Over-activation of the ATF6 pathway may impair renal cell function and survival through the following mechanisms: (1) Exacerbation of inflammatory responses: Zhu et al. demonstrated that (+)-catechin reduces the activation of ER stress-related NLRP3 inflammasome by downregulating ATF6 and other ER stress-related factors, thereby alleviating DN injury74. This evidence concerns the gene NLRP3 and liver dysplastic nodule.