Research Square
Most DNA-mark differences in human colon cells traced to embryos
By around age 60, a colorectal cell lineage had about 1.2 million DNA-mark differences from a reference pattern; about 60% dated to early embryos.By around age 60, a colorectal cell lineage had about 1.2 million DNA-mark differences from a reference pattern; about 60% dated to early embryos.
Preprint: cross-sectional studyGut and microbiome
Who was studied16 donors of colorectal epithelial cells
What changedAbout 60% of DNA methylation differences in colorectal cells originated during early embryonic development rather than accumulating with age
The catchOnly 16 donors supplied the clones used to infer embryonic origins