Based on our initial in-vitro data showing reduced ATF4 expression promoted apoptosis and reduced HO-1 expression in podocytes exposed to serum from DN mice, we performed in-vivo study using DN mouse model to study the therapeutic effects of HO-1 agonist hemin to determine its role in podocyte apoptosis and autophagy. The gene discussed is ATF4; the disease is liver dysplastic nodule.