Human immune aging clock identifies RUNX1 as a decelerator of T cell senescence

Immunity. 2026 Apr 14;59(4):1039-1057.e11. doi: 10.1016/j.immuni.2026.02.007.

Abstract

Immunosenescence drives organismal aging, yet quantifying its heterogeneity to uncover therapeutic targets remains challenging. We construct a human immune aging clock from single-cell multi-omics data of nearly 1.2 million human peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 230 individuals, precisely mapping immune aging. T cell (TC) transcriptomes are key predictors, revealing hallmarks such as naive cell loss and clonal contraction. This framework identifies the transcription factor RUNX1, whose expression declines with age in TCs, as a central regulator. Functional studies demonstrate that RUNX1 deletion in young TCs induces senescence, while its restoration in aged CD8+ TCs alleviates senescent phenotypes in vitro and in vivo. Our study provides a quantitative tool for assessing immunosenescence and nominates RUNX1 as a target for rejuvenating aged immunity.

Keywords: RUNX1; T cell receptor; T cell senescence; immune aging clock; immunosenescence; inflammaging; rejuvenation.

MeSH terms

  • Aging* / immunology
  • Animals
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes* / immunology
  • Cellular Senescence / immunology
  • Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit* / genetics
  • Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit* / immunology
  • Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit* / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Immunosenescence* / immunology
  • Mice
  • T-Cell Senescence* / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes* / immunology

Substances

  • Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit
  • RUNX1 protein, human