The ovary is an essential organ for female fertility, and its age-dependent decline in function is a major cause of infertility. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying ovarian aging are still not well understood, particularly in higher vertebrates like primates. In this study, researchers used spatiotemporal transcriptomics to analyze the gene expression patterns in young and aged primate ovaries.
Key findings from the study include:
The study developed and validated a new DNA methylation clock (iCAS-DNAmAge) and multi-modal aging clocks specifically for Chinese cohorts. These clocks provide accurate estimates of chronological age and are associated with various health and aging-related factors. The iCAS-DNAmAge clock outperformed existing DNA methylation clocks, demonstrating high predictive accuracy and robustness. Multi-modal aging clocks, derived from a combination of biological datasets, offer comprehensive insights into the aging process. The findings enhance the understanding of DNA methylation's role in aging and present valuable tools for assessing biological age and informing aging intervention strategies. This research paves the way for further exploration of DNA methylation clocks in different ethnic populations and their application in personalized medicine and aging research. The work entitled “ DNA methylation clocks for estimating biological age in Chinese cohorts ” was published on Protein & Cell (published on Mar. 14, 2024).
Protein & Cell
Experimental study
Human tissue samples
DNA methylation clocks for estimating biological age in Chinese cohorts
14-Mar-2024