MiR-124 has been found to be upregulated in NEC, promoting the intestine cell apoptosis and inflammatory infiltration via inhibiting Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) expression by targeting rho-associated coiled-coil-containing protein kinase 1 (ROCK1) (Yin et al., 2019). This evidence concerns the gene ROCK1 and necrotizing enterocolitis.