TNF and lupus nephritis: Circulating tumor necrosis factor receptor levels have been shown to be correlated with interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy in kidney biopsies, regardless of renal function; in addition, they were predictive of renal progression in 347 IgA-N cases confirmed by biopsy, indicating a role of the TNF pathway in this type of glomerulonephritis, which has been demonstrated in other chronic kidney diseases, such as diabetes or lupus nephritis [30].