Mitigating interference between access nodes in a wireless network includes determining interference caused to uplink signals received at a first access node by downlink signals transmitted from a second access node, and adjusting a guard period of a special subframe utilized by one or both of access nodes based on determining the interference, by switching special subframe formats to include a longer guard period. Overall interference is mitigated based on mutually-experienced propagation delay, and channel reciprocity. Adjustments are associated with known distances between access nodes.