Accumulating evidence shows that the formation and activation of Nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome in podocytes may instigate glomerular inflammation and lead to ultimate glomerular sclerosis in response to pathological stimuli such as hyperhomocysteinemia (hHcy), obesity and DM (Yi et al., 2006; Abais et al., 2013, 2014a). The gene discussed is NLRP3; the disease is glomerulosclerosis.