Visualizing the Epigenetic Landscape of Aging and Cellular Reprogramming: Optimized ATAC-see for Cells and Tissues

Abstract

Spatial chromatin organization dictates cellular function and resilience, yet scalable imaging methods to quantify chromatin states in situ across aging and interventions are lacking. While ATAC-see can visualize accessible chromatin, its broader application is hindered by protocol variability, low throughput, and incompatibility with complex tissues. Here, we systematically optimize the ATAC-see workflow for robust, high-throughput quantitative imaging in fixed, adherent mammalian cells and fresh frozen tissues. We validate the platforms sensitivity to pharmacologic remodeling and apply it to replicative, chronological, and pathological aging in primary human fibroblasts, revealing progressive age-associated chromatin opening and heterochromatin remodeling. Furthermore, we demonstrate that our optimized ATAC-see captures rapid, reversible chromatin reorganization during OSK(M)-driven partial reprogramming of aged fibroblasts. Finally, we extend a cost-effective and accessible protocol to murine tissue sections, quantifying in situ age-dependent remodeling. This standardized framework establishes chromatin accessibility as a highly scalable, sequencing-compatible imaging biomarker for evaluating aging and rejuvenation. Summary StatementATAC-see was optimized for scalable, quantitative imaging of chromatin remodeling during aging and cellular reprogramming, and extended to characterize age-associated epigenetic changes across organs.