Scientists at Harvard are turning the tide in the battle against aging with groundbreaking research that may soon allow us to measure, and perhaps even control, the biological clocks that dictate our bodies' lifespans. In a recent publication in Nature Aging, researchers from Brigham and Women’s Hospital, affiliated with Harvard University, unveiled a novel epigenetic clock.
According to the Harvard Gazette, this new machine-learning model has the unique capability to differentiate DNA changes that actively drive aging from those that just happen alongside it, providing valuable insights into the aging process. Lead author Vadim Gladyshev, a principal investigator at BWH, said, “Our clocks distinguish between changes that accelerate and counteract aging to predict biological age and assess the efficacy of aging interventions.”
The discovery hinges on DNA methylation, a process that alters our genetic blueprint and affects gene function. Previous epigenetic clocks have used methylation patterns to estimate our cells' biological age, independent of actual years lived, but didn't specify causative factors. In a statement obtained by the Harvard Gazette, Gladyshev explained the breakthrough his team achieved by being able to discern the specific genetic variations that speed up— or slow down—the aging process.
The Harvard team relied on an extensive genetic dataset and the work of Kejun (Albert) Ying, a graduate student in the Gladyshev lab, employing a method known as epigenome-wide Mendelian Randomization to sift through 20,509 CpG sites linked to aging. The clocks developed include CausAge, which predicts biological age based on causal DNA factors; DamAge, accounting for only damaging changes; and AdaptAge, focusing on adaptive, protective alterations. Blood samples from over 7,000 individuals were analyzed to fine-tune this innovative model. Furthermore, validation studies revealed DamAge's correlation with mortality and AdaptAge's link to increased lifespan—suggesting that DNA changes indeed have tangible effects on aging and longevity.
The potential of these clocks extends to evaluating anti-aging treatments. Through reprogramming cells to a younger state, researchers observed a decrease in DamAge, signifying a reversal in the biological wear-and-tear associated with aging, while AdaptAge remained more elusive in its patterns. Moreover, this epigenetic mapping may also pinpoint why chronic conditions and lifestyle choices, such as smoking, accelerate the aging process, providing crucial information for those seeking to extend their health span.
"Aging is a complex process, and we still do not know what interventions against it actually work," Gladyshev told the Harvard Gazette. His team's research represents a significant leap in understanding aging, equipping scientists with a far more precise tool for measuring biological age and testing longevity-enhancing treatments. Considering this advancement could lead to targeted strategies in combating age-related diseases and ultimately improving human lifespan.
Financial backing for this project came from various sources, including the National Institute on Aging, Impetus grants, and the Michael Antonov Foundation. As advancements continue, researchers Ying and Gladyshev have also filed a patent application related to this pioneering work.
