Scientists have discovered that analyzing 'barcodes' written in human DNA can reveal how blood ages, potentially leading to early detection of blood-related diseases like leukemia and paving the way for rejuvenation therapies without genetic modifications. The study, published in the journal Nature in May 2025, highlights how blood stem cells lose diversity as they age, favoring clones linked to chronic inflammation, a change typically seen after age 60.
Key Findings
Researchers can now identify these aging cells, potentially improving the body's resilience. The new technique, called EPI-Clone, allows for direct study of rejuvenation therapies in humans. Doctors could assess blood's clonal behavior for early disease detection, monitoring those who may need preventative care. This approach uses naturally occurring somatic epimutations as stable barcodes, enabling high-throughput lineage tracing without genetic engineering.
Implications for Future Treatments
The discovery offers hope for early intervention in cancers, particularly blood cancers, by identifying individuals at risk. Furthermore, dominant clones often produce more myeloid cells, which skew the immune system toward inflammation, suggesting that age-related clonal selection actively shapes systemic immune decline. This method could also help in identifying preclinical shifts before functional decline becomes apparent, opening avenues for therapies that slow down or reverse aging.