Multi-omic analysis of canine aging uncovers conserved aging pathways.

Abstract

Aging is a complex biological process characterized by molecular changes across multiple biological scales. While these alterations have been extensively studied in humans and rodents, the molecular changes associated with aging in dogs remain underexplored despite their relevance as a model for human aging. In this study, we profiled gene expression (n = 16,273 genes) and protein abundance (n = 2041 proteins) in whole blood and blood plasma from 40 laboratory beagles across young (3-5 years old, n = 10), old (8-9 years old, n = 17), and geriatric (10-14 years old, n = 13) life stages. We identified 816 genes and 40 proteins that significantly changed in abundance during aging, converging on pathways involved in DNA repair, collagen processing, and inflammation. Notably, these canine aging signatures overlapped with human age-associated genes, including those tied to the hallmarks of aging, reinforcing the existence of conserved aging mechanisms across species.