In mesangial cells, TGF-β activates GLUT1, leading to increased glucose flow and activation of pathways that further stimulates TGF-β synthesis, which in turn leads to amplification cycle between GLUT1 and TGF-β stimulating the progression of glomerulosclerosis, glomerular hypertension, and changes in mesangial cell phenotype. The gene discussed is TGFB1; the disease is glomerulosclerosis.