Previous studies have reported that miRNAs regulate gene expression during DN progression (Long et al., 2010; Wang et al., 2010) by targeting signaling pathways related to mechanical stress, oxidative stress, generation of advanced glycation end products and their receptors, renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) activation, and autophagy (Wang et al., 2008; Macconi et al., 2012; Fiorentino et al., 2013; Li et al., 2013; Tekirdag et al., 2013). Here, REN is linked to liver dysplastic nodule.