TGFB1 and Hyperglycemia: Several studies have found that LPS or other factors, such as polymeric immunoglobulin A1 (pIgA1) and hyperglycemia, can activate mesangial cells to produce pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-6, transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1), TNF-α and NO [20–22].