention, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4UX, UK
| | - Steve Horvath
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, 90095-7088, USA.,Department of Biostatistics, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, 90095-1772, USA
| | - Caroline Hayward
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Andrew M McIntosh
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK.,Division of Psychiatry, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4UX, UK
| | - David J Porteous
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Ian J Deary
- Lothian Birth Cohorts, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Kathryn L Evans
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Riccardo E Marioni
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK.
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226
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Justice JN, Kritchevsky SB. Putting epigenetic biomarkers to the test for clinical trials. eLife 2020; 9:58592. [PMID: 32515735 PMCID: PMC7282804 DOI: 10.7554/elife.58592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Reliable biomarkers are needed to test the effectiveness of interventions intended to improve health and extend lifespan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie N Justice
- Internal Medicine Section on Gerontology and Geriatrics, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, United States.,Sticht Center for Healthy Aging and Alzheimer's Prevention, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, United States
| | - Stephen B Kritchevsky
- Internal Medicine Section on Gerontology and Geriatrics, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, United States.,Sticht Center for Healthy Aging and Alzheimer's Prevention, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, United States
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227
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Belsky DW, Caspi A, Arseneault L, Baccarelli A, Corcoran DL, Gao X, Hannon E, Harrington HL, Rasmussen LJH, Houts R, Huffman K, Kraus WE, Kwon D, Mill J, Pieper CF, Prinz JA, Poulton R, Schwartz J, Sugden K, Vokonas P, Williams BS, Moffitt TE. Quantification of the pace of biological aging in humans through a blood test, the DunedinPoAm DNA methylation algorithm. eLife 2020; 9:e54870. [PMID: 32367804 PMCID: PMC7282814 DOI: 10.7554/elife.54870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 214] [Impact Index Per Article: 53.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Biological aging is the gradual, progressive decline in system integrity that occurs with advancing chronological age, causing morbidity and disability. Measurements of the pace of aging are needed as surrogate endpoints in trials of therapies designed to prevent disease by slowing biological aging. We report a blood-DNA-methylation measure that is sensitive to variation in pace of biological aging among individuals born the same year. We first modeled change-over-time in 18 biomarkers tracking organ-system integrity across 12 years of follow-up in n = 954 members of the Dunedin Study born in 1972-1973. Rates of change in each biomarker over ages 26-38 years were composited to form a measure of aging-related decline, termed Pace-of-Aging. Elastic-net regression was used to develop a DNA-methylation predictor of Pace-of-Aging, called DunedinPoAm for Dunedin(P)ace(o)f(A)ging(m)ethylation. Validation analysis in cohort studies and the CALERIE trial provide proof-of-principle for DunedinPoAm as a single-time-point measure of a person's pace of biological aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel W Belsky
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public HealthNew YorkUnited States
- Butler Columbia Aging Center, Columbia University Mailman School of Public HealthNew YorkUnited States
| | - Avshalom Caspi
- Social, Genetic, and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke UniversityDurhamUnited States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of MedicineDurhamUnited States
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke UniversityDurhamUnited States
| | - Louise Arseneault
- Social, Genetic, and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Andrea Baccarelli
- Laboratory of Precision Environmental Health, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia UniversityNew YorkUnited States
| | - David L Corcoran
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke UniversityDurhamUnited States
| | - Xu Gao
- Laboratory of Precision Environmental Health, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia UniversityNew YorkUnited States
| | - Eiliss Hannon
- University of Exeter Medical School, College of Medicine and HealthExeterUnited Kingdom
| | - Hona Lee Harrington
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke UniversityDurhamUnited States
| | - Line JH Rasmussen
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke UniversityDurhamUnited States
- Clinical Research Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital Amager and HvidovreHvidovreDenmark
| | - Renate Houts
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke UniversityDurhamUnited States
| | - Kim Huffman
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke UniversityDurhamUnited States
- Duke University Center for the Study of Aging, Duke UniversityDurhamUnited States
| | - William E Kraus
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke UniversityDurhamUnited States
- Duke University Center for the Study of Aging, Duke UniversityDurhamUnited States
| | - Dayoon Kwon
- Butler Columbia Aging Center, Columbia University Mailman School of Public HealthNew YorkUnited States
| | - Jonathan Mill
- University of Exeter Medical School, College of Medicine and HealthExeterUnited Kingdom
| | - Carl F Pieper
- Duke University Center for the Study of Aging, Duke UniversityDurhamUnited States
- Department of Biostatistics, Duke University School of MedicineDurhamUnited States
| | - Joseph A Prinz
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke UniversityDurhamUnited States
| | - Richie Poulton
- Department of Psychology and Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Research Unit, University of OtagoOtagoNew Zealand
| | - Joel Schwartz
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Harvard TH Chan School of Public HealthBostonUnited States
| | - Karen Sugden
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke UniversityDurhamUnited States
| | - Pantel Vokonas
- Veterans Affairs Normative Aging Study, Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of MedicineBostonUnited States
| | - Benjamin S Williams
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke UniversityDurhamUnited States
| | - Terrie E Moffitt
- Social, Genetic, and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke UniversityDurhamUnited States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of MedicineDurhamUnited States
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke UniversityDurhamUnited States
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