Reverse aging to treat lupus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disease with multifaceted pathogenetic processes, including abnormalities of T-cell subset distribution and function. Accumulation of senescent CD4⁺ T cells has been found to contribute to the development of the disease. In this issue, Jiang et al. provide compelling evidence that links an expanded pool of CD4⁺CD57⁺ senescent T cells in patients with SLE to disease activity favored by interleukin-15. Importantly, treatment of lupus-prone mice with a senolytic drug resulted in decreased autoimmune pathology. The findings of this study suggest possible novel therapeutics to treat patients with SLE.