Here, we demonstrate how hypoxic injury and IL-1β/IL-1RI signalling act in combination to induce: (i) PTEC senescence via cell cycle arrest in G2/M phase; and (ii) a potential pro-fibrogenic (TGF-β1/TGFβR1) signalling cascade with capacity to mediate tubulointerstitial fibrosis in human CKD. This evidence concerns the gene IL1B and chronic kidney disease.