Rapamycin effects on aging-associated pathologies

Rapamycin is an inhibitor of the mTOR pathway and it has been used in preventing rejection of solid organ allografts. In this multi-PI study on an older age healthy human cohort, we assess the usability and efficacy of Rapamycin in improving physical performance, cardiac and vascular health, and immune outcomes. This approach is motivated by the promising results that were observed in prior studies on mice models. Oncinfo contributes in this study through analysis of gene expression and DNA methylation profiles.

1. DNA methylation data of 29 subjects were measured in 2019 using Infinium MethylationEpic V1 Array. PBMC samples were collected before and after Rapamycin (16 subjects) and placebo (13 subjects) treatment for 6-8 weeks.

Dr. Ellen Kraig, an immunologist, and Dr. Dean Kellogg, a physiologist, both from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

We follow the Bioconductor workflow to identify the probes and regions that are differentially methylation due to Rapamycin treatment.

1. Kraig, Ellen, et al. “A randomized control trial to establish the feasibility and safety of rapamycin treatment in an older human cohort: Immunological, physical performance, and cognitive effects.” Experimental gerontology 105 (2018): 53-69.