Since a recent study demonstrated that LRG1 secreted by epithelial cells exacerbates fibrosis in a mouse model of kidney obstruction by amplifying the TGFβ/Smad3 signalling in resident fibroblasts [68], it is reasonable to speculate that a similar mechanism may occur in the fibrotic stage of diabetic and, in general, chronic kidney disease overall. Here, LRG1 is linked to chronic kidney disease.