Not only were CD44-positive PEC observed in higher numbers in iPec-Cd9wt/wt DOCA mice, but the number of CD44 + PEC also strongly correlated with the number of abnormal glomeruli (R = 0.89) and glomerulosclerosis (R = 0.90) (Fig. 4i–k). This evidence concerns the gene CD44 and glomerulosclerosis.