Using a pathway-focused microarray, we extensively compared the expression levels of inflammatory cytokines, cell cycle regulating factors, cell adhesion molecules and extracellular matrix molecules in c-kit+ bone marrow stem cells from diabetic mice and normal healthy mice, and we then attempted to further uncover the complex molecular mechanisms responsible for the diabetes-associated functional impairment of bone marrow stem cells. The gene discussed is KIT; the disease is diabetes mellitus.