This finding is in line with the critical role of β-catenin inactivation in a series of studies.42, 43 It is also consistent with our previous study illustrating the inhibitory effect of miR-27a/PPARγ axis in renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis in DN.44 In glomerular mesangial cells, miR-27a has been reported to induce progression of DN by targeting PPARγ. This evidence concerns the gene PPARG and liver dysplastic nodule.