Multilayer omics analysis of the aging mechanism in the NHP model

Aging is a major risk factor for various forms of disease. An enhanced understanding of the physiological mechanisms related to aging is urgently needed. Nonhuman primates (NHPs) have the closest genetic relationship to humans, making them an ideal model to explore the complicated aging process. Multiomics analysis of NHP peripheral blood offers a promising approach to evaluate new therapies and biomarkers. Here, we explored the mechanisms of aging using transcriptomics (mRNA, lncRNA and circRNA) and proteomics (serum and serum-derived exosomes [SDEs]) in rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) blood. We show that unlike mRNAs and circRNAs, highly expressed lncRNAs are abundant in the key period of aging and related to cancer pathways. Through comparative analysis, we found that exosomal proteins constitute the main components of serum proteins, and SDEs regulate aging mainly through metabolic pathways. Finally, we discovered 8 candidate aging biomarkers that could serve as blood biomarkers to detect brain aging. Taken together, our results provide a comprehensive understanding of transcriptomes and proteomes in NHP blood and novel insights into the aging mechanism for preventing or treating age-related diseases.