As a component of the ECM, lumican plays a role in collagen fiber formation, interacts with transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), and contributes to renal cell death in DN by promoting glomerulosclerosis and renal tubular fibrosis [56, 57], aligning with our enrichment analysis findings. The gene discussed is TGFB1; the disease is glomerulosclerosis.