Chromatin reorganization drives expression of functional maturation genes in senescent pancreatic beta cells (Series1 - Transcriptome)

Using a unique model of cultured human beta cell senescence we show that chromatin reorganization leads to activation of enhancers regulating functional maturation genes, concomitantly with acquisition of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion capacity. Interferon-response genes are elevated in senescent beta cells, but cytokine-encoding senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) genes are not. Human beta cell senescence thus involves chromatin-driven upregulation of a functional maturation program and of interferon-stimulated genes, changes that could increase both insulin secretion and immune reactivity.