Rejuvenation Potential of Developmental Genes Downregulated in Aging

Jun 9, 2026International journal of stem cells

Rejuvenation Potential of Genes Active in Development That Decrease with Aging

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Abstract

Four rejuvenation induction factors (RIFs) were identified that may offer a safer alternative to Yamanaka factors for reversing cellular aging.

  • RIFs were isolated based on genes that are downregulated with aging and upregulated during development.
  • The identified RIFs are linked to ribosome biogenesis, mitochondrial import, translational regulation, and serine metabolism.
  • In aged fibroblasts, RIF expression led to a reduction in senescence markers.
  • RIFs increased gene expression patterns that are inversely associated with changes typically seen in aging.
  • These RIFs do not activate pluripotency-associated programs, suggesting a different mechanism than Yamanaka factors.

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