Electrical Stimulation Rejuvenates Tunicates: Altered Stem Cell and Immune Activity.

Area of Science:

• Bioelectricity
• Regenerative Medicine
• Aging Research

Background:

• Organismal rejuvenation and enhanced environmental resistance are critical needs.
• While bioelectric currents are vital in development and show regenerative potential, a robust model for longevity and fertility is lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a model for organismal rejuvenation and improved vitality using pulsatile electrical current (PEC).
• To investigate the mechanistic insights of PEC treatment in a colonial chordate model.

Main Methods:

• Utilized pulsatile electrical current (PEC) on the colonial chordate *Botryllus schlosseri*.
• Performed transcriptomic analysis to identify molecular pathways affected by PEC.
• Assessed improvements in survival, morphology, regeneration, and reproduction.

Main Results:

• PEC treatment significantly enhanced survival, morphological integrity, stem cell-mediated regeneration, and gonad production.
• Transcriptomic analysis revealed significant pathway alterations in cellular metabolism, cell cycle, stem cell activity, DNA repair, and immune modulation.
• PEC-induced gene expression patterns mirrored exercise-induced responses in mammalian immune cells, correlating with increased immune cell populations.

Conclusions:

• PEC offers a robust method to improve longevity, vitality, and reproduction in *Botryllus schlosseri*.
• PEC treatment modulates key cellular processes, including metabolism and immune response, providing mechanistic insights.
• These findings suggest PEC as a novel strategy for promoting healthy aging and organismal survival.