Mechanisms and interventions of epigenetic aging

Abstract

Increasing evidence suggests that epigenetic dysregulation is both a hallmark and a potential driving force of aging. As a multifactorial, non-linear, and systemic biological process, aging likely results from a progressive imbalance in a complex epigenetic network involving DNA, histones, RNA, and non-coding sequences. These interconnected alterations collectively lead to core aging features such as genomic instability, heightened inflammation, and loss of cellular identity. In this review, we highlight the central role of epigenetic mechanisms across different dimensions in cellular, tissue, and organismal aging. Furthermore, we discuss potential intervention strategies designed to counteract these epigenetic alterations, indicating both their promise and the associated challenges.