Latent TGF-β1 attenuates kidney function in streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetic mice. Mice were euthanized 16 weeks after diabetes induction, and renal tissues were collected. (A) Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining and score. Mesangial matrix expansion in glomeruli and the thickening of the glomerular basement membrane were observed. (B) Masson's trichrome staining and semi-quantification. Extracellular matrix deposition is shown in blue. (C) Microalbuminuria, and (D) Blood glucose levels in diabetic mice over 16 weeks. DM, diabetes mellitus. WT, latent TGF-β1 wild-type mice. Tg, latent TGF-β1 transgenic mice. Data represent the means ± SEM for groups of six animals. Scale bar: 50 µm. **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001 versus normal mice; #P < 0.05, ###P < 0.001 versus WT DM mice.