Researchers have developed a new tool that allows for the assessment of biological age based on gene activity and is linked to lifespan prediction. While the method remains experimental, the authors believe it could aid in the diagnosis of age-related diseases and personalized medicine in the future.
There is often a noticeable difference between a person's biological age and their chronological age. People born in the same year can age at completely different rates. Therefore, scientists have long been searching for ways to more accurately assess the actual state of the body. As reported by Indian Defence Review, a new study published in the journal Nature offers a fundamentally different approach to measuring aging.
Until now, most so-called 'aging clocks' have been based on epigenetic changes — chemical modifications that affect gene activity. However, such methods have not always been highly accurate. The authors of the new study decided to focus not on the DNA itself, but on gene activity.
To create the new tool, researchers analyzed about 11,000 gene expression profiles — transcriptomes — from 25 types of tissues of four mammal species: mice, rats, macaques, and humans. The transcriptome reflects which genes are active in a cell at a specific moment, allowing for an assessment of its functional state.
The scientists tracked which genes are activated or suppressed during the aging process, as well as under the influence of factors that increase or decrease lifespan. Comparing different species allowed them to identify patterns that are likely universal to aging processes.
"These aging clocks represent a potentially new way to measure biological age in greater detail. They can help predict the risk of diseases and mortality, assess treatment effectiveness, and personalize medical care," said senior author Vadim Gladyshev from Harvard University.
One of the most important findings was that molecular signs of aging turned out to be surprisingly similar across different cell types. Regardless of whether the researchers studied immune, stem, liver, or muscle cells, they observed the same basic patterns. For instance, high activity of genes responsible for cell division and tissue repair was associated with slower aging, while increased activity of genes involved in inflammatory processes and cell death indicated accelerated aging.
According to lead author Alexander Tishkovsky, the identified molecular signals not only reflected biological age but were also linked to the remaining lifespan of a person. This means that the new 'genetic clocks' can not only assess the state of the body at the present moment but also help predict risks of premature death.
However, the researchers emphasize that the technology is still in the scientific development stage. For clinical use, it will need to undergo additional testing and confirm its accuracy in further studies.
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