Nicolas A, et al. - The links between allelic variations of T-cadherin gene (CDH13) and diabetic nephropathy (DN) were investigated in patients with type 1 diabetes. In this population, plasma adiponectin levels are found to be related to the prevalence of DN and the incidence of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Furthermore, an association of CDH13 polymorphisms with the prevalence and incidence of DN as well as with the incidence of ESRD was reported in these subjects. Data indicated that the link between CDH13 and DN may be due to pleiotropic impacts, both dependent and independent of plasma adiponectin levels.