Age-related clonal haemopoiesis is associated with increased epigenetic age

Robertson, N. A., Hillary, R. F., McCartney, D. L., Terradas-Terradas, M. , Higham, J., Sproul, D., Deary, I. J., Kirschner, K. , Marioni, R. E. and Chandra, T. (2019) Age-related clonal haemopoiesis is associated with increased epigenetic age. Current Biology, 29(16), R786-R787. (doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2019.07.011) (PMID:31430471)

Abstract

Age-related clonal haemopoiesis (ARCH) in healthy individuals was initially observed through an increased skewing in X-chromosome inactivation [1]. More recently, several groups reported that ARCH is driven by somatic mutations [2], with the most prevalent ARCH mutations being in the DNMT3A and TET2 genes, previously described as drivers of myeloid malignancies. ARCH is associated with an increased risk for haematological cancers [2]. ARCH also confers an increased risk for non-haematological diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, and chronic ischemic heart failure, for which age is a main risk factor 3, 4. Whether ARCH is linked to accelerated ageing has remained unexplored. The most accurate and commonly used tools to measure age acceleration are epigenetic clocks: they are based on age-related methylation differences at specific CpG sites [5]. Deviations from chronological age towards an increased epigenetic age have been associated with increased risk of earlier mortality and age-related morbidities 5, 6. Here we present evidence of accelerated epigenetic age in individuals with ARCH.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Terradas Terradas, Maria and Kirschner, Dr Kristina and Robertson, Mr Neil
• Authors: Robertson, N. A., Hillary, R. F., McCartney, D. L., Terradas-Terradas, M., Higham, J., Sproul, D., Deary, I. J., Kirschner, K., Marioni, R. E., and Chandra, T.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cancer Sciences
• Journal Name: Current Biology
• Publisher: Elsevier (Cell Press)
• ISSN: 0960-9822
• ISSN (Online): 1879-0445
• Published Online: 19 August 2019
• Copyright Holders: Crown Copyright © 2019
• First Published: First published in Current Biology 29(16):R786-R787
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher