In the context of diabetic nephropathy, the NF-κB signaling pathway is activated, increasing the release of downstream pro-inflammatory factors such as TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1, and IL-18, recruiting monocytes, macrophages, and lymphocytes into the renal tissue, triggering an inflammatory cascade reaction and aggravating renal damage in diabetic nephropathy. The gene discussed is IL18; the disease is diabetic kidney disease.