A single short reprogramming early in life improves fitness and increases lifespan in old age

Abstract

Forced and maintained expression of four transcription factors OCT4, SOX2, KLF4 and c-MYC (OSKM), can reprogram somatic cells into induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) and a limited OSKM induction is able to rejuvenate the cell physiology without changing the cell identity. We therefore sought to determine if a burst of OSKM might improve tissue fitness and delay age-related pathologies in a whole animal. For this, we used a sensitive model of heterozygous premature aging mice carrying just one mutated Lamin A allele producing progerin. We briefly treated two months-young heterozygotes mice with OSKM and monitored their natural age-related deterioration by various health parameters. Surprisingly, a single two and a half weeks reprogramming was sufficient to improve body composition and functional capacities, over the entire lifespan. Mice treated early in life had improved tissue structures in bone, lung, spleen, kidney and skin, with an increased lifespan of 15%, associated to a differential DNA methylation signature. Altogether, our results indicate that a single short reprogramming early in life might initiate and propagate an epigenetically related rejuvenated cell physiology, to promote a healthy lifespan. One Sentence summary A single short reprogramming early in life rejuvenates cell physiology, improves body composition, tissue fitness and increases lifespan in elderly.