Correlation and subgroup analyses of pivotal genes associated with the clinical features of DN showed that ALB, ANXA1, APOH, C3, CCL19, COL1A2, COL3A1, COL4A1, COL6A3, CXCL6, DCN, EGF, HRG, KNG1, LUM, SERPINA3, SPARC, SRGN, and TIMP1 may all be involved in diabetic renal tubular interstitial injury (41). This evidence concerns the gene ALB and liver dysplastic nodule.