Epigenetics Communications · Jul 20, 2026
Epigenome-wide association study uncovers aging-related genes and enriched pathways in liver transplant recipients
By Baciu C, Hasjim BJ, Pasini E et al.
Biological aging may influence long-term outcomes following liver transplantation (LT), yet longitudinal epigenetic changes in transplant recipients remain poorly characterized. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from LT recipients were analyzed using Infinium Methylation EPIC v2.0 arrays at transplantation (T0), five years (T5), and ten years (T10) post-transplant. Differentially methylated regions (DMRs) and epigenetic age acceleration were evaluated. The largest epigenetic changes occurred between five and ten years post-transplant, with 211 DMRs enriched in immune-related pathways. However, epigenetic clock analyses showed no significant differences in biological age acceleration. Long-term LT survival is associated with immune-related epigenetic remodeling rather than global biological aging acceleration.