Eye Molecular Age Determined First Time
In a groundbreaking feat, a team spearheaded by Vinit Mahajan, an Indian-American surgeon, has successfully cataloged nearly 6,000 proteins from diverse cell types within the eye. Extracted from tiny drops of eye fluid during surgeries, these proteins were utilized to devise a “proteomic clock” via an AI model capable of gauging a person’s age based on their unique protein profile.
The study, published in Cell, disclosed that ailments like diabetic retinopathy and uveitis induce an expedited aging process within specific eye cell types. Remarkably, the team identified proteins linked with Parkinson’s disease within the eye fluid, potentially opening avenues for early diagnosis of Parkinson’s.
Mahajan, also a professor at Stanford University, emphasized the significance of observing real-time disease progression within the eye. By utilizing high-resolution techniques, his team identified an unprecedented 5,953 proteins, enabling them to link each protein to particular cell types using their bespoke software, TEMPO.
The study underscored that diseases are correlated with notable molecular aging, with diabetic retinopathy leading to accelerated aging up to 30 years in severe cases. These findings imply that aging might occur at varying rates among different organs or cells, holding promise for precision medicine advancements and targeted anti-aging therapies.
Mahajan and his team anticipate that patient reclassification based on molecular patterns and affected cell types can elevate the efficacy of clinical trials and refine drug selection, offering a new frontier in personalized, preventive healthcare.
Re-reported from the article originally published in The Lokmat Times English
