These data were corroborated by ChIP-qPCR assays, showing that binding of HMGA1 to the endogenous VEGFA locus was considerably decreased in whole, intact HepG2 and ARPE-19 cells exposed to HMGA1 siRNA, either in normoxia or hypoxia (Fig. 3b), thus confirming the essential role of HMGA1 in VEGFA expression, and supporting the notion that a deficit of HMGA1 as that observed in type 2 diabetic patients with the HMGA1 rs139876191 may protect against hypoxia-induced damages, including PDR, and perhaps other VEGFA-related diabetic complications. Here, HMGA1 is linked to type 2 diabetes mellitus.