To determine whether STAT3 signaling pathway is involved in DKD, TRIM18 was successfully overexpressed in HK-2 cells (Supplementary Figures S2A–C), and then these HK-2 cells were treated with a STAT3 inhibitor, niclosamide (Nic, 10 μM), to verify the involvement of STAT3 signaling. Here, STAT3 is linked to diabetic kidney disease.