Numerous studies have demonstrated that tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), MCP-1 and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) participate in different inflammatory states associated with renal diseases, including ischaemia/reperfusion injury [37], kidney transplantation [38], diabetic nephropathy [39] and hypertensive renal damage [40]. The gene discussed is IL1B; the disease is diabetic kidney disease.