Although the mechanism underlying the protective effect of Stat3 in IRDs remains to be defined (Jiang et al, 2014), it is tempting to speculate that the p705‐Stat3 downstream genes, which are upregulated in our model after miR‐181a/b‐1 inactivation (Fig EV3H), may be responsible for the Stat3‐dependent effect on mutant PR survival and could have an impact on the decrease in cell death detected. Here, STAT3 is linked to respiratory distress syndrome in premature infants.