A research paper published in the journal Aging on December 29, 2024, presents a novel method to measure biological aging at the level of individual cell types. Conducted by researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Monash University, this study aims to enhance the understanding of aging processes in relation to diseases such as Alzheimer's and liver pathologies.
Biological age, which may differ from chronological age, is typically estimated using epigenetic clocks that analyze DNA methylation patterns. Traditional methods assess all cells from a tissue simultaneously, complicating the understanding of aging in diverse cell types.
To overcome this limitation, researchers Huige Tong and colleagues analyzed DNA samples from human brain and liver tissues to create a new analytical tool. By employing advanced computer models, they examined DNA methylation changes in samples from both healthy and diseased individuals. This allowed for the isolation of biological aging within specific cell types.
The findings indicate that certain brain cells, particularly neurons and glia, exhibit accelerated aging in Alzheimer's patients, emphasizing the importance of specific cell types in neurodegeneration. In liver diseases, the aging clock for liver cells demonstrated signs of accelerated aging, positioning it as a more effective diagnostic tool than previous methods.
According to the study, “We find that neuron and glia specific clocks display biological age acceleration in Alzheimer's Disease with the effect being strongest for glia in the temporal lobe.” This innovative approach differentiates the aging processes within individual cell types from overall tissue composition changes, providing crucial insights for targeted therapies.
The research underscores the significance of precision in aging studies, paving the way for advancements in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of age-related diseases.