In this review, we discuss the role of some novel and key pro-inflammatory signaling pathways in the progression of DKD, such as the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway, toll-like receptors (TLRs) and myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (TLRs/MyD88) signaling pathway, adenosine 5′-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathways, inflammasome activation, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) release and hypoxia-inducible factor-1(HIF) signaling pathway. The gene discussed is NFKB1; the disease is diabetic kidney disease.