Longevity Papers

Aging is a major risk factor for neurodegeneration and is characterized by diverse cellular and molecular hallmarks. To understand the origin of these hallmarks, we studied the effects of aging on the transcriptome, translatome, and proteome in the brain of short-lived killifish. We identified a cascade of events in which aberrant translation pausing led to altered abundance of proteins independently of transcriptional regulation. In particular, aging caused increased ribosome stalling and widespread depletion of proteins enriched in basic amino acids. These findings uncover a potential vulnerable point in the aging brain's biology-the biogenesis of basic DNA and RNA binding proteins. This vulnerability may represent a unifying principle that connects various aging hallmarks, encompassing genome integrity, proteostasis, and the biosynthesis of macromolecules.

Microglial senescence contributes to inflammation and various neurodegenerative diseases. Recent single-cell transcriptome data have revealed age-associated microglial substates (AAMs) and their potential roles in the development of neurodegenerative diseases. However, the characteristics identified in each study are not necessarily consistent. Here, we perform an integrative analysis of seven previously reported single-cell RNA-seq and four single-nucleus RNA-seq datasets of microglia from young and aged mouse brains. We identify four common AAMs across all datasets and two dataset-specific AAMs. Each AAM exhibits distinct transcriptomic patterns, including alterations in ribosomal genes, Apoe, cytokine genes, interferon-responsive genes, and phagocytosis-related genes. Time-series and pseudotime analyses indicate that the production of AAMs is initiated by the upregulation of ribosomal genes. Predictions based on single-cell transcriptomic data of age-associated manipulations reveal an increase in specific AAMs in a stimulation-type-dependent manner. We also identify similar AAMs in human brains. Altogether, our large-scale integrative analysis highlights promising age-associated microglial populations, which may serve as novel therapeutic targets for age-related neurodegenerative diseases.

Non-pharmacological interventions (NPIs) in aging neuroscience have largely focused on intervention-specific regional effects, with limited understanding of generalizable network-level mechanisms. Here, adopting a previously unexplored gradient-based perspective of functional brain organization, we analyzed an NPI dataset involving four interventions in older adults (training/control group: n = 112/59). NPIs led to strengthened intra-network functional integration and maintained macroscale gradient architecture. Virtual lesion analyses identified the dorsal attention network (DAN) as a key contributor to gradient maintenance. Critically, enhanced post-intervention DAN connectivity was associated with maintained gradient structure and improved global cognition. These findings establish a unifying framework in which the DAN acts as a convergent hub through which diverse NPIs preserve functional brain organization and attenuate cognitive aging.

Aging is associated with metabolic decline in the brain, increasing susceptibility to neurodegenerative diseases. While exercise is a well-established strategy to counteract these changes, no study has directly compared the effects of moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on cortical and hippocampal energy metabolism-key regulators of brain plasticity in aging. To address this gap, we investigated how 4-week MICT and HIIT protocols, structured according to the lactate threshold, affect endurance performance and brain metabolic markers in older Wistar rats. Both training modalities improved endurance, with HIIT demonstrating superior gains in maximal performance. However, molecular analyses revealed that MICT induced more extensive metabolic and angiogenic adaptations in the cortex and hippocampus, including the upregulation of key regulators of energy metabolism and vascularization. RNA sequencing confirmed broader transcriptomic changes following MICT, implicating pathways associated with neurogenesis, metabolic homeostasis, and cellular plasticity. While HIIT provided a time-efficient means of improving cardiovascular endurance and mitochondrial activity through different molecular pathways when compared to MICT, its impact on brain metabolism was more limited. These findings suggest that MICT is the preferred regimen for enhancing cerebral metabolic function and neurovascular adaptation, while HIIT serves as a complementary strategy to involve other brain metabolism-associated pathways and maximize aerobic fitness. A direct comparison of these modalities, as presented here, is essential for refining exercise prescriptions to support brain health in aging.

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is characterized by kidney damage and abnormal renal energy metabolism, but the molecular mechanism of DKD is still unclear. In this study, we show that p16- positive senescent cells are an important regulator in the progression of DKD. The expression of p16 and senescence are increased in the kidneys of DM mice and DKD patients. To better understand the role of p16 in DKD, we induce type 1 diabetes in INK-ATTAC mice, a mouse model that allows the selective ablation of p16-expressing cells upon administration of the drug AP20187. We found that clearance of p16-positive cells, most of them are senescent cells, (1) decreased senescence and the expression of the components of the senescence-associated secretory phenotypes (SASPs), (2) restored kidney adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content, (3) decreased the expression of the key glycolytic genes to improve the metabolic reprogramming, (4) normalized the mitochondrial metabolism through AMPK and mTOR pathway, resulting in an amelioration of the progression of DKD. In addition, p16 mediated the blocking of the cell cycle is through the CDK4-Rb pathway in DKD kidneys. This study suggests that pharmacological deletion of p16-positive senescent cells may be a novel therapeutic strategy for DKD treatment.

Clonal hematopoiesis (CH) has emerged as a common age-related phenomenon and a central concept linking somatic mutations in hematopoietic stem cells to both malignant and non-malignant diseases. While initially recognized in the context of hematologic neoplasms, CH is now known to contribute to increased all-cause mortality, particularly through heightened risk of cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases. Frequent mutations in genes such as DNMT3A, TET2, and ASXL1 alter epigenetic regulation and immune signaling, thereby promoting clonal expansion and systemic consequences. Longitudinal studies have illuminated the dynamics of clonal growth and revealed how germline variants influence somatic selection. VEXAS syndrome, driven by UBA1-mutated CH, exemplifies the broader clinical reach of clonal expansion beyond malignancy. CH occupies an intermediate biological state with far-reaching implications. In this Progress in Hematology series, contributors explore the natural history, genetic underpinnings, and inflammatory manifestations of CH, offering insights into its role as both a biomarker and a potential therapeutic target in aging populations.

Mosaic loss of Y chromosome (mLOY) in blood cells is an age-related somatic mutation, but its relationship with pulmonary health remains undercharacterized. Leveraging mLOY assessment in over 12,000 men, including 5,097 from the COPDGene Study and 7,235 from six additional cohorts in Trans-Omics for Precision Medicine program, we investigated its association with respiratory outcomes and epigenetic aging. Cross-sectionally, mLOY was associated with airflow obstruction with prevalence increasing with age, particularly in men with a former smoking history. Longitudinally, mLOY associated with lung function decline. Notably, mLOY was also associated with greater CT-quantified lung emphysema and faster pace epigenetic aging. Prospectively, in participants with normal lung function at baseline, mLOY was associated with lower future lung function and faster pace of epigenetic aging. These associations remained robust after adjusting for clonal hematopoiesis and telomere length. Collectively, these findings position mLOY as a potential biomarker of respiratory aging and obstructive lung disease.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) drives immunosenescence, while its reactivation is associated with inflammation and oxidative stress. This study investigates the interplay between CMV, oxidative stress and inflammation in a cohort of 2065 age-stratified individuals randomly recruited from the general population (RASIG), as part of the MARK-AGE study, to better understand the role of CMV in immunosenescence and its potential impact on age-related diseases. CMV IgG titers were associated with oxidative stress, antioxidant, and inflammatory biomarkers. Stepwise-linear regression identified positive associations with age, BMI, apolipoprotein J (ApoJ/Clu), ceruloplasmin, α-2-macroglobulin, proteasome peptidase activity, and malondialdehyde, and negative associations with α-tocopherol, selenium, and vitamin D. Notably, the associations with ApoJ/Clu and proteasome peptidase activity represent novel findings that point to a potential involvement of proteostasis dysregulation and cellular stress responses in CMV-related immune alterations. Quartile-based analyses revealed significantly lower antioxidant levels (α-tocopherol, selenium, ascorbic acid and vitamin D) and higher oxidative stress markers (plasma 8-isoprostanes, malondialdehyde) in the highest quartile (Q4) compared to lower quartiles. Inflammatory markers (homocysteine, ceruloplasmin and α-2-macroglobulin) ApoJ/Clu and proteasome peptidase activity were elevated in Q4. This group also exhibited a higher prevalence of cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, and diabetes. This study highlights a link between CMV IgG titers, oxidative stress, inflammation, and the prevalence of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Our findings suggest that CMV may contribute to immunosenescence through mechanisms involving redox imbalance and dysregulation of protein degradation pathways. Further research is needed to explore the role of CMV reactivation in aging, and its impact on age-related metabolic and cardiovascular diseases.

Health behaviors affect life expectancy, but whether disease is present can greatly impact both the individual and society. How health behavior is reflected in the utilization of health care services is yet to be investigated to support the impact of prevention efforts. Based on data from 57,053 middle-aged individuals from the Danish Diet, Cancer and Health cohort, a health score including baseline smoking status, sport activity, alcohol consumption, diet, and waist circumference was constructed as a simple measure of general health behavior. During 20 years of follow-up, healthy life expectancy among men and women aged 65 years at baseline, was 0.83 [0.74 to 0.92] and 0.86 [0.77 to 0.94] years longer on average, respectively, per one point increment in the health score. Life expectancy with disease was shorter among men (-0.18 [-0.26 to -0.09]) and women (-0.37 [-0.45 to -0.29]) with higher health scores. Among individuals with the highest scores, major chronic disease diagnosis was postponed for more than 7 years. There were fewer disability years, especially with multimorbidity, (men: -1.6 years; women: -3.3 years), and there was a clear inverse association between health score and days of hospitalization looking 20 years ahead.

Mosaic loss of chromosome Y (mLOY) is the most common somatic mutation in hematopoietic cells of aging men and is linked to cancer risk and mortality. However, its relationship with treatment modalities remains unclear. In 348 prostate cancer patients at Juntendo University Hospital, local radiotherapy was associated with a higher prevalence of mLOY (OR = 2.55, 95% CI: 1.08-6.50, P = 0.04), whereas surgery and endocrine therapy were not. We then examined BioBank Japan data from over 30,000 patients with prostate, lung, colorectal, and gastric cancers. Fixed-effect meta-analysis across these sites showed a significant association between radiotherapy and mLOY (OR = 1.48, 95% CI: 1.11-1.98, P = 0.01). No significant effect heterogeneity was observed across cancer types (Q = 0.36, I² = 0%, P = 0.95). Our findings suggest that radiotherapy may exacerbate genomic instability, indicating a potential vulnerability in certain cancer patients to DNA damage induced by radiation therapy.

Senescent cells, characterized by irreversible cell cycle arrest and inflammatory factor secretion, promote various age-related pathologies. Senescent cells exhibit resistance to ferroptosis, a form of iron-dependent cell death; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we discovered that lysosomal acidity was crucial for lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis induction by cystine deprivation. In senescent cells, lysosomal alkalinization causes the aberrant retention of ferrous iron in lysosomes, resulting in resistance to ferroptosis. Treatment with the V-ATPase activator EN6 restored lysosomal acidity and ferroptosis sensitivity in senescent cells. A similar ferroptosis resistance mechanism involving lysosomal alkalinization was observed in pancreatic cancer cell lines. EN6 treatment prevented pancreatic cancer development in xenograft and Kras mutant mouse models. Our findings reveal a link between lysosomal dysfunction and the regulation of ferroptosis, suggesting a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of age-related diseases.

ER and mitochondrial stress are often interconnected and considered major contributors to aging as well as neurodegeneration. Coordinated induction of ER

Retinal fundus images offer a non-invasive window into systemic aging. Here, we fine-tuned a foundation model (RETFound) to predict chronological age from color fundus images in 71,343 participants from the UK Biobank, achieving a mean absolute error of 2.85 years. The resulting retinal age gap (RAG), i.e., the difference between predicted and chronological age, was associated with cardiometabolic traits, inflammation, cognitive performance, mortality, dementia, cancer, and incident cardiovascular disease. Genome-wide analyses identified genes related to longevity, metabolism, neurodegeneration, and age-related eye diseases. Sex-stratified models revealed consistent performance but divergent biological signatures: males had younger-appearing retinas and stronger links to metabolic syndrome, while in females, both model attention and genetic associations pointed to a greater involvement of retinal vasculature. Our study positions retinal aging as a biologically meaningful and sex-sensitive biomarker that can support more personalized approaches to risk assessment and aging-related healthcare.

The need to monitor the aging process as a risk factor for disease and mortality beyond chronological age (CA) has led to numerous investigations into the estimation of the biological age (BA) of individuals. However, the accuracy of BA estimation tools is often judged by their ability to approximate CA, questioning their value in capturing the variance in health status and thus correctly estimating BA. Their biological relevance is often assessed in relation to health outcomes or mortality, underexploiting their potential for real-time monitoring of BA. Furthermore, their complexity may limit their clinical translation to large populations. Here, we describe the gene expression-based age monitoring Clock (GamC), a simple biomarker of aging (BOA), and characterize its biological relevance with synchronous cardiovascular (CV) health-related functional data. GamC is calculated from the expression levels of three genes consistently dysregulated with age in blood (ABLIM1, CCR7, and LEF1). GamC shows moderate but reliable association with CA in three independent cohorts, supported by transcriptome-wide changes. It demonstrates specialized biological meaning, as it specifically describes current physical activity levels, but poorly correlates with autonomic nervous system function, both age-related factors associated with CV health. Finally, it expresses BA monitoring capacity by modestly responding to an effective exercise-based intervention in centenarians. In conclusion, GamC is proposed as a simple and affordable candidate BOA for reporting the individuals' current CV health-related BA, thus promoting its broad translation and application into measures aimed at promoting healthy aging in relation to CV health, the leading cause of death worldwide.

The escalating global trend of aging populations has brought attention to the rising prevalence of late-onset amyloid disorders. Among them, amyloid transthyretin (ATTR) amyloidosis presents a growing area of unmet medical needs. While current treatment modalities have demonstrated efficacy in preventing or delaying amyloid generation, methodology to selectively modify and neutralize existing amyloid burdens remains inadequately addressed, leaving the fundamental irreversibility and hence the fatality of these conditions, a long-standing medical challenge. Here, we report the first demonstration of therapeutic efficacy in ATTR amyloidosis via dynamic control of ATTR aggregation and toxicity, enabled by small-molecule organophotocatalysis. Selective incorporation of hydrophilic oxygen atoms into the hydrophobic amyloid core reshapes the aggregation landscape, neutralizing proteotoxicity, and mitigating cellular damage. Additionally, this targeted covalent modification significantly reduces in vivo ROS levels, correlating with the observed therapeutic effects in

Cognitive impairment is a major medical problem in the aging population. The risk of developing cognitive impairment is higher in several systemic conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. While a vascular contribution to cognitive impairment in these pathologies is well established, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Endothelial dysfunction, which frequently accompanies the abovementioned conditions and increases with age, might be a key causal and mechanistic factor in cognitive deficits associated with systemic conditions. In this study, we demonstrate that the inducible deletion of the Gq/11 signaling pathway in brain endothelial cells leads to an impaired reactivity of the brain vasculature to vasodilating stimuli such as neuronal activity, representing an isolated cerebral endothelial dysfunction. These mice develop mild cognitive impairment with aging that could be explained by increased tau phosphorylation, decreased myelination, and capillary rarefaction, suggesting that endothelial cell-driven processes protect cognition in aging and providing a mechanistic explanation for how endothelial dysfunction can lead to cognitive impairment in cerebral small vessel disease.

Blood perfusion delivers oxygen and nutrients to all cells, making it a fundamental feature of brain organization. How cerebral blood perfusion maps onto micro-, meso- and macro-scale brain structure and function is therefore a key question in neuroscience. Here we analyze pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling (ASL) data from [Formula: see text] healthy individuals in the HCP Lifespan studies (5-22 and 36-100 years) to reconstruct a high-resolution normative cerebral blood perfusion map. At the cellular and molecular level, cerebral blood perfusion co-localizes with granular layer IV, biological pathways for maintenance of cellular relaxation potential and mitochondrial organization, and with neurotransmitter and neuropeptide receptors involved in vasomodulation. At the regional level, blood perfusion aligns with cortical arealization and is greatest in regions with high metabolic demand and resting-state functional hubs. Looking across individuals, blood perfusion is dynamic throughout the lifespan, follows micro-architectural changes in development, and maps onto individual differences in physiological changes in aging. In addition, we find that cortical atrophy in multiple neurodegenerative diseases (late-onset Alzheimer's disease, TDP-43C, and dementia with Lewy bodies) is most pronounced in regions with lower perfusion, highlighting the utility of perfusion topography as an indicator of transdiagnostic vulnerability. Finally, we show that ASL-derived perfusion can be used to delineate arterial territories in a data-driven manner, providing insights into how the vascular system is linked to human brain function. Collectively, this work highlights how cerebral blood perfusion is central to, and interlinked with, multiple structural and functional systems in the brain.

Neuroinflammation has emerged as a contributing mechanism in age-related cognitive decline (ARCD), Parkinson's disease (PD), obesity, sleep disorders, and autoimmune disorders. Orexin/hypocretin, a neuropeptide expressed in the lateral hypothalamus (LH), has well-established roles in homeostatic processes, such as energy metabolism, food intake, sleep, and wakefulness. Our laboratory and others have shown that orexin expression decreases with age, and this age-related orexin decline is exacerbated in disease states. Additionally, it has recently been shown that orexin possesses anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties. Based on these observations, we hypothesize that orexin is modulating neuroinflammation in brain regions that are critical in the development of ARCD. To test this hypothesis, we used lentiviral gene transfer to downregulate orexin expression in male and female young rats to mimic age-related orexin deficiency and examined neuroinflammatory responses to peripheral administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). We found a significant reduction of basal forebrain (BF) microglial complexity and plasma BDNF in both males and females following orexin downregulation. Notably, orexin downregulation blocked the capacity of the neuroinflammatory system to respond to LPS. These results demonstrate that neuroinflammatory responses are dependent on orexin signaling, and this system becomes dysfunctional in aging in a sex-dependent manner.

Senile osteoporosis (SOP) features reduced bone density and degraded trabecular structure, primarily mediated through senescent impairment of osteoblasts that disrupts coupled bone remodeling homeostasis. This pathological process induces systemic bone resorption and localized bone destruction accompanied by architectural deterioration. Existing treatments for senile osteoporosis tend to focus on a single mechanism, making it challenging to simultaneously address bone formation deficits and oxidative stress. Herein, we developed a multifunctional nanoplatform utilizing metal-phenolic networks (MPNs), formed

We have previously shown that prevention of GSK-3β inactivation with GSK-3β (S9A), stimulates autophagy through phosphorylation of Ulk1 at Ser913. In the current study, we investigated whether cardiac aging is accelerated in Ulk1S913A knock in mice and whether cardiomyocyte senescence plays an important role in the development of aging cardiomyopathy in these mice.

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs), foods with high levels of artificial additives and preservatives, often low in protein and essential nutrients despite being calorie-dense, have been associated with a range of adverse health outcomes, including cardiovascular and kidney diseases, obesity, Type 2 diabetes, and frailty. Despite growing evidence on the adverse effects of UPFs, no systematic review has comprehensively assessed their association with frailty and sarcopenia. This review synthesizes current evidence on UPF intake and frailty prevalence and severity in older adults while exploring its impact on sarcopenia-related outcomes, including muscle mass, strength and function.

Aging is associated with increased susceptibility to metabolic stress and chronic liver disease, yet the interactions between age and metabolic stressors and the potential for ameliorating interventions remain incompletely understood. Here, we examined the hepatic response of young (7-month-old) and old (25-month-old) C57BL/6 male mice to a 9-week high-fat diet (HFD) and assessed whether rapamycin, a well-established pro-longevity intervention, could mitigate age-exacerbated effects. While both age groups developed metabolic-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), older mice displayed more severe hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and transcriptional dysregulation. Transcriptomic profiling of whole livers and purified hepatocytes revealed that aging amplifies HFD-induced inflammatory and metabolic gene expression changes, including activation of immune pathways and suppression of metabolic pathways. Notably, treatment of aging mice with rapamycin reversed the majority of HFD-driven transcriptional alterations, including upregulation of pro-inflammatory regulators such as Stat1, and dysregulation of metabolic gene networks. Rapamycin also reduced hepatosteatosis, total body weight, and a tumorigenic transcriptomic signature associated with hepatocellular carcinoma risk. These findings demonstrate that aging intensifies hepatic sensitivity to metabolic stress and identify rapamycin as a promising therapeutic to counteract age-related liver dysfunction and MAFLD progression.

Macrophages are heterogeneous immune cells with diverse subtypes and tissue-specific distributions, displaying dynamic polarization states that critically govern their immunomodulatory functions and responses to environmental cues. As key regulators of innate and adaptive immunity, they originate from either embryonic progenitors or bone marrow-derived monocytes and exhibit remarkable plasticity in response to microenvironmental cues. Tissue-resident macrophages (e.g., Langerhans cells, Kupffer cells, microglia) display unique organ-specific functions, while inflammatory stimuli drive their polarization into proinflammatory (M1) or anti-inflammatory (M2) phenotypes along a functional continuum. This review systematically examines macrophage subtypes, their anatomical distribution, and the signaling pathways (e.g., NF-κB, STATs, PPARγ) underlying polarization shifts in acute and chronic inflammation. We highlight how polarization imbalances contribute to pathologies including neuroinflammation, liver fibrosis, and impaired tissue repair, particularly in aging contexts. Furthermore, we discuss emerging therapeutic strategies targeting macrophage plasticity, such as cytokine modulation, metabolic reprogramming, and subtype-specific interventions. By integrating recent advances in macrophage biology, this work provides a comprehensive framework for understanding their dual roles in immune regulation and tissue homeostasis, offering insights for treating inflammatory and age-related diseases through macrophage-centered immunomodulation.

Aging impairs the regenerative capacity of mammalian organs and is a major risk factor for organ fibrosis. The causalities for persistent fibrosis after lung injury in old individuals have been unclear. We used longitudinal single-cell RNA-seq after lung injury and dissected aging effects computationally and experimentally at baseline and during repair. In old mice, sustained fibroblast activation in the resolution phase of repair was associated with prolonged epithelial senescence and persistent epithelial-mesenchymal crosstalk. Single-cell interpretable tensor decomposition analysis identified the strongest link of aging with T/B-lymphocytes and macrophages. A Granzyme K-high CD8-T cell state was unique to aged mice, co-localized with progenitors, and its co-culture or Gzmk treatments in lung organoids reduced progenitor function by induction of stem cell senescence. In summary, our study highlights effects of immune aging on progenitor function and provides a high resolution map of a lung regeneration time course in the context of aging.