Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, a pro‐inflammatory cytokine, plays an important role in some cellular responses, such as inflammation and cell death.9 A recent has shown that TNF‐α induce podocyte apoptosis.10 On the other hand, inhibition of the TNF‐α activity presents protective effects on glomerulosclerosis and on podocyte apoptosis.11 This evidence concerns the gene TNF and glomerulosclerosis.