β‐Cell senescence in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes increases with aging, and the type 2 diabetes developing in the elderly is often accompanied by a gradual impairment of β‐cell function and reduced β‐cell mass along with aging. However, the contribution of β‐cell senescence to the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes remains uncertain. In a recent Cell Metabolism article, Aguayo‐Mazzucato et al. described their efforts to identify the signatures of senescent β‐cells, and explored the role(s) of senescent β‐cells in type 2 diabetes.[Image: see text]