Study on the correlation between leukocyte telomere length, methylation levels, and aging based on nanopore sequencing
10.3760/cma.j.issn.0254-9026.2025.06.024
- VernacularTitle:基于纳米孔测序的白细胞端粒长度和甲基化水平与衰老的相关性研究
- Author:
Mengyao LI
1
;
Yifei LI
;
Gaoyuan SUN
;
Long CHENG
;
Pengjun ZHANG
Author Information
1. 北京医院科研处 国家老年医学中心 中国医学科学院老年医学研究院，北京 100730
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
DNA methylation;
Aging;
Telomere;
Nanopore sequencing
- From:
Chinese Journal of Geriatrics
2025;44(6):816-821
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To systematically analyze the trends of leukocyte telomere length and methylation levels across different age groups(31-90 years)from the hospital cohort, using nanopore sequencing and the Telomere Boundary Point(TeloBP)algorithm, and to investigate their correlation with aging.Methods:A total of 120 blood samples were collected from six age groups(31-40 years, 41-50 years, 51-60 years, 61-70 years, 71-80 years, and 81-90 years), with 20 samples per group.Leukocyte DNA was extracted by isolating the white blood cell layer.Nanopore sequencing was employed to measure telomere length and assess methylation levels.The TeloBP algorithm was used to calculate telomere length, and nanopolish software was applied for CpG methylation analysis.Spearman correlation was conducted to evaluate the relationship between telomere length and methylation levels, with visualization and statistical analysis performed using R.Results:Telomere length was found to progressively shorten with age(Spearman R=-0.28, P=0.021), with the trend being most pronounced in the 51-60 age group.Additionally, a potential association was observed between methylation levels and telomere length(Spearman R=0.77, P=0.1).In the 51-60 years age group, methylation levels exhibited greater stability, while the 81-90 years age group showed a broader and more variable distribution.Chromosome-level analysis revealed significant differences in telomere length across chromosomes, with longer telomeres observed on chromosomes 3 and 11, and shorter telomeres on chromosomes 16 and 19. Conclusions:This study reveals the age-related shortening of leukocyte telomere length and observes a potential association between methylation levels and telomere length, albeit not statistically significant.These findings provide a foundation for further exploration of the mechanisms underlying the roles of telomeres and methylation in the aging process.
