Mc Auley Mark T, Morgan Amy E
Biomedical Research & Innovation Centre, School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, Manchester, UK.
Yale J Biol Med. 2025 Jun 30;98(2):237-244. doi: 10.59249/BYOI5042. eCollection 2025 Jun.
Investigating aging has become a subject of intense biomedical focus. This has coincided with an unprecedented rise in epigenetic research. DNA methylation (DNAm) is the most comprehensively investigated epigenetic process. Epigenetic clocks are capable of statistically correlating DNAm changes with chronological age. DNAm changes are also proving to be a worthwhile biomarker of age-related disease, while emerging evidence suggests this epigenetic mechanism could be an effective diagnostic tool for disease detection. Such investigative progress has significant implications for health care. In this brief review we examine some recent findings in this area. The overarching aim and scope of the work is to address the relationship between aging, DNAm, and health. We commence by briefly introducing aging. Next, DNAm and age-related disease are discussed. Thirdly, we critically examine epigenetic clocks. We conclude by exploring recent advances in the use of biosensors for measuring DNAm and disease detection.
对衰老的研究已成为生物医学领域的一个重点课题。这与表观遗传学研究前所未有的兴起同时发生。DNA甲基化（DNAm）是研究最为全面的表观遗传过程。表观遗传时钟能够在统计学上关联DNAm变化与实际年龄。DNAm变化也被证明是与年龄相关疾病的一个有价值的生物标志物，而新出现的证据表明这种表观遗传机制可能是疾病检测的一种有效诊断工具。这样的研究进展对医疗保健具有重大意义。在这篇简短的综述中，我们考察了该领域的一些最新发现。这项工作的总体目标和范围是探讨衰老、DNAm与健康之间的关系。我们首先简要介绍衰老。接下来讨论DNAm与年龄相关疾病。第三，我们批判性地审视表观遗传时钟。最后，我们探讨了用于测量DNAm和疾病检测的生物传感器的最新进展。
