The fusion protein consisting of TGFBR2 ectodomain and human immunoglobulin Fc domain was utilized and shown to attenuate the development of kidney disease in several experimental models that include anti-Thy1 GN, anti-GBM GN, diabetic nephropathy, and Alport syndrome 40, 123, 132, 142. The gene discussed is THY1; the disease is diabetic kidney disease.