Previously, autophagy had been considered to be crucial in maintaining podocyte homeostasis,4 which was altered in diabetic conditions.5 Apelin had been reported to inhibit cell autophagy as a pro-survival mechanism,21 the effects of apelin on podocyte autophagy are not sufficiently addressed.18, 21 In this study, it is revealed that apelin promoted proteinuria in DN by inhibiting podocyte autophagy both in vivo and in vitro. The gene discussed is APLN; the disease is liver dysplastic nodule.