LivAge: a proposed transcriptomic aging clock for mice using liver RNA data
The authors present LivAge, a proposed murine transcriptomic clock built on liver RNA sequencing that predicted age in healthy mice, showed higher transcriptomic age in progeroid models, and estimated lower transcriptomic age under several genetic and dietary interventions. [1]
Automatic summary · not editorially reviewed
The key findings
The authors state that few transcriptomic clocks exist for murine experimental models, limiting their use in aging research and in evaluating possible geroprotective interventions. [1]
The proposed clock uses hepatic RNA-seq data and gave robust age predictions for healthy mice; in progeroid syndromes it showed increased transcriptomic age. [1]
Named genetic and environmental interventions with geroprotective potential reduced the transcriptomic age estimated by the clock. [1]
The source at a glance
- Study type / format
- Abstract describing development and application of a proposed murine transcriptomic aging clock
- Population / context
- Healthy mice and accelerated-aging (progeroid) mouse models, plus mice under named genetic and dietary interventions.
- Summary based on
- Study abstract
- Original publication
- September 1, 2026
Why a mouse liver RNA aging clock was proposed
The abstract notes that rising life expectancy came with recognition of age as the primary risk factor for many diseases, including cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. Interventions slowing biological aging processes could therefore affect prevention or progression of these diseases. To evaluate such geroprotective interventions, the authors argue that aging clocks, especially transcriptomic ones, are relevant because their estimates are biologically interpretable. They state that few transcriptomic clocks exist for murine experimental models, which has limited their use in aging research and in evaluating possible geroprotective interventions.
Supporting source [1]
Liver RNA predictions and progeroid model results
The authors report developing an accurate, accessible and ready-to-use murine transcriptomic clock that gives robust age predictions for healthy mice using hepatic RNA-seq data. Applied to accelerated-aging models, the clock revealed increased transcriptomic age in progeroid syndromes, which the authors present as evidence that it captures aging-related biological processes. These are transcriptomic age estimates, not measurements of lifespan or of disease outcomes.
Supporting source [1]
Lower estimated age under genetic and dietary interventions
The abstract states that well-established interventions with geroprotective potential reduced the transcriptomic age estimated by the clock. Genetic examples named are Snell Dwarf, Ames Dwarf and growth hormone receptor-deficient mice; environmental examples are caloric, protein or methionine restriction and rapamycin supplementation in specific contexts. The authors conclude the clock could be a valuable tool for studying aging biology and for designing and evaluating potential geroprotective interventions. The abstract does not report sample sizes, follow-up, effect sizes or whether these associations reflect causal effects on aging.
Supporting source [1]
How to interpret this
This explainer is based only on the abstract; the full text was not reviewed. The abstract reports no sample sizes, follow-up, effect sizes or causal tests, and the clock is a proposed research tool, not a validated product. Lower estimated transcriptomic age is an association with interventions, not proof of longer lifespan or disease prevention.
Based on the study abstract; the full paper, tables and supplementary data were not reviewed.
Source & supporting passages
Celemín-Capaldi V, Bea G, Roiz-Valle D, Ugalde AP, Bárcena C, Quirós PM, Freije JMP. · europepmc.org · September 1, 2026