Renal cortex gene expression analysis of selected pathways involved in the pathogenesis of DN is shown in Fig. 6A. Several genes involved in TGF-beta signaling, fibrosis and inflammation, and angiogenesis were upregulated, while the expression of genes involved in the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system was downregulated (Fig. 6A). The gene discussed is REN; the disease is liver dysplastic nodule.