Accumulating evidence has demonstrated the role of miRNAs in the pathogenesis of diabetes and its complications, including DR.43, 44 We have determined some differentially expressed miRNAs in the development of DR.45 This study further verified that miR‐125b‐5p targeted SP1 and ROBO4 directly in RPE cells under hyperglycaemia, whereas miR‐146a‐5p was a direct modulator of HIF‐1α and ROBO4 under hypoxia. The gene discussed is HIF1A; the disease is diabetes mellitus.