Identification of fecal microbiome signatures associated with longevity through 16S rRNA sequencing in different age groups in China

The gut microbiota plays a key role in aging and longevity. Therefore, identifying longevity-associated microbes in healthy and long-lived individuals and elucidating the molecular mechanisms through which they influence longevity are essential steps toward developing effective anti-aging interventions. In this study, we performed 16S rRNA sequencing on 301 fecal samples collected across three age groups. Long-lived individuals (≥ 90 years) had more diverse gut microbiota than typical older individuals (60-89 years), with diversity comparable to that of younger adults (45-59 years). Compared with typical older individuals, long-lived individuals exhibited a marked increase in the relative abundance of Bacteroidota and Akkermansia, accompanied by a decreased abundance of Prevotella_9 and Megamonas. Additionally, the microbiota from this age group showed significant enrichment in unsaturated fatty acid metabolism, ketone body synthesis and degradation, and tryptophan metabolism, suggesting that differences in microbiota composition and function may contribute to longevity. Finally, we developed a qPCR-based method to detect differentially abundant microbiota and established a classification model capable of distinguishing between age groups. In conclusion, the unique composition and function of the gut microbiota in long-lived individuals offer insights for identifying methods and targets for anti-aging interventions. KEY POINTS: • Long-lived individuals exhibited a marked increase in Bacteroidota and Akkermansia • Long-lived individuals exhibited enrichment in unsaturated fatty acid metabolism • We developed a qPCR-based method to detect differentially abundant microbiota.