Proteomic aging clocks in epidemiological studies: advances, applications and prospects

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Gerontology
• Biomarker Discovery

Background:

• Chronological age is a limited metric for physiological function and life expectancy.
• Proteomic aging clocks, utilizing high-dimensional proteomic data, quantify biological age.
• Proteins are crucial biologically and have clinical utility as druggable targets and prognostic biomarkers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current proteomic clocks for assessing biological age using human blood samples.
• To highlight the potential clinical applications of proteomic clocks as aging biomarkers.
• To discuss challenges and prospects for implementing proteomic clocks in preventive medicine.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on proteomic aging clocks.
• Analysis of different proteomic assay platforms and their data.
• Examination of study populations and modeling strategies used in clock development.

Main Results:

• Proteomic clocks show promise for quantifying biological age and predicting healthspan.
• Current proteomic clocks utilize diverse platforms, populations, and modeling strategies.
• Variability in methods may limit the generalizability and translational utility of existing clocks.

Conclusions:

• Proteomic clocks are advancing rapidly as a tool to assess biological age.
• Standardization of platforms and methodologies is needed for broader clinical application.
• Implementing proteomic clocks can advance proactive, preventive medicine and extend healthspan.