The previous studies explored the mechanisms of podocyte autophagy in DN and suggested that activated podocyte autophagy has an effect on DN through an Atg12-Atg5 conjugation system, mTOR, adenosine 5′-monophosphate- (AMP-) activated protein kinase (AMPK), and oxidative stress as well as vascular endothelial growth factor. Here, ATG12 is linked to liver dysplastic nodule.