WGCNA and machine learning identify autophagy and senescence signature genes in osteoarthritis chondrocytes

• Identified 26 autophagy- and senescence-related differentially expressed genes in osteoarthritis via bioinformatics and machine learning. • Six key genes (UBE2I, RPS6KB1, IL2RB, YEATS4, H4C8, TLR3) were screened with AUC > 0.8, showing high diagnostic value. • Immune infiltration analysis revealed significant changes in immune cell proportions in osteoarthritic cartilage, including increased M1 macrophages and decreased M2 macrophages. • TLR3 and IL2RB were validated as potential key genes and therapeutic targets for osteoarthritis.