Everything Epigenetics

This week’s #JournalClubFriday dives deep into the world of epigenetics and its transformative impact on understanding and treating kidney diseases, including chronic kidney disease (CKD). I’m unpacking the study “Unraveling the epigenetic code: human kidney DNA methylation,” which sheds light on how DNA methylation influences renal disease progression. Key findings reveal that nearly 30% of methylation alterations in kidney disease stem from genetic variations, highlighting the potential of Methylation Risk Scores (MRS) in predicting and diagnosing kidney disease more accurately by incorporating genetic and environmental factors🤯 This approach not only refines disease annotations but also enhances predictions of disease development, marking a significant step forward in personalized medicine. Check out my video to explore how these epigenetic insights could lead to better risk stratification and treatment strategies, paving the way for more targeted and effective interventions. #Everythingepigenetics #Epigenetics #Kidneyhealth #Innovativeresearch #Personalizedmedicine

In this week’s journal club Friday I’m going to talk about using epigenetics to predict other biomarkers, in this case proteins. Why does this matter? Well, we aren’t too far from one test to replace them all. If we can predict other outcomes with just epigenetics, we can keep test cost low, sample collection at a minimum, and turn around time as quickly as possible‼️ In a recent study, researchers focused on developing epigenetic scores (EpiScores) for GDF15 and NT-proBNP, key biomarkers linked to cardiovascular and other diseases, using the Generation Scotland cohort of over 16,963 individuals. Their approach utilizes DNA methylation levels to improve disease risk stratification, a step forward in personalized medicine⚕️ They identified 12 DNA methylation sites associated with GDF15 levels and 4 with NT-proBNP, creating EpiScores that accurately predict protein levels and their disease associations. 👉🏽Notably, the GDF15 EpiScores correlated with increased risks of dementia, type 2 diabetes, and ischemic stroke, while NT-proBNP EpiScores were predictive of type 2 diabetes risks. Testing these scores both within the cohort and externally in the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936, they found they not only reflect protein levels but also relate to poorer brain health indicators, underscoring their potential in disease prediction and management. This work suggests that integrating DNA methylation-based markers with traditional risk factors could enhance our understanding of disease mechanisms and progression, offering a more nuanced approach to health risk assessment. It’s a step towards more tailored healthcare, leveraging molecular data for better outcomes. 🧬🧬🧬 #everythingepigenetics

Have you ever had your immune cell subsets tested? And if so, at what cost?💸 If you’ve tested before, you know this includes a REALLY high price tag, and it’s a logistical nightmare😖 What if I told you that you could do the same type of testing by looking at DNA methylation markers with just a couple drops of blood?🩸 👉🏽In the study ‘A meta-analysis of immune-cell fractions at high resolution reveals novel associations with common phenotypes and health outcomes’, researchers analyze over 23,000 blood samples, developing a 12 immune-cell-type DNA methylation (DNAm) reference matrix. This tool accurately quantifies immune-cell fractions, offering insights into the cellular underpinnings of health, aging, and disease🦠 The findings underscore immune-cell variations as biomarkers for disease risk and progression, highlighting age-related shifts indicative of immunosenescence, such as decreased naïve CD8+ T-cells and increased memory T-cells. Significant sex-specific differences in immune-cell fractions were observed, shedding light on gender disparities in disease risks. Additionally, lifestyle factors like smoking🚬 and obesity were linked to specific immune-cell changes, emphasizing the influence of environmental factors on immune composition. The study also associates certain immune-cell fractions with all-cause mortality, suggesting their role in predicting health outcomes. This research advances our understanding of the immune system in health and disease, highlighting DNAm profiling’s potential in personalized medicine and biomarker development. #Epigenetics #ImmunologyResearch #PersonalizedMedicine

Episode 24 - Epigenetic Gestational Age Prediction with Kristine Løkås Haftorn🤰🏽 Determining a newborn’s due date traditionally relies on maternal reports of the last menstrual period and ultrasound scans👶🏻 These conventional approaches can lead to uncertainties, especially when it comes to identifying deviations from normal fetal development that could impact research into the effects of preterm or post-term births on newborns❌ However, researchers, including Kristine Løkås Haftorn, have now developed a more precise method to ascertain newborns’ gestational age through analyzing DNA methylation patterns in blood samples, utilizing machine learning🧬 This is crucial because accurate knowledge of gestational age is fundamental for understanding the risks and implications of preterm and post-term births on infant health. Moreover, the ability to accurately determine gestational age in utero could revolutionize prenatal care by providing deeper insights into fetal development, potentially allowing for earlier identification of developmental issues and more tailored interventions to support healthy pregnancies👩🏻‍🍼 This breakthrough, driven by machine learning’s ability to sift through and interpret complex epigenetic information, underscores the potential of combining technology with biology to enhance our understanding of human development. In this week’s Everything Epigenetics podcast, I speak with Kristine about epigenetic gestational age prediction, how we can use gestational age clocks to look at developmental timing and how this can improve pregnancies, assisted reproductive technology (ART), and more. Kristine is particularly interested in epigenetic patterns in newborns, how these patterns are linked to development in the fetus and child, and how they can be affected by various exposures during pregnancy‼️ #everythingepigenetics #epigenetics —

The study of tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana’s impact on DNA methylation is a pivotal area in epigenetics, as it addresses crucial public health concerns 🏥 These substances are widely consumed and have been linked to serious health conditions, including hypertension—a leading global health challenge. By examining their effects on epigenetics, particularly DNA methylation, we can uncover the biological mechanisms behind these health impacts. This is especially significant in understanding how lifestyle choices and environmental factors influence our genetic makeup and overall health 🧬 For instance, the finding that alcohol and tobacco significantly alter DNA methylation patterns, while marijuana does not (according to this specific paper), provides valuable insights into their distinct biological effects. This knowledge is crucial in developing targeted interventions and preventive measures for diseases associated with these substances, such as hypertension and other cardiovascular and neurological disorders 🧠❤️ Moreover, this research enhances our understanding of epigenetics as a key player in health and disease, underscoring the importance of lifestyle choices in our overall well-being. This study is a vital contribution to the field, highlighting the significant role of epigenetics in public health and the need for further research in this area 📚 #everythingepigenetics #epigenetics

Research unveils a sophisticated interplay between lifestyle choices and genetic blueprints in dictating the pace of our biological aging🕰️🔬 The study shows how practices like yoga, prioritizing quality sleep, and engaging in higher education are not just beneficial for the mind and body, but also pivotal in decelerating the epigenetic clock🧘‍♂️💤🎓 Additionally, dietary choices emerge as key players: reducing meat intake and incorporating coffee into our routines align with marked decreases in epigenetic aging markers☕️🥦 This study also shines a light on the genetic underpinnings of aging, particularly highlighting the significant role of the SOCS2 gene variant. This discovery bridges our lifestyle choices with our genetic predispositions, offering a nuanced understanding of aging🧩🔍 This comprehensive study not only enhances our knowledge of the aging process but also offers practical implications. It suggests that by making conscious lifestyle choices, we might influence our biological age, potentially extending our healthspan and warding off age-related diseases🚴‍♀️🍏💡 #everythingepigenetics #epigenetics

🧬Episode 23: Causal Epigenetic Age Uncouples Damage and Adaptation with Kejun (Albert) Ying Machine learning models that use DNA markers can estimate the age of biological samples. However, understanding why these markers change with age is challenging because it’s hard to prove that these changes cause aging-related traits. In this week’s Everything Epigenetics podcast, I speak with Kejun Ying who uses large datasets to find specific DNA markers that directly influence aging traits‼️ We explore his recently published study which found casual CpGs that speed up aging and others that protect against it. Kejun and colleagues created two new models, DamAge and AdaptAge, to measure harmful and beneficial changes related to aging. DamAge, which indicates negative aging effects, is linked to several health risks, including higher chances of dying. AdaptAge, on the other hand, shows positive aging adaptations. 👉🏽Interestingly, only the negative changes seen in DamAge can be reversed by a process that makes aged cells young again. The research findings provide a detailed understanding of the DNA markers that truly affect lifespan and overall health as we age🧫🔬🧪 This helps us develop more accurate aging biomarkers and evaluate treatments aimed at reversing aging, improving longevity, and understanding events that speed up the aging process. #everythingepigenetics #epigenetics

🌱🍖 Dive into the groundbreaking findings of the Twins Nutrition Study (TwiNS) in my latest Journal Club Friday! This innovative study compared the effects of vegan versus omnivorous diets on aging. 🧬 By analyzing DNA methylation in blood samples from twin pairs over an 8-week diet period, researchers unveiled significant insights: 1️⃣ Vegan diets showed a notable decrease in epigenetic age acceleration, suggesting potential anti-aging benefits. 🌿⏳ 2️⃣ Omnivorous diets did not exhibit similar changes, highlighting a distinct epigenetic impact between the two diets. 🍖🔄 3️⃣ The study identified specific systems, including inflammation and metabolic processes, where vegan diets might influence aging. 🧪🔍 This research provides a deeper understanding of how our dietary choices can affect our biological aging process. Whether you’re a plant-based enthusiast or a meat lover, these insights are a food for thought on the journey to healthy aging. 🥦🥩 These groundbreaking findings underscore the potential of epigenetic clocks as real-time biomarkers, offering valuable insights into physiological changes, exemplified by weight loss in this study. However, it is crucial to stress that a vegan diet lacks essential nutrients for optimal epigenetic processes. Without proper supplementation, there’s a risk of long-term damage. 👩🏽‍🔬As scientists, it is our duty to communicate this message clearly and emphatically, ensuring the public is well-informed about the nuances of dietary choices for their overall health. #Epigenetics #NutritionScience #VeganVsOmnivore #AgingResearch #TwiNS

How did Dr. Randy Jirtle identify imprintome regulatory regions? Remember, to be an imprintome control region, it has to be the same in every cell of the body. It has to be consistent across all cell types in the body but DIFFERENT in the germline - one methylated and one unmethylated. Unpack what this means in my latest podcast episode. In this episode, you’ll also learn about: 🧬Jirtle’s seminal 2003 Agouti mouse study 🧬The concept of imprinting and epigenetics 🧬The evolutionary biology approach 🧬How environmental and nutritional exposures can determine phenotypes through epigenetic regulation 🧬The profound impact that Jirtle had on the scientific community with his research 🧬How to identify imprintome regulatory regions in the germline 🧬The discovery of the full imprintome control regions in July 2022 🧬How to measure the imprintome with the imprintome array How the imprintome is starting to connect the dots to certain 🧬disease risks 🧬Future research on imprtinting and human evolution 🧬Challenges in researching the imprintome 🧬Pragmatic applications of the imprintome 🧬Excitement in current research #everythingepigenetics #epigenetics

🚨🧬 New Research Alert! A recent study by the National Institutes of Health reveals that women treated for breast cancer may experience accelerated biological aging compared to those who remain cancer-free. 🩺⏳ Notably, radiation therapy was linked to the most significant aging effect, while surgery showed no such association. 🤔 This suggests that the cancer itself may not be the culprit for increased aging. ⏰Biological age was measured in 417 women over an eight-year span using three epigenetic clocks. GrimAge, PhenoAge, and DunedinPACE consistently indicated faster aging in women with breast cancer, regardless of race. Interestingly, aging rates varied with different treatments. While radiation therapy was strongly linked to biological aging, the researchers underscored the importance of not abandoning it. ☢️Radiation remains a potent breast cancer treatment, and minimizing exposure is crucial. As always, if faced with a breast cancer diagnosis, discuss all treatment options with your doctor🤝 Knowledge empowers choices for the 4 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S. 🇺🇸💖 #Everythingepigenetics #Epigenetics #BreastCancerResearch #AgingGracefully #EmpoweredChoices

‼️Episode 22 - The Importance of the Imprintome with Dr. Randy Jirtle The idea💡of the impintome is still foreign to many people. So, let’s start with a simple explanation. 🧬For the majority of genes, we inherit two functional copies—one from our mother🤰 and one from our father👨 However, imprinted genes follow a different pattern, as we inherit only one functional copy. Depending on the specific gene, either the copy from our mother or our father undergoes epigenetic silencing. This silencing process typically involves the addition of methyl groups during the formation of eggs🥚or sperm. The epigenetic modifications on imprinted genes typically stay put throughout the organism’s lifespan but undergo a reset during the formation of eggs and sperm. 🤫Regardless of their origin, certain genes are consistently silenced in eggs, while others are consistently silenced in sperm. Soon after egg and sperm meet, most of the epigenetic tags that activate and silence genes are stripped from the DNA. However, in mammals, imprinted genes keep their epigenetic tags. Imprinted genes begin the process of development with epigenetic tags in place. Imprinted genes are not the only genes that bypass epigenetic reprogramming in the early embryo. 📚Studying imprinting may help researchers understand how other genes make it through reprogramming without losing their epigenetic tags. – The field of epigenetics and the imprintome has grown exponentially in the past decade, largely fueled by Randy Jirtle’s groundbreaking research. Picture this: his 2003 study on how nutrition impacts gene regulation is the single most talked-about paper in the history of science. Jirtle’s discoveries have been a game-changer, unraveling secrets about human health and the roots of diseases🦠 👉🏽In this week’s Everything Epigenetics podcast, I dive into a captivating conversation with Dr. Jirtle. We explore the fascinating intricacies of his research,

Is there a causal effect in utero on epigenetic aging?🧬🕜 ‼️Dr. Lauren Schmitz findings suggest that adverse maternal environments early in human gestation could result in persistent changes in epigenetic information in adulthood, particularly with respect to the regulation of metabolic, immune, or neurological pathways. 🎧Check out my recent podcast episode with her to learn more! 🔗Link in bio #everytbingepigenetics #epigenetics

Proud is an under statement! The amazing @trudiagnosticofficial team has played a huge role in helping solve a mystery people across the world have been following. Check out my interview with @lex18news to learn more🤓 🧬

🔬 Unlocking Epigenetic Secrets in Fit Individuals! 🧬💪🏽 Welcome to my first-ever Journal Club Friday!📚 Every week, I will be diving into the latest in Epigenetics research. This week’s focus: the intriguing relationship between epigenetic aging and the gut microbiome in physically fit men and women🏋🏽‍♀️🏋🏽 We know that epigenetic clocks are crucial for aging insights, but what about the microbiome’s role? Let’s dive in! 👉🏽Why the Microbiome Matters: The gut microbiota🦠plays a crucial role in breaking down nutrients, regulating immune responses, producing essential molecules for metabolism, and generating gases that impact cellular function. To bridge this gap in knowledge, researchers set out to study physically fit individuals. 👉🏽The Study Details: 🏋️‍♂️ Researchers analyzed the gut microbiome of 80 physically fit individuals aged 38 to 84. 📊 They assessed cardiovascular fitness using maximal oxygen uptake, overall muscle strength with maximum handgrip force, and leg strength with a vertical jump. 📏 Body mass index (BMI) was measured using a body composition monitor. 🧪 Various biomarkers, including plasma irisin levels and redox balance, were examined. 💩 Stool samples were collected for microbiome analysis and DNA extraction. 👉🏽The Conclusion: In essence, this study suggests a close link between microbiome alterations, epigenetic age acceleration, and physical fitness levels. It sheds light on how your gut microbiome might hold the key to both aging gracefully and staying physically fit🏃🏽‍♀️💨 👉🏽Key Takeaways: 1️⃣Your gut microbiome is a crucial player in the aging process. 2️⃣Accelerated epigenetic aging may result from changes in the gut microbiome. 3️⃣Pro-inflammatory bacteria are linked to faster epigenetic aging. 4️⃣Fitness enthusiasts display a higher abundance of anti-inflammatory bacteria. Drop your thoughts in the comments below

We often think of aging as something that happens to us as we become older, however, by studying epigenetics, we are learning that aging starts even prior to conception👶🏽 This means that disparities in aging start when we’re developing in the womb! I don’t know about you, but that scares the hell out of me... Listen to me chat about this with Dr. Lauren Schmitz in my latest episode. In this Everything Epigenetics episode, you’ll also learn about: 🧬Lauren’s atypical, windy road into science 🧬The Health and Retirement study 🧬Maternal-fetal epigenetic programming 🧬Why it’s important to look at early-life exposures to adverse events 🧬How we can look at early-life exposures to adverse events through the lens of Epigenetics 🧬In utero exposure to the Great Depression being reflected in late-life epigenetic aging signatures 🧬How early-life investments may help postpone age-related morbidity and mortality and extend healthy life span 🧬Lauren’s study “The Socioeconomic Gradient in Epigenetic Ageing Clocks: Evidence from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis and the Health and Retirement Study” 🧬Another one of Lauren’s study titled: “The Role of Epigenetic Clocks in Explaining Educational Inequalities in Mortality: A Multicohort Study and Meta-analysis” 🧬Why is it important to conduct research on the connection between epigenetic pathways of and the socioeconomic gradient and educational inequalities 🧬Epigenetic ecosystems 🧬Applications of Lauren’s work in the real world #everythingepigenetics #epigenetics #healthdisparities #biologicalage #epigeneticclocks

Episode 21- Integrating Epigenetics into the Social Models of Health Disparities with Dr. Lauren Schmitz🤓 Did you know that the Great Depression—the worst economic downturn in US history—impacted how fast individuals aged biologically decades later according to their epigenetic aging profiles?! Yep… you read that right. Results show that faster epigenetic aging later in life is associated with worse economic conditions, specifically, during the prenatal period, suggesting it may be a sensitive window for the development of later-life disparities in aging. As a result, early-life investments may help postpone age-related morbidity and mortality☠️ In this week’s Everything Epigenetics podcast, Dr. Lauren Schmitz speaks with me about just that. We take a deep dive into several of her studies which focuses on using genetic and epigenetic measures alongside data on the social environment from population-based longitudinal studies and randomized control trials📚 Lauren and I also discuss the methodology she uses for uncovering causal effects from observational data, with the ultimate goal of identifying policy targets that enhance quality of life and extend healthspan👩🏽‍💻 We also chat about her study results that support DNA methylation-based epigenetic aging as a signature of educational inequalities in life expectancy emphasizing the need for policies to address the unequal social distribution of these World Health Organization (WHO) risk factors, as well as, social disadvantages which may contribute additively to faster biological aging. I’m extremely excited and passionate about Lauren’s work myself, as it suggests that epigenetic aging measures may contain additional valuable information that could further our understanding of the causes of social disparities in aging and health span. Lauren is now actively working on assessing measures of biological age in a low-income context, specifically “The Malawi Longitudinal Study

I’ll admit it... It’s hard being on the biochemistry and “test tube”🧪 side of patient care vs. being on the in-person side of patient care in the clinic🏥 This is why I love speaking with my healthcare providers and learning about the positive changes they’re making in their patients’ lives🫶🏽 However, I still strongly believe we need testing to ensure we are improving patient outcomes. That is the end goal! What are your thoughts?💬 #everythingepigenetics #epigenetics

One of the most frequent questions I get is, “Can I test my biological age even if I’m “older”?” The answer is... ABSOLUTELY! The epigenetic biological age clocks are just as predictive in older populations as they are in younger populations. The goal is to start testing as soon as possible and to repeat testing every six months to track change. In this episode of Everything Epigenetics, you will understand how Dr. Drobot uses this testing in his practice along with: 🧬Dr. Drobot’s journey in medicine 🧬Epigenetics being an integral piece of how Dr. Drobot practices Biological Medicine today 🧬The importance of longitudinal testing 🧬What it means to practice vs. pay for longevity 🧬Biological age in terms of environmental debits and credits 🧬How epigenetic testing has revolutionized Dr. Drobot’s practice 🧬How innovations in biological medicine optimize methylation and therefore biological aging 🧬Multiple case studies from Dr. Drobot’s practice 🧬Resonate breath rate 🧬My WHOOP journey 🧬How epigenetic testing can empower those who are say 40, 50 or even 60 to take charge of preventing cognitive decline disease processes 🧬The newest innovations Dr. Drobot is seeing in the longevity space and utilizing in his practice #everythingepigenetics #epigenetics #drdrobot #biomedical #biologicalage #dna #dnamethylation #cpg #longevity #biologicalaging #methylation #optimize

What EXACTLY is GrimAge (the death predictor DNAm biological age clock) measuring?☠️🕰️ You’re going to have to listen to my latest podcast for the full answer ;) However, when Dr. Toinet’s team delved into the components of biological age clocks, they believe that the GrimAge performed particularly well (more precise) in her study because of the high prevalence of smoking and alcohol consumption in the cohort of interest. Why does this matter⁉️ Well, because the GrimAge algorithm incorporates lifestyle aspects. In other words, it is trained based on DNA methylation components that reflect lifetime exposure to smoke🚬 More specifically, it is trained on ten DNAm based surrogates for smoking pack-years. ... and we know that lifestyle factors such as smoking and alcohol consumption are significantly associated with age acceleration measures of GrimAge💨🍻 It’s VERY important to understand how these clocks are trained and what they are really predicting. #everythingepigenetics #epigenetics #grimage #biologicalageclocks #dnam #dnamethylation

It turns out your grandmother was probably right... What do I mean by this⁉️ Check out my latest episode with Dr. Toinét Cronjé to learn more😉 In this episode of Everything Epigenetics, you’ll learn about: 🧬Toinét’s unique background 🧬OMIC epidemiology 🧬What epigenetics does for epidemiology 🧬The importance of biobanks 🧬What we can tell you about yourself when investigating the epigenome using an archived sample from a biobank 🧬Why it’s important to research understudied populations 🧬What we can learn from low and middle income countries 🧬What the research community is missing out on by not studying these groups 🧬Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) 🧬The association between DNA methylation and NCDs 🧬The urban-rural divide which provides a unique opportunity to investigate the effect of the combined presence of multiple forms of environmental exposure on DNAm and the related increase in disease risk 🧬Toinét’s study on “Comparison of DNA methylation clocks in black South African men” 🧬Epigenetic age acceleration in the cardiometabolic disease among migrant and non-migrant African populations 🧬An editorial Toinét wrote in late November 2021 titled “Could unlocking methylation-based blood cell counts revolutionize epidemiology?” 🧬The current challenges in epigenetics that should be addressed in future work 🧬Toinét’s next epigenetic-based project #everythingepigenetics #epigenetics #epidemiology #biologicalage #epigeneticclocks #inflammation