Under pathological conditions in a podocyte‐specific CCN2 transgenic diabetes mouse model, podocyte‐produced CCN2 (also known as CTGF or connective tissue growth factor) inhibits the degradation of the extracellular matrix formed by mesangial cells, subsequently leading to the accumulation of mesangial matrix and glomerulosclerosis [383]. Here, CCN2 is linked to diabetes mellitus.