On the other hand, down-regulation of miR-144 upon hyperglycaemia provides novel clues in the following aspects: (1) down-regulation of miR-144 might provide a prognostic molecular marker for the progression of DR; (2) our finding provides a novel possible therapeutic strategy for DR through exogenous delivery of miR-144; and (3) miR-144-FGF16 axis provides a novel mechanism for hyperglycaemia induced DR. This evidence concerns the gene FGF16 and Hyperglycemia.