Development and characterization of experimental β-cell senescence models revealing autophagy defects and altered stimulus-secretion coupling

Aging is a major contributor to β-cell dysfunction in type 2 diabetes, with cellular senescence increasingly recognized as an important underlying mechanism. Here, we established a doxorubicin (DOX)-induced senescence model using MIN6 mouse insulinoma β-cell line to elucidate the mechanisms by which senescence remodels organelle homeostasis and Insulin secretion. Senescence was validated by senescence-associated β-galactosidase positivity, p16^INK4a/p21/p53 upregulation, and cell cycle arrest. Using mitochondrial MitoTimer and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 8-enhanced green fluorescent protein-mCherry reporters, along with a custom Insulin-Timer construct, we visualized organelle aging and assessed β-cell functions via glucose-stimulated Insulin secretion, Insulin content, mitochondrial membrane potential, CA²⁺ imaging, and Reactive Oxygen Species production analyses. Senescent β-cells accumulated mitochondria and Insulin granules with prolonged residence time since synthesis and exhibited defective clearance and exaggerated mitochondrial hyperpolarization accompanied by altered CA²⁺ influx and enhanced Reactive Oxygen Species production upon glucose stimulation. Despite the reduced Insulin content, secretion normalized to storage was disproportionately enhanced, suggesting remodeled stimulus-secretion coupling; similar findings were also observed in the p16^INK4a/p21/p53 overexpression model. This study provides evidence that DOX-induced β-cell senescence serves as a surrogate model linking DNA damage to impaired mitochondrial and Insulin granule clearance. By mimicking aspects of age-related β-cell dysfunction, this model highlighted Autophagy defects as drivers of organelle retention and provided insights into the mechanisms by which senescence reshapes stimulus-secretion coupling, thereby enhancing our understanding of β-cell senescence in diabetes. Importantly, this experimentally tractable model provides a platform to test interventions targeting senescent-cell burden or senescence-associated dysfunction and to dissect mechanisms of β-cell functional remodeling.

Aging-related diabetes; Autophagy; Beta-cell senescence; DNA damage model; Insulin granule retention; Mitochondrial dysfunction.