High p16INK4a, a marker of cellular senescence, is associated with renal injury, impairment and outcome in lupus nephritis.

We demonstrate, for the first time, that LN biopsies characterised by renal impairment display increased p16INK4a-positive cells, associated with higher fibrosis and CD8+ T cell infiltration. Cellular senescence may represent a kidney-intrinsic disease mechanism and potentially, a novel therapeutic target in LN.