Autophagy plays important roles in the physiology and pathogenesis of several kidney diseases, such as ischemia‐reperfusion or nephrotoxins induced acute kidney injury (AKI),1, 2, 3, 34, 35 diabetic nephropathy,5 and glomerular disease.36 Previous studies have indicated that VEGF‐C/NRP–2 axis was involved in regulating autophagy and promoting survival of cancer cells under chemotherapy treatment.24 However, whether VEGF‐C/NRP–2 participate in regulate autophagy in renal tubular epithelial cells is still unknown. This evidence concerns the gene NRP2 and acute kidney injury.