Electrical stimulation promotes longevity and regeneration in a colonial chordate

Abstract

Endogenous bioelectric currents regulate development and regeneration, but their influence on organismal longevity and stem cell–mediated repair is not well understood. We demonstrate that a brief, clinically safe pulse of electrical current (PEC) produces lasting rejuvenation in the colonial chordate Botryllus schlosseri . In this species where all differentiated tissues are replaced weekly and progenitor populations mediate the weekly de novo generation of new organs, organismal aging is directly driven by alterations of the precursor pool. Electrically stimulated colonies exhibited increased growth, enhanced reproductive activity, and significantly improved survival, along with improved stem cell associated function. Whole-transcriptome analysis revealed a biphasic “reboot and rebound” program across all functional paths. An acute 2-h “reboot” was defined by the synchronized downregulation of the genomic engine, mitochondrial respiratory chain, contractile apparatus, and extracellular matrix (ECM) integrity. This systemic pause transitioned into a massive 24-h “rebound”, characterized by the global reactivation of these paths, including a metabolic surge, cytoskeletal rebuilding, and ECM scaffold synthesis. Notably, PEC induced a conserved immunometabolic shift from a proinflammatory to a reparative signature, mimicking exercise-induced shifts observed in mammals. Our findings identify that PEC acts directly on progenitor-cell-driven pathways to restore homeostatic vitality, offering insights into the reversal of age-related decline.