We examined the association between epigenetic age acceleration and gene expression using both cross-sectional and prospective models in both peripheral blood and aorta intima-media samples. Participating cohort abbreviated names are given in parentheses.

Estimates from the meta-analysis of the cross-sectional associations between epigenetic age acceleration and log₂-transformed gene expression for KORA and RS. Both cohorts used different version of the same gene expression microarray, which contained identical gene expression probe designs allowing for direct comparisons.

For the prospective associations, accelerated epigenetic aging was estimated in baseline (KORA S4) samples and gene expression measured in samples collected during follow-up 4 to 5 years later (KORA F4). Only associations with P < .05 in the full (age, age squared, sex, body mass index, smoking, and physical activity) adjusted model are shown. Effect estimates (β) are given per 1 year higher epigenetic age as compared with chronological age. ASAP, Advanced Study of Aortic Pathology biobank.