A novel framework to build saliva-based DNA methylation biomarkers: Quantifying systemic chronic inflammation as a case study.

ABSTRACT: Accessible and non-invasive biomarkers that measure human ageing processes and the risk of developing age-related disease are paramount in preventative healthcare. Here, we describe a novel framework to train saliva-based DNA methylation (DNAm) biomarkers that are reproducible and biologically interpretable. By leveraging a reliability dataset with replicates across tissues, we demonstrate that it is possible to transfer knowledge from blood DNAm to saliva DNAm data using DNAm proxies of blood proteins (EpiScores). We apply these methods to create a new saliva-based epigenetic clock (InflammAge) that quantifies systemic chronic inflammation (SCI) in humans. Using a large blood DNAm human cohort with linked electronic health records and over 18,000 individuals (Generation Scotland), we demo

SUBMITTER: Schmunk LJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11984670 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature