A Mendelian randomization study on the causal association of circulating cytokines with diabetic nephropathy.

Summary: People with diabetes sometimes develop kidney damage, a condition known as diabetic nephropathy. Scientists have noticed that certain immune system proteins, called cytokines, are often found in high levels in these patients. But do these proteins actually cause the kidney damage, or are they just a side effect?

To find out, researchers looked at the DNA of thousands of people. They found that having genes that naturally make more of three specific cytokines actually increases the risk of getting kidney damage. Interestingly, one other cytokine seems to protect the kidneys and lower the risk. This exciting genetic discovery proves that these proteins play a direct role in the disease, which could help doctors create new medicines to protect the kidneys of people with diabetes.