Local and systemic impact of adipocyte senescence-associated secretory profile

Abstract

Obesity has become one of the most prevalent diseases worldwide. The accumulation of fat mass is associated with an increased risk of numerous comorbidities. Despite this, the precise mechanisms by which unhealthy fat cells contribute to the dysfunction of various tissues throughout the body remain poorly understood. Recently, cellular senescence in adipocytes has emerged as a significant factor in the pathological consequences of obesity. Here we review current knowledge regarding senescence in adipose tissue and adipocytes. We highlight the known mechanisms driving cellular senescence in mature adipocytes during obesity and summarize the deleterious crosstalk between senescent adipocytes and neighboring cells (as well as distant organs) as mediated by the senescence-associated secretory phenotype.