Exercise-associated epigenetic remodeling and TCR repertoire dynamics in Lynch syndrome carriers

Lynch syndrome (LS) carriers are at elevated cancer risk. Emerging evidence suggests that exercise may serve as a non-pharmacologic preventive strategy, yet the epigenetic and immunological mechanisms underlying its protective effects in this population remain unclear. Here, we perform integrative multi-omics profiling of DNA methylation, gene expression, and the T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire in LS carriers undergoing a 52-week aerobic cycling intervention. We identify compartment-specific DNA methylation changes, including innate immune activation in cfDNA and oncogenic pathway repression in tissue. Integrative transcriptomic analysis highlights ISL1 as a key exercise-repressed, epigenetically regulated gene, and identifies FLCN as a colorectal cancer (CRC)-associated methylation target. TCR analysis reveals an exercise-associated increase in systemic repertoire diversity and tissue-specific clonal convergence, thus suggesting antigen-driven recruitment. Collectively, these findings uncover epigenetic and immune remodeling as potential mechanisms of exercise-mediated protection in LS.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
iScience
Published
2026-08-28
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2026.117364
Primary Topic
Genetic factors in colorectal cancer
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

Funders

Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

Exercise-associated epigenetic remodeling and TCR repertoire dynamics in Lynch syndrome carriers

Susan C. Gilchrist, Selvi Thirumurthi, Krishna M. Sinha, Nan Deng et al.
iScience
Genetic factors in colorectal cancer
article

Exercise-associated epigenetic remodeling and TCR repertoire dynamics in Lynch syndrome carriers

Susan C. Gilchrist, Selvi Thirumurthi, Krishna M. Sinha, Nan Deng, Eduardo Vilar, Abel Martel-Martel, Fahriye Duzagac, Laura Reyes-Uribe, Jinling Wang
article en

Abstract

Lynch syndrome (LS) carriers are at elevated cancer risk. Emerging evidence suggests that exercise may serve as a non-pharmacologic preventive strategy, yet the epigenetic and immunological mechanisms underlying its protective effects in this population remain unclear. Here, we perform integrative multi-omics profiling of DNA methylation, gene expression, and the T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire in LS carriers undergoing a 52-week aerobic cycling intervention. We identify compartment-specific DNA methylation changes, including innate immune activation in cfDNA and oncogenic pathway repression in tissue. Integrative transcriptomic analysis highlights ISL1 as a key exercise-repressed, epigenetically regulated gene, and identifies FLCN as a colorectal cancer (CRC)-associated methylation target. TCR analysis reveals an exercise-associated increase in systemic repertoire diversity and tissue-specific clonal convergence, thus suggesting antigen-driven recruitment. Collectively, these findings uncover epigenetic and immune remodeling as potential mechanisms of exercise-mediated protection in LS.

iScienceVol. 29(9)
University of North Carolina Health Care (US), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (US)
Division of Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Institute, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Openalex Percentile: Top 11%
Genetic factors in colorectal cancer
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.