New York City, NY – A groundbreaking study conducted by researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine and TruDiagnostic has unveiled a new “Retro-Age” clock that utilizes ancient viral DNA markers to predict biological age. This innovative discovery offers valuable insights into the aging process and has the potential to pave the way for novel anti-aging therapies.
The research team delved into the realm of epigenetics, identifying specific DNA markers associated with retroelements – ancient viral genetic remnants present in human genes. These retroelements were found to serve as highly accurate epigenetic clocks, shedding light on their potential role in the aging process.
Published in the journal Aging Cell, the study revealed that retroelement clocks embedded in the human genome offer unique signals of aging not captured by traditional chronological age clocks. By analyzing DNA methylation patterns on retroelements such as human endogenous retrovirus (HERV) and long interspersed nuclear element (LINEs), researchers developed the Retro-Age clock, providing a new perspective on aging.
Dr. Lishomwa Ndhlovu, the lead author of the study and a distinguished professor at Weill Cornell Medicine, highlighted the significance of the Retro-Age clock in predicting biological age. The findings showed that this innovative clock remained accurate across various human tissues and even extended to other mammalian species, suggesting that retroelement activity plays a fundamental role in aging processes.
Moreover, the study revealed that DNA methylation patterns observed through the Retro-Age clock were not only predictive of age but also responsive to environmental factors. For instance, the researchers found that antiretroviral therapy in individuals living with HIV could influence retroelement activity, impacting the biological aging process.
Dr. Michael Corley, the corresponding author of the study and an assistant professor at Weill Cornell Medicine, emphasized the potential of retroelement clocks in uncovering previously undetected facets of biological aging. Monitoring retroelement activity could provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of anti-aging therapies, health outcomes in aging populations, and the impact of lifestyle changes on biological aging.
Moving forward, the research team plans to explore new therapeutic interventions targeting the epigenetic states of specific retroelements in the human genome. By doing so, they aim to mitigate the biological effects of aging, ultimately improving both health span and lifespan for individuals. The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health, underscoring the significance of this research in advancing our understanding of the aging process.