Reversal of epigenetic aging and immunosenescent trends in humans

TLDR

Epigenetic clocks now estimate biological age more accurately than chronological age. The study aims to demonstrate that epigenetic aging can be reversed in humans using four age estimators. The authors employed a thymus‑regeneration protocol that produced immunological improvements, reduced disease‑risk indices, and lowered mean epigenetic age by about 1.5 years after one year of treatment. Epigenetic aging reversal accelerated from −1.6 years/year (0–9 months) to −6.5 years/year (9–12 months), the GrimAge predictor showed a 2‑year decrease in epigenetic versus chronological age that persisted six months after treatment, marking the first report of increased predicted human lifespan via an accessible aging intervention.

Abstract

Abstract Epigenetic “clocks” can now surpass chronological age in accuracy for estimating biological age. Here, we use four such age estimators to show that epigenetic aging can be reversed in humans. Using a protocol intended to regenerate the thymus, we observed protective immunological changes, improved risk indices for many age‐related diseases, and a mean epigenetic age approximately 1.5 years less than baseline after 1 year of treatment (−2.5‐year change compared to no treatment at the end of the study). The rate of epigenetic aging reversal relative to chronological age accelerated from −1.6 year/year from 0–9 month to −6.5 year/year from 9–12 month. The GrimAge predictor of human morbidity and mortality showed a 2‐year decrease in epigenetic vs. chronological age that persisted six months after discontinuing treatment. This is to our knowledge the first report of an increase, based on an epigenetic age estimator, in predicted human lifespan by means of a currently accessible aging intervention.