Role of Inflammation in the Pathogenesis of Diabetic Nephropathy

Diabetic nephropathy is the major microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus and remains the leading cause of increased morbidity and mortality for diabetic patients. Recent evidence suggests that chronic subclinical inflammation is a key pathogenetic mechanism of the disease. Pro-inflammatory cytokines and particularly tumor necrosis factor and its receptors appear to play a major role in the process and are emerging novel biomarkers of the development and progression of diabetic nephopathy. Moreover, manipulation of the TNF superfamily system will hopefully provide a new therapeutic option for the disease.