Conserved epigenetic hallmarks of T-cell aging during immunity and malignancy
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ABSTRACT: Chronological aging correlates with epigenetic modifications at specific loci, calibrated to species lifespan. Such ‘epigenetic clocks’ appear conserved among mammals, but whether they are cell-autonomous and restricted by maximal organismal lifespan remains unknown. We used a multi-lifetime murine model of repeat vaccination and memory T cell transplantation to test whether epigenetic aging tracks with cellular replication, and if such clocks continue ‘counting’ beyond species lifespan. We found that memory T cell epigenetic clocks tick independently of host age and continue through four lifetimes. Instead of recording chronological time, T cells recorded proliferative experience through modification of cell cycle regulatory genes. Applying this epigenetic profile across a range of human T cell contexts, we found that naïve T cells appeared ‘young’ regardless of organism age, while in pediatric patients, T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) appeared to have epigenetically aged for up to 200 years. Thus, T cell epigenetic clocks measure replicative history and can continue to accumulate well-beyond organismal lifespan.
ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus
PROVIDER: GSE263941 | GEO | 2024/05/06
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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