Researchers at the Buck Institute, UNC Chapel Hill, and Biognosys apply data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry to characterize exosome cargo—proteins, lipids, and miRNAs—from senescent lung fibroblasts and human plasma cohorts. They discover distinct and overlapping age-associated signatures, including secreted extracellular matrix remodelers, inflammatory factors, and membrane lipids, unveiling potential biomarkers for monitoring senescence burden and guiding anti-aging interventions.

Key points

• SEC/UF enrichment combined with DIA-MS reveals >1,300 exosome proteins and 247 lipids altered by senescence in human lung fibroblasts and plasma cohorts.
• Senescence inducers (IR, doxorubicin, MiDAS) yield shared exosomal SASP factors including SERPIN family proteins, extracellular matrix remodelers, and inflammatory mediators.
• Age-regulated plasma exosomes display 171 differentially abundant proteins—such as SERPINA1 and LRG1—and unique miRNA cargo, highlighting candidate biomarkers of biological aging.

Why it matters: Mapping exosome cargo across senescence models and human plasma uncovers robust molecular markers of aging, offering new diagnostic tools and targets for anti-aging therapies.