C3 and liver dysplastic nodule: C3 was significantly overexpressed in the kidney tissue of patients with advanced DN (macroalbuminuria and eGFR <90 ml/min/1.73 m2) compared with those with early DN (microalbuminuria and eGFR >90 ml/min/1.73 m2) and healthy controls (p < 0.001; Figure 7B).