TNF and diabetic kidney disease: The pathogenesis of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) begins with vascular endothelial damage, mesangial cell proliferation and matrix expansion due to hyperglycemic hyperfiltration, advanced glycosylation of tissue protein and cytokines release, e.g., interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) [5].