Meta-analysis of DNA methylation aging signatures across 17 human tissues
A meta-analysis of over 15,000 human methylation profiles from 17 tissues reports both conserved and tissue-specific epigenetic aging signatures, including shifts in methylation levels, greater methylation variability and growing molecular disorder. [1]
Automatic summary · not editorially reviewed
The key findings
A meta-analysis covered more than 15,000 human methylation profiles across 17 tissues and reported conserved and tissue-specific epigenetic aging signatures. [1]
The analysis reported systemic shifts in methylation levels, increases in methylation variability and growing molecular disorder across tissues. [1]
A more modifiable gene cluster was linked to NAD metabolism, which the authors describe as supporting NAD as a potential therapeutic target in aging. [1]
The source at a glance
- Study type / format
- Meta-analysis (abstract)
- Population / context
- More than 15,000 human methylation profiles from 17 tissues.
- Summary based on
- Study abstract
- Original publication
- June 26, 2026
Methylation profiles from 17 tissues analyzed
The abstract describes a meta-analysis of more than 15,000 human methylation profiles spanning 17 tissues. It states that epigenetic changes, especially DNA methylation, accumulate with age across tissues, but whether these changes follow consistent patterns across organs was poorly understood. The analysis reports both conserved and tissue-specific epigenetic signatures of aging.
Supporting source [1]
Systemic shifts and a modifiable NAD-linked cluster
The authors report systemic shifts in methylation levels, increases in methylation variability and growing molecular disorder across tissues. Network analysis revealed tightly connected gene clusters that were not modified by beneficial interventions, alongside a more modifiable cluster linked to NAD metabolism; the authors describe this as supporting NAD as a potential therapeutic target in aging. A gene encoding the cell-adhesion protein PCDHGA1 emerged as a conserved hub across tissues, implicating cell-to-cell communication pathways.
Supporting source [1]
Atlas proposed as resource, not a clinical tool
The authors present their methylation atlas as a resource for dissecting the molecular basis of human aging and for identifying potential biomarkers and translational therapies. These are proposed uses; the abstract does not report a validated biomarker, a clinical test or a treatment. The NAD link and the PCDHGA1 hub are described as findings and implications, not as demonstrated interventions or causal mechanisms.
Supporting source [1]
How to interpret this
This is based on the abstract only; the full text was not reviewed. The abstract does not report sample characteristics, how tissues or profiles were selected, statistical details or effect sizes. The NAD and PCDHGA1 findings are described as associations and potential implications, not as demonstrated causal mechanisms or treatments.
Based on the study abstract; the full paper, tables and supplementary data were not reviewed.
Source & supporting passages
Jacques M, Seale K, Voisin S, Lysenko A, Grolaux R, Jones-Freeman B, Lamon S, Abeysooriya M, Levinger I, Bauer C, Sharples AP, Heikkinen A, Sillanpaa E, Ollikainen M, Smith C, Broatch JR, Zarekookandeh N, Gillberg L, Blom I, Poganik JR, Moqri M, Gladyshev VN, Taper M, Malecki C, Lal S, Saurat N, Horvath S, Teschendorff A, Eynon N. · europepmc.org · June 26, 2026