Multi-omics integration identifies macrophage senescence driven by the RUNX1-P53 axis as a key mechanism in diabetic...

Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a severe complication of diabetes, characterized by chronic inflammation and impaired healing. Although cellular and immunosenescence are associated with chronic wounds, the specific cell types, regulatory mechanisms, and pathological consequences within the DFU microenvironment remain poorly defined. We conducted an integrative multi-omics analysis combining bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing data from human DFU and control tissues. The novel macrophage senescence score (MSS) was constructed by integrating aging-related genome-wide association studies signals with DFU-specific transcriptional signatures. Machine learning was used to identify key regulators. Functional validation was conducted in high glucose-stimulated human macrophages in vitro. Our single-cell atlas revealed macrophages as the most prominently senescent stromal cell population in DFUs. These senescent macrophages exhibited a distinct pro-inflammatory senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) and engaged in aberrant intercellular communication, notably enhancing the C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 8 (CXCL8) - atypical chemokine receptor 1 (ACKR1) signaling axis to endothelial cells. We developed and validated a disease-relevant MSS, which demonstrated superior predictive value for DFU. Mechanistically, the transcription factor runt-related transcription factor 1 (RUNX1) was identified as the top feature. Functional assays established that RUNX1, upregulated under diabetic conditions, and is associated with promoted P53 acetylation. This study establishes macrophage senescence as a central pathological mechanism in DFU, propelled by the RUNX1-P53 acetylation axis. We define its role in disrupting the wound microenvironment through aberrant SASP and cell crosstalk. The findings provide a novel predictive tool MSS and a precise molecular target with implications for prognostication and therapy.