Healthy Aging in human cohorts: Proteomic Signatures for various human organ tissues and corresponding plasma samples across the Lifespan

Aging is closely linked with cellular senescence which is a multi-faceted cell fate that arrests cell proliferation and activates the synthesis and secretion of numerous cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, proteases and lipids, termed the Senescence Associated Secretory Phenotype (SASP). The SASP can influence tissue microenvironments, locally and distally, and thus senescent cells can strongly affect tissue function. In an effort to monitor healthy aging in a human cohort we collected precious human tissues across the age range from human tissue donors to investigate the effects of human healthy aging on various tissues – with specific emphasis on cellular senescence. Each human tissue sample (ovary and muscle) is accompanied by biofluids/plasma. The Olink assay for deep proteomic quantification of 5,500 proteins revealed unique protein signatures with aging relating specifically to inflammation, fibrosis, senescence and oxidative stress. Direct correlations between changes in specific organs and plasma could be revealed. This study brought forward specific aging markers valuable for future monitoring of interventions.