NOTCH1 and glomerulosclerosis: In DKD, the interaction between the neurogenic locus notch homolog protein 1 (Notch-1) and NF-κB signaling pathways causes macrophage polarization, resulting in increased cytokine secretion (IL-1β, TNF-α, etc.), which in turn increases the proliferation of MCs, matrix secretion, and glomerulosclerosis.