The results showed that semaphorin 3C (SEMA3C) secreted by MCs induced GECs injury via Neuropilin 1 (NRP1)/Neuropilin 2 (NRP2), modulating crosstalk in the early DKD glomerular microenvironment and promoting endothelial-mesenchymal transition in glomerular endothelial cells. Here, NRP1 is linked to diabetic kidney disease.