Multi-omics identification of activated T cells and spatial PD-1/PD-L1 signaling as biomarkers of diabetic foot ulcer healing.

ABSTRACT: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a common and debilitating complication of diabetes, and amputations from non-healing ulcers carry high morbidity and mortality. A critical need exists for biomarkers that can identify healing potential early and guide targeted interventions. To address this, we applied an integrated multi-omics approach across four patient cohorts comprising 51 DFUs (29 Healing, 22 Non-healing). Bulk RNA-sequencing revealed marked activation of Th1 and Th2 pathways (activation z-score +4.8, p = 3.8×10^-15), and immune cell deconvolution predicted higher proportions of T cell populations in Healers. Spatial proteomics in a second cohort identified elevated CD3⁺ T cell density and selective enrichment of PD-1 and PD-L1 expression in vascular niches of the

SUBMITTER: Bilik SM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12642580 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature