Klessens CQF, et al. – The presence and phenotype of glomerular and interstitial macrophages in relation to clinical and histopathological parameters in patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN), were examined. The presence of macrophages in the glomeruli and interstitium of type 2 diabetic patients with DN and of controls were observed. Glomerular anti–inflammatory CD163+ macrophages were associated with pathological lesions in DN. However, patients and controls had similar numbers of glomerular macrophages. In view of the correlation between interstitial macrophages and interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy, DN class, and renal function, this study suggested the possible role of macrophages in DN progression, and highlighted it as a promising new therapy for inhibiting the progression of DN.