Agonists of AMPK (AICAR and metformin) have been shown to provide protective effects in alleviating podocyte injury in mouse models of type 1 diabetes.42,45 Although there has been no SP1-targeting therapy for DN, its therapeutic potential is supported by genetic epidemiology data implicating its role in the pathogenesis of both type 1 and type 2 diabetic kidney injury. This evidence concerns the gene SP1 and type 1 diabetes mellitus.