Organismal Aging

Aging has traditionally been viewed as a cell-autonomous process driven by the accumulation of molecular damage within individual cells. However, accumulating evidence over the past decade indicates that aging represents a systemic phenomenon in which circulating blood plasma plays a dual role as both a “mirror” of physiological state and an active “modulator” of aging and rejuvenation processes. This review presents a comprehensive analysis of current research demonstrating: (1) the ability to accurately assess biological age using proteomic aging clocks based on analysis of hundreds of plasma proteins, validated in diverse population cohorts; (2) the predictive value of proteomic age for major age-related diseases, multimorbidity, and mortality; (3) experimental evidence for systemic transmission of aging phenotypes through circulating factors derived from heterochronic parabiosis and blood exchange models; (4) mechanisms by which pro-geronic and anti-geronic blood factors modulate cellular senescence(definition), inflammation, and tissue regenerative potential. Particular attention is given to the translational potential of strategies aimed at modulating the systemic environment—from therapeutic plasma exchange to identification of specific protein targets for pharmacological intervention. Based on critical analysis of the literature, a conceptual framework is proposed for understanding organismal aging as a dynamic, reversibly modulable process that opens new avenues for extending healthspan(definition).