Longitudinal dynamics of organ-specific proteomic aging clocks over a decade of midlife

Organ-specific proteomic clocks are promising tools for quantifying heterogeneity in biological aging, but their longitudinal behavior remains largely unexplored. Here, we analyzed paired plasma proteomic profiles with 10-year follow-up in middle-aged adults ( <i>n</i> = 1,250) to evaluate their longitudinal properties. Cross-sectional associations of protein concentrations with age mirrored average longitudinal trajectories, validating the common cross-sectional training of clocks. Organ-specific age acceleration was moderately stable over the decade, and aging across organs progressed in parallel, with the immune and adipose systems acting as central hubs and early cardiorespiratory aging predicting downstream metabolic aging. Critically, longitudinal changes in predicted age tracked subclinical risk factor alterations. In women, the menopausal transition dominated the aging landscape and was associated with multi-organ age acceleration. Medication initiation altered clocks through specific drug-targeted proteins (such as renin and APOB) rather than generalized organ aging. Together, these findings position organ-specific proteomic clocks as interpretable, dynamic indicators of aging and organ health.

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Publication Details

Journal
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)
Published
2026-02-18
DOI
https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.02.17.706320
Primary Topic
Advanced Proteomics Techniques and Applications
Type
article
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article

Longitudinal dynamics of organ-specific proteomic aging clocks over a decade of midlife

Ernst R. Rietzschel, Menno Van Damme, Louis Coussement, Karina N. Alvarez et al.
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)
Advanced Proteomics Techniques and Applications
article

Longitudinal dynamics of organ-specific proteomic aging clocks over a decade of midlife

Ernst R. Rietzschel, Menno Van Damme, Louis Coussement, Karina N. Alvarez, Robbe E. Neirynck, Patrick Segers, Tim De Meyer
article en

Abstract

Organ-specific proteomic clocks are promising tools for quantifying heterogeneity in biological aging, but their longitudinal behavior remains largely unexplored. Here, we analyzed paired plasma proteomic profiles with 10-year follow-up in middle-aged adults ( <i>n</i> = 1,250) to evaluate their longitudinal properties. Cross-sectional associations of protein concentrations with age mirrored average longitudinal trajectories, validating the common cross-sectional training of clocks. Organ-specific age acceleration was moderately stable over the decade, and aging across organs progressed in parallel, with the immune and adipose systems acting as central hubs and early cardiorespiratory aging predicting downstream metabolic aging. Critically, longitudinal changes in predicted age tracked subclinical risk factor alterations. In women, the menopausal transition dominated the aging landscape and was associated with multi-organ age acceleration. Medication initiation altered clocks through specific drug-targeted proteins (such as renin and APOB) rather than generalized organ aging. Together, these findings position organ-specific proteomic clocks as interpretable, dynamic indicators of aging and organ health.

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (US), Ghent University Hospital (BE), Ghent University (BE), University of Pennsylvania (US)
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 52%
Advanced Proteomics Techniques and Applications
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