The GSE72326 dataset [lupus nephritis (LN), n=48; ANCA-associated nephritis, n=10; focal segmental sclerosis (FSGS), n = 3; IgA nephropathy (IgAN), n = 5; microscopic disease (MCD), n =3] was used to validate the specificity of these DEGs for DKD diagnosis, except for HCAR3, which was excluded from the analysis as it was not found in the dataset. Here, HCAR3 is linked to focal segmental glomerulosclerosis.