A consortium-driven framework for biomarker prioritization in the HEBE aging study

Abstract Aging is a complex biological process influenced by chronic low-grade inflammation, oxidative stress, and metabolic dysregulation, collectively termed inflammaging. The HEBE (Healthy aging versus inflamm-aging: the role of physical Exercise in modulating the Biomarkers of age-associated and Environmentally determined chronic diseases) project developed and implemented a consortium-driven, cost-effective methodological framework for biomarker profiling aimed at capturing these mechanisms and their modulation by lifestyle interventions, particularly physical exercise. This framework integrates interdisciplinary expertise and high-throughput analytical strategies to guide biomarker selection while balancing physiological relevance, analytical feasibility, and cost-effectiveness. The framework was applied within a large multidisciplinary consortium structured across multiple research lines (RLs), each addressing specific domains of inflammaging-related conditions, including obesity, cancer, frailty, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, neuroinflammation, psychological stress, autoimmune disorders, and fertility. The resulting biomarker panel spans molecular, cellular, and systemic levels, encompassing inflammatory cytokines, metabolic regulators, neurotrophic factors, extracellular vesicle-derived molecules, lipidomics, proteomics, and platelet activation markers. A key output of this framework is the harmonized integration of cross-disciplinary biomarker data while minimizing biological sample consumption and analytical costs. The prioritization of multiplex technologies and targeted omics approaches enables the simultaneous assessment of multiple biomarkers from limited biospecimens, enhancing efficiency and scalability. Centralized data management and statistical coordination further support consistency of implementation. This work also highlights methodological challenges inherent to large-scale biomarker studies, including inter-individual variability, platform standardization, and the need for longitudinal validation. Addressing these issues through harmonized protocols and extended follow-up will be essential to strengthen future empirical applications. By formalizing and documenting this consortium-driven approach, the HEBE Project provides a transferable methodological framework to support biomarker-based monitoring of aging processes and lifestyle interventions in complex, resource-constrained research settings.

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Publication Details

Journal
Scientific Reports
Published
2026-10-11
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-72802-6
Primary Topic
Health, Environment, Cognitive Aging
Type
article
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article

A consortium-driven framework for biomarker prioritization in the HEBE aging study

Lavinia Casati, Anna Caretti, Bollati Valentina, Valentina Bollati et al.
Scientific Reports
Health, Environment, Cognitive Aging
article

A consortium-driven framework for biomarker prioritization in the HEBE aging study

Lavinia Casati, Anna Caretti, Bollati Valentina, Valentina Bollati, Raffaella Chiaramonte, Davide Lecca, Castaldi Silvana, La Vecchia Carlo, Mariangela Scavone, Chiara Mandò, Annalisa Bucchi, Stefano Centanni, Paola Brocca, Marta Fumagalli, Clara Bernardelli, Nicola Montano, Marco Vicenzi, Giuseppina Bernardelli, Luigi Sironi, Cappelletti Graziella, Ingegnoli Francesca, Michele Sommariva, Elia Mario Biganzoli, Nicoletta Gagliano, Francesca Bravi, Marco Bonomi, Carla Perego, Domenica Giannandrea, Camera Marina, Nadia Papini, Nicolò Caporale, Edefonti Valeria, Beatrice Arosio, Elvira Verduci, Federica Rota, Daniela Lucini, Patrízia Limonta, Cristina Battaglia, Sara Castiglioni, Luca Ferrari, Roberta Cazzola, Francesca Bianchi, Biganzoli Elia, Podda Gianmarco, Baron Giovanna, Fiorina Paolo, Persani Luca, Pistocchi Anna, Mario Clerici, Brucato Antonio, Loretelli Cristian, Bellocchi Chiara, Chiodini Iacopo, Matera Carlo, Paroni Rita Clara, Ruscica Massimiliano, Rizzo Angela Maria, Geginat Jens Albrecht Ernst, Clerici Mario Salvatore, Dei Cas Michele Vittorio, Bellosta Stefano, Platonova Natalia, Pantoni Leonardo, Lesma Elena Anna, Savasi Valeria Maria, Sfondrini Lucia, Rondelli Valeria Maria, Ferraroni Monica, Riva Paola Vanda, Chiricozzi Elena, D.’addio Francesca, Aureli Massimo, Dallanoce Clelia Mariangiola Luisa, Fornasari Diego Maria Michele, La Porta Caterina, Tobaldini Eleonora, Fenizia Claudio, Tringali Cristina Alessandra, Rossi Marta, Rota Federica, Cogliati Chiara Beatrice, Risé Patrizia Tiziana, Citro Valentina, D.’amato Alfonsina, Baruscotti Mirko, Corbetta Sabrina Luigia, Ambrogi Federico, Delle Fave Antonella, Dias Rodrigues Gabriel, Ciana Paolo, Dozio Elena, Testa Giuseppe, Galliera Emanuela Rita, Mandò Chiara, Martini Valeria, Del Favero Elena, Cattaneo Maria Grazia, Cetin Irene
article en

Abstract

Abstract Aging is a complex biological process influenced by chronic low-grade inflammation, oxidative stress, and metabolic dysregulation, collectively termed inflammaging. The HEBE (Healthy aging versus inflamm-aging: the role of physical Exercise in modulating the Biomarkers of age-associated and Environmentally determined chronic diseases) project developed and implemented a consortium-driven, cost-effective methodological framework for biomarker profiling aimed at capturing these mechanisms and their modulation by lifestyle interventions, particularly physical exercise. This framework integrates interdisciplinary expertise and high-throughput analytical strategies to guide biomarker selection while balancing physiological relevance, analytical feasibility, and cost-effectiveness. The framework was applied within a large multidisciplinary consortium structured across multiple research lines (RLs), each addressing specific domains of inflammaging-related conditions, including obesity, cancer, frailty, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, neuroinflammation, psychological stress, autoimmune disorders, and fertility. The resulting biomarker panel spans molecular, cellular, and systemic levels, encompassing inflammatory cytokines, metabolic regulators, neurotrophic factors, extracellular vesicle-derived molecules, lipidomics, proteomics, and platelet activation markers. A key output of this framework is the harmonized integration of cross-disciplinary biomarker data while minimizing biological sample consumption and analytical costs. The prioritization of multiplex technologies and targeted omics approaches enables the simultaneous assessment of multiple biomarkers from limited biospecimens, enhancing efficiency and scalability. Centralized data management and statistical coordination further support consistency of implementation. This work also highlights methodological challenges inherent to large-scale biomarker studies, including inter-individual variability, platform standardization, and the need for longitudinal validation. Addressing these issues through harmonized protocols and extended follow-up will be essential to strengthen future empirical applications. By formalizing and documenting this consortium-driven approach, the HEBE Project provides a transferable methodological framework to support biomarker-based monitoring of aging processes and lifestyle interventions in complex, resource-constrained research settings.

Scientific Reports
Openalex Percentile: Top 17%
Health, Environment, Cognitive Aging
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