Abstract
Research in the field of gerontology has traditionally focused on later life stages. There is increasing evidence, however, that both the rate of age-related functional decline and the later-life health status can be programmed during early development. The central role of epigenetic mechanisms (methylation of DNA, histone modifications and regulation by non-coding RNAs) in mediating these long-term effects has been elucidated. Both rate and direction of age-associated change of epigenetic patterns (“epigenetic drift”) were shown to be largely dependent on early-life environmental conditions. Inter-individual divergences in epigenetic profiles may arise following the stochastic errors in maintaining epigenetic marks, but they may also be adaptively mediated by specific environmental cues. Recent cohort studies indicate that ticking rate of epigenetic clock, estimated by a DNA methylation-based methods, may be developmentally adjusted, and that individual’s discrepancies among epigenetic and chronological age would be likely programmed early in development. In this Perspective article, recent findings suggesting the importance of early-life determinants for life-course dynamics of epigenetic drift are summarized and discussed.
Highlights
Genetic and lifestyle factors have been traditionally considered as main determinants of aging rate and longevity
An interaction between environmental conditions and age-related methylation divergence was confirmed in a longitudinal, genome-scale analysis of DNA methylation in MZ twins from birth to 18 months (Martino et al, 2013). These findings collectively suggest that divergence in epigenetic profiles can occur via the stochastic epigenetic drift caused, e.g., by errors in the maintenance of DNA methylation patterns throughout DNA replication cycles, but may be mediated directly by specific environmental cues (Cortessis et al, 2012; Cunliffe, 2015)
Since human data are scarce owing to restricted access to suitable biological materials, the most direct evidence for the role of epigenetic regulation in developmental programming of aging and longevity phenotypes came from animal models
Summary
Received: 01 October 2018 Accepted: 09 November 2018 Published: 22 November 2018. Citation: Vaiserman A (2018) Developmental Tuning of Epigenetic Clock. The central role of epigenetic mechanisms (methylation of DNA, histone modifications and regulation by non-coding RNAs) in mediating these long-term effects has been elucidated. Both rate and direction of age-associated change of epigenetic patterns (“epigenetic drift”) were shown to be largely dependent on early-life environmental conditions. Recent cohort studies indicate that ticking rate of epigenetic clock, estimated by a DNA methylation-based methods, may be developmentally adjusted, and that individual’s discrepancies among epigenetic and chronological age would be likely programmed early in development.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
