(A) The conserved sequence of the Runx2 gene in humans, chimps, mice, rats, and rabbits. (B) The potential binding site between miR-218 and Runx2 mRNA was predicted by bioinformatics. (C) The relative levels of luciferase activity in ARPE-19 cells that were co-transfected with the Runx2 mutant or wild type plasmid and miR-218 mimics or its NC. **P < 0.01. (D) Runx2 protein expression in ARPE-19 cells treated with 0, 5, 15, or 25 mM glucose was examined by Western blotting. NC, negative control. All experiments were repeated three times.