Reprogramming Factors Activate a Non-Canonical Oxidative Resilience Pathway That Can Rejuvenate RPEs and Restore Vision

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Oct4, Sox2, and Klf4 (OSK) Yamanaka factors induce pluripotency and reverse age-related epigenetic changes, yet the mechanisms by which they promote rejuvenation remain poorly explored. Oxidative stress contributes to CNS aging and retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) degeneration in age-related macular degeneration. We find that OSK expression in RPE restores retinal structure and visual function in aged mice and promotes oxidative resilience through a non-canonical, Tet2-independent pathway. Integrative functional genomics identifies GSTA4, a detoxifying enzyme that clears the lipid peroxidation byproduct 4-HNE, as a necessary and sufficient OSK effector. Dynamic GSTA4 regulation by OSK recapitulates a stem cell derived stress resilience program. GSTA4 overexpression alone enhances mitochondrial resilience, rejuvenates the aged RPE transcriptome, and reverses visual decline. GSTA4 is consistently upregulated across diverse lifespan-extending interventions suggesting a broader pro-longevity role. These findings uncover a previously unrecognized protective axis driven by Yamanaka factors that circumvents reprogramming, providing therapeutic insights for age-related diseases. HIGHLIGHTS: OSK-GSTA4 provides a dynamic, Tet2-independent stress-resilience axis.Functional genomics pinpoints GSTA4 as a direct downstream effector activated by OSK.RPE aging involves progressive accumulation of 4-HNE that can be detoxified by GSTA4.Enhancing GSTA4 rejuvenates RPE cells, restores vision and is associated with lifespan-extending interventions.

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