FIGURE 1.

Leveraging the DNA methylome for respiratory health. Epigenetic clocks measure biological ageing. The deviation of biological from chronological age (represented by the linear plot) can represent an unhealthy state. Age acceleration (red dots) can be caused by environmental factors such as smoking, vaping, pollution, and chronic viral infections. In contrast, age deceleration (blue dots) could potentially result from lifestyle changes such as smoking cessation, a healthy diet and increased physical activity. Epigenetic clocks can be used to stratify risk for respiratory diseases, predict significant clinical outcomes, and evaluate the relationship between the exposome and lung health. Efforts to understand what might slow the ageing rate down may allow for novel therapeutics for patients with chronic respiratory diseases. Figure created using BioRender.com