Articles tagged with Epigenetics
Rice University chemist Han Xiao has won a $3.2 million research grant from the National Cancer Institute to develop an epigenetic inhibitor targeting bone metastasis. The drug, based on existing bisphosphonates, aims to prevent cancer cells from spreading to other organs without affecting normal tissues.
Scientists discovered epigenetic signatures in immune cells that allow for rapid activation of key genes, enabling quick recall of antigens. This rearrangement is accompanied by changes in the 3D distribution of DNA in the nucleus, which affects gene expression and could lead to new therapies for autoimmune diseases.
Professor Coppedè's appointment aims to enhance the journal's focus on cutting-edge genomics research, covering topics like genome sequencing and functional genomics. He will lead Current Genomics to greater success by staying at the forefront of genomics discoveries and advancements.
A recent study suggests that Black Americans experience accelerated biological aging compared to White Americans, primarily due to lower socioeconomic status and exposure to air pollution. The findings highlight the significant impact of environmental factors on epigenetic aging disparities between racial groups.
Researchers used proteomics and small RNA sequencing to analyze 103 human blood plasma samples, identifying 21 proteins and 315 small RNAs associated with aging. Combining protein and miRNA data improved age predictions (R2 = 0.70 ± 0.01), suggesting a broader range of age-related physiological changes.
A new study from the Van Andel Research Institute reveals that loss of two key 'protector' proteins, TET and RYBP, transforms healthy lung cells into cancerous ones through epigenetic changes. The research found that deficiency of these proteins leads to widespread aberrant methylation and malignant transformation.
A new study by CNIC researchers reveals that low-grade systemic inflammation triggered by subclinical atherosclerosis accelerates epigenetic aging in otherwise healthy young individuals. The study found a strong association between atherosclerosis progression and accelerated biological age, with potential reversibility through lifestyl...
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open explores the association between adverse childhood experiences and epigenetic aging in midlife. The research found that early life experiences can accelerate biological aging, which may contribute to various health outcomes in middle-age adults.
Researchers developed a new biological age indicator, DNAmFitAge, that incorporates physical fitness parameters, showing a correlation with lower mortality risk, coronary heart disease risk reduction, and improved disease-free status in physically fit individuals.
A new study found that living in urban environments with material and social inequities is associated with premature biological aging. Depressive symptoms also accelerate epigenetic age acceleration, regardless of neighborhood deprivation. The researchers used DNA methylation-based estimators to examine aging at the cellular level and ...
A study by Dr. Manel Esteller's team has identified a key epigenetic alteration in liver cancer that makes tumors more vulnerable to a specific class of anticancer drugs. This discovery may lead to improved treatment options for patients with liver cancer, particularly those with intact NSUN7 gene function.
A study reveals a unique epigenetic biotimer mechanism controlling floral meristem termination and stamen development in Arabidopsis thaliana. The team discovered that AGAMOUS serves as a master conductor orchestrating gene expression through cell cycle-coupled H3K27me3 dilution.
Research found that children of obese or diabetic mothers developed epigenetic alterations that predisposed them to diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular problems. Longitudinal follow-up revealed persistent effects on health status and metabolic condition beyond childhood.
Researchers from the ALFA Score Consortium explore how nutrition and physical exercise can positively impact the aging process by modifying epigenetic changes. They find that healthy aging is associated with more tightly condensed chromatin, fewer histone post-translational modifications, and greater regulation by non-coding RNAs.
A new study reveals a shared molecular response to nanoparticles, linking immune activation and particulate matter exposure. The findings propose a solution to the 'one-chemical-one-signature' problem in chemical safety assessment.
A recent study published in Cell Metabolism found that biological age increases with stress from surgery, pregnancy, and severe COVID-19, but can be reversed upon recovery. The study used 'biological clocks' to measure the health of cells and tissue, revealing a dynamic relationship between stress and biological aging.
A study found that biological age in humans and mice increases rapidly in response to diverse forms of stress, only to reverse after recovery. The researchers used DNA methylation clocks to measure changes in biological age, revealing transient changes in response to stressful stimuli.
A study by Brigham researchers reveals that childhood trauma and biological sex are associated with epigenetic changes in functional movement/conversion disorder. Female patients and those with an history of childhood trauma show distinct profiles of epigenetic changes linked to this condition.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University discovered how histone H3 controls cell specialization in worms, offering insights into cell differentiation and potential links to diseases. The study used CRISPR gene-editing technique to track the role of histones in development.
A new case series study found that an 8-week methylation-supportive diet and lifestyle program reduced biological age by 4.60 years, with five of six participants exhibiting significant age reversal. The study suggests that this intervention may favorably influence biological age in both sexes.
Researchers found that severe herpesvirus infections can strongly activate host cellular immunity, leading to a therapeutic effect on refractory adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma. This activation may play an important role in the survival of patients with this intractable disease.
Researchers found 270 distinct differentially methylated regions (DMRs) in AD brains compared to normal controls, validating their key findings using an independent cohort. The study offers a novel approach to investigating the relationship between DNA methylation and gene/protein expression.
A recent study found that metformin users had distinct DNA methylation profiles compared to non-users, potentially revealing its role in longevity. The research identified several pathways related to delirium and aging, highlighting the need for further investigation into metformin's mechanism of action.
A recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation found that PAX5 is strongly associated with impaired insulin secretion in type 2 diabetes. The research team identified 94 previously known genes and discovered many new genes differently expressed in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
Researchers examined three epigenetic age acceleration measurements and found inverse associations with lung cancer risk in men and younger participants. However, these findings did not support a positive association between epigenetic age measures and lung cancer risk in the study.
Researchers at Scripps Research found that a 'poisoned' form of the DNA methyltransferase 3B protein can promote cancer growth by allowing cancer-causing genes to turn on. A new drug candidate, DBIC, was developed to revert the protein to its normal form, preventing tumor formation in mice with colon cancer.
Researchers at Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf developed a new strategy to increase target molecules for radionuclide therapy in pheochromocytoma tumors, delaying tumor growth. The combination of valproic acid and decitabine prior to therapy doubled the radiation dose absorbed by the tumor.
Researchers at NYU Langone Health and the University of Toronto have developed a new AI tool called ZFDesign, which enables customizable protein editing for treating genetic diseases. The tool promises to accelerate gene therapy development on a large scale, offering a potentially safer alternative to CRISPR.
A new study finds epigenetic aging is associated with aberrant neural oscillatory dynamics serving visuospatial processing in people with HIV. Participants showed accelerated biological age and different brain activity patterns compared to controls, suggesting a link between biological aging and neural function in PWH.
A 16-year longitudinal study found associations between DNA methylation-based measures and neuropsychologically-validated cognitive decline in midlife. The results suggest that these measures may serve as biomarkers for a molecular aging mechanism, potentially identifying individuals at risk of cognitive impairment and dementia.
Researchers developed a new epigenetic biomarker, GrimAge version 2, which leverages two DNAm-based estimators of plasma proteins to predict mortality risk. The study found that GrimAge 2 outperforms existing clinical biomarkers in predicting mortality across multiple racial/ethnic groups and associations with age-related conditions.
The study reveals that SETD1A overexpression is associated with poorer disease-free survival in pancreatic cancer patients. Artificially cultured cells showed increased cell growth and migration when SETD1A levels were overexpressed, while knocking down SETD1A expression led to decreased RUVBL1 gene expression.
Researchers describe results using cladribine-based combination epigenetic and immunotherapy in MCL, achieving an increased overall survival greater than 40 months with durable remissions without relapse for longer than 5 years. The approach is promising in the treatment of MCL and potentially other previously treatment-refractory canc...
Researchers at Florida State University have found that aspartame, a common artificial sweetener, can cause anxiety-like behavior in mice. The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, suggests that aspartame's effects extend up to two generations from exposure, affecting male mice and their offspring.
Research found that male rats exposed to ifosfamide during adolescence had offspring and grand-offspring with increased incidence of diseases, including kidney and testis problems. The study's epigenetic analysis revealed changes passed down through sperm and ova, indicating a potential risk for future generations.
A research team led by Ivano Amelio found that the protein p53 acts as a key to maintaining genomic stability, preventing cancer-promoting mutations. Without p53, cells become more aggressive and prone to acquire genomic instability.
Scientists have discovered that leukemia cells can change their DNA read-out to evade treatment, making them harder to treat. The study identified key genetic changes that allow cancer cells to survive and relapse.
Researchers found that centenarians have a lower epigenetic age than expected, suggesting slowed biological aging. The study used four epigenetic clocks based on small CpG sites to reveal these differences.
A recent study published in The Journals of Gerontology Series A found that men are biologically older than women due to factors such as smoking and body size. Despite the initial sex difference, the gap between men and women has narrowed in recent decades.
A new epigenetics drug, tazemetostat, has been found to stop bladder cancer growth by activating the immune system, not just inhibiting tumors. The drug targets the EZH2 gene and is being tested in clinical trials for late-stage bladder cancer.
Researchers have developed a model of how human embryos are formed, revealing that genes are switched on almost immediately after fertilization. This discovery may also shed light on the origins of cancer, which is often diagnosed at an advanced stage.
Researchers used single-cell gene expression analysis to study DNA methylation's impact on cell fate. They found that maintaining correct DNA methylation suppresses past and alternative cell identities, while removal of methylation allows certain cell types to form.
A new study by UC Santa Cruz researchers demonstrates 'transgenerational epigenetic inheritance,' where epigenetic marks are transmitted from parents to offspring and grandoffspring. This can lead to altered gene expression patterns in tissues, affecting health and development.
Researchers identify two distinct types of obesity with physiological and molecular differences that may impact health, disease, and treatment response. The study reveals new insights into the link between insulin and obesity, as well as the role of epigenetics in shaping individual body types.
Scientists at the University of Freiburg have successfully characterized epigenetic modifications using nanopore analysis. The technique allows for rapid detection of protein fragments with varying levels of acetylation, enabling more accurate diagnosis and treatment of diseases like cancer.
A study led by UMD researchers found that hibernating big brown bats experience slower epigenetic aging, with their biological clock extending by nearly a year. The study established the link between hibernation and longer lifespans in small mammals.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have discovered that even terminally exhausted T cells retain some capacity to function again. They identified approaches to overcome exhaustion by targeting co-stimulation pathways and reprogramming T cells to be resistant to hypoxia, a common tumor microenvironmental signal.
Leukemia cells exploit metabolic pathways to evade programmed cell death, but researchers identified a weak spot in acute lymphoblastic leukemia that can be targeted with experimental drugs. Inhibiting glutathione metabolism induces ferroptosis, leading to the death of malignant lymphocytes.
Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine found that cells lining the heart direct cardiac muscle growth and outlined a complex mechanism regulating this process. The discovery may help develop better techniques for regenerating heart tissue and prevent congenital heart defects.
A new study introduces a novel epigenetic predictor, PCBrainAge, that captures aging heterogeneity across multiple brain regions. The tool demonstrates stronger associations with AD dementia and pathologic AD compared to existing age predictors.
A study of 1,813 older women found that accelerated biological aging is associated with lower odds of living to be 90 years old and maintaining physical and cognitive function. Slower age acceleration was linked to a reduced risk of mortality.
Researchers found that high temperatures induce epigenetic changes in zebrafish embryos, leading to sex reversal and altering the sex ratio. This study provides insights into the mechanisms behind climate change's impact on species with genotype-by-environment sex determination.
Researchers found reduced levels of Histone Deacetylase I (HDAC I) in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease, linked to deleterious effects of misfolded beta-amyloid and tau proteins. HDAC inhibitors, currently being tested against mild Alzheimer's disease, may be harming patients rather than helping them.
Researchers found associations between perceived discrimination and epigenetic aging in US middle-aged and older adults. Depressive symptoms were identified as a potential mediator in these relationships, particularly among women and White adults.
A UMass Amherst researcher will investigate the link between ambient environmental factors and male fertility, focusing on air pollution and temperature. Her study aims to identify risks associated with these exposures and inform medical and behavioral interventions for men before fertility treatment.
Researchers analyzed stored blood samples from infected men and found significant age acceleration in DNA epigenetic measures and telomere shortening. The study demonstrates HIV's substantial impact on the body's aging processes within two to three years of infection.
Researchers found global redistribution of histone H3 modifications with time, particularly in intergenic regions and near transcription start sites. Caloric restriction diet feeding reduced the extent of changes occurring during the first year of life in these genomic regions.
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes and Stanford University identified key genes linked to T cell exhaustion. They discovered how to block these genes, resulting in healthier T cells and smaller tumors in mice with cancer. This breakthrough may lead to improved immune-based treatments for cancer patients.
Researchers identified an epigenetic signature, EPIMISC, associated with the development of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) after SARS-CoV-2 virus infection. The study found deregulation of epigenetic cellular programming leading to hyperinflammation in tissues.
Researchers found that tendons, not muscles, are the key site where increased mechanosensitivity translates to better running and jumping capabilities. High expression of the calcium-ion channel mechanoreceptor coincided with wider tendons composed of larger collagen fibrils.