Conserved Master Regulators Orchestrate Cellular Reprogramming-Induced Rejuvenation

Abstract

Partial somatic cell reprogramming has been proposed as a rejuvenation strategy, yet the regulatory architecture orchestrating age reversal remains unclear. Here, we performed gene regulatory network reconstruction across several independent systems to identify master regulators that coordinate reprogramming-induced rejuvenation (RIR). In mouse mesenchymal stem cells, mouse adipocytes, and human fibroblasts undergoing partial reprogramming, we identified genes showing opposite expression dynamics during aging and reprogramming. This approach revealed regulators governing rejuvenation rather than developmental programs. Despite divergent overall network architectures, nine transcription factors converged as master regulators across all three systems, including Ezh2, Parp1, and Brca1. These regulators undergo coordinated reorganization during reprogramming, characterized by broader target engagement and enhanced regulatory coherence. We further demonstrated that direct perturbation of Ezh2 bidirectionally modulates transcriptomic age. Notably, overexpression of a catalytically inactive Ezh2 mutant achieved rejuvenation, suggesting mechanisms distinct from canonical H3K27me3-mediated regulation are involved in RIR. Our findings reveal that cellular rejuvenation is orchestrated by conserved master regulators whose network coordination can be targeted independently of the reprogramming process.