The coming of age for polycystic kidney disease.

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease leads to cyst formation and interstitial fibrosis in the kidney, with limited therapeutic options. A recent study demonstrates that polycystic kidney disease is characterized by the presence of senescence in the affected epithelial cells. This autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease-associated senescence establishes a new perspective on disease progression and the paracrine impact of cystic epithelial cells. Most importantly, the senescence-associated secretory phenotype present in cystic kidney epithelial cells provides a novel therapeutic angle.