BUFFALO, NY — November 5, 2026 — A new #research paper was #published in Volume 18 of Aging on October 14, 2026, titled “Ferroptosis-related hub genes and immune infiltration characteristics in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: a molecular framework with implications for aging-related muscle degeneration.”
The study identified three genes associated with ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of cell death, and changes in immune-related signals in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). By analyzing human muscle gene-expression data and conducting experiments in mice, the researchers identified molecular characteristics that may also be relevant to age-related muscle degeneration. The findings offer new insights into potential connections between iron metabolism, inflammation and muscle health.
The research was led by equal-contributing first authors Juanjuan Peng, affiliated with Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, and Jing Hu, affiliated with Nanjing Jiangning Hospital of Chinese Medicine. Corresponding author Houxi Xu is affiliated with the Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine.
Age-related muscle loss, known as sarcopenia, is a major contributor to frailty, disability and declining independence in older adults. Although its causes are complex, growing evidence suggests that iron accumulation, oxidative stress, inflammation and impaired muscle regeneration may contribute to progressive muscle deterioration.
One emerging mechanism is ferroptosis, a form of regulated cell death caused by iron-dependent oxidative damage to cellular membranes. Researchers are increasingly investigating whether this process contributes to muscle degeneration and whether understanding its regulation could reveal new approaches to preserving muscle function.
Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a genetic disorder that causes progressive muscle weakness, shares certain pathological features with aging-related muscle degeneration. These include oxidative stress, chronic inflammation and reduced regenerative capacity. Although DMD is distinct from normal aging, these similarities provide an opportunity to investigate potentially shared molecular pathways.
To explore these connections, the researchers analyzed two publicly available human DMD datasets containing 33 muscle samples from patients with DMD and 12 healthy controls. They identified 35 ferroptosis-related genes showing altered expression, with three emerging as particularly important: HIF1A, CDKN1A and CD44.
Full press release - https://www.aging-us.com/news-room/ferroptosis-related-genes-in-muscular-dystrophy-may-offer-new-insights-into-muscle-aging
DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.206429
Abstract video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlouLQYO4I8
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Keywords - aging, sarcopenia, ferroptosis, inflammaging, muscle degeneration
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