P2Y2R contributes to the development of diabetic nephropathy by inhibiting autophagy response

•P2Y2R deficiency in mice with diabetic nephropathy:•Ameliorates plasma and urinary markers of kidney injury.•Attenuates glomerular sclerosis and podocyte loss.•Attenuates tubular cell apoptosis and interstitial fibrosis.•Improves autophagic response by increasing autophagy flux and its regulatory proteins.•Modulates AKT-mediated FOXO3a phosphorylation and SIRT1 and FOXO3a expression.