TP53 and endothelial dysfunction: Indeed, premature endothelial senescence as indicated by an increased SA‐β‐gal positive staining is observed in the aorta of diabetic rats in particular at sites of disturbed blood flow such as bifurcations and branches.17, 18 Since the expression of the senescence marker p53 in the endothelium promotes blunted endothelium‐dependent relaxations in rat aortic rings,31 the induction of endothelial senescence appears to be an early key event triggering endothelial dysfunction.