Andy Duncan-Brown Portraits Boys

LBI

Meta-analysis of telomere length in 19 713 subjects reveals high heritability, stronger maternal inheritance and a paternal age effect

Telomere length (TL) has been associated with aging and mortality, but individual differences are also influenced by genetic factors, with previous studies reporting heritability estimates ranging from 34 to 82%. Here we investigate the heritability, mode of inheritance and the influence of parental age at birth on TL in six large, independent cohort studies with a total of 19 713 participants. The meta-analysis estimate of TL heritability was 0.70 (95% CI 0.64–0.76) and is based on a pattern of results that is highly similar for twins and other family members. We observed a stronger mother–offspring (r=0.42; P-value=3.60 × 10−61) than father–offspring correlation (r=0.33; P-value=7.01 × 10−5), and a significant positive association with paternal age at offspring birth (β=0.005; P-value=7.01 × 10−5). Interestingly, a significant and quite substantial correlation in TL between spouses (r=0.25; P-value=2.82 × 10−30) was seen, which appeared stronger in older spouse pairs (mean age ≥55 years; r=0.31; P-value=4.27 × 10−23) than in younger pairs (mean age<55 years; r=0.20; P-value=3.24 × 10−10). In summary, we find a high and very consistent heritability estimate for TL, evidence for a maternal inheritance component and a positive association with paternal age.

Family portrait at double wedding ceremony of the Heimann and Rosenfelder families Portraits; Family

Double Wedding Ceremony Heimann-Rosenfelder August 17, 1909

Portrait of David Baumgardt with Marie Zweig Portraits Groups

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Leo Baeck sitting on grass with Rudolf Seligsohn; Erzgebirge Portraits; Groups; Men

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Portrait of the film producer Ernst Lubitsch smoking a cigar Portraits Men

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Hirsch, Paul Portraits Men

Dedication to Paul by Eugen Ernst

Portrait of Jacques Offenbach Portraits Men

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Israel, Nathan Portraits Men

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Hannah Karminski speaking with Mrs. Neuhaus; Conference of Juedisches Frauenbundes; Duerkheim Portraits Groups Women

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Seated portrait of Walter Laqueur Portraits Men

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Alice Salomon with students on the roof garden of the Sozialen Frauenschule Portraits Groups

Including Hilde Caro, Lotte Lipschitz and Ellen Milch

Portrait of Jacob Picard in military uniform Military; Portraits

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Painting of Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy by Eduard Magnus Portraits Men

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