Expressed sRNAs in L. chinensis are likely to have important functional roles in the plant’s stress response. In plants, the response to abiotic stresses is complex and involves many biochemical and molecular mechanisms that are regulated mainly through the silencing or regulation of target genes by miRNAs. miRNAs as regulators of target genes have been reported to play major roles in a plant’s response to abiotic stresses, including dehydration, freezing, salinity, alkalinity. The identification of miRNA targets is crucial for understanding the biological effects of miRNAs. The identification of the entire set of miRNAs and their targets from an organism is of fundamental importance for understanding overall gene regulation involving stress responses. In this study, target genes for miRNAs that were differentially expressed in the three libraries were identified by a search of plant miRNA target sites, which are predominantly located in open reading frames. The predicted miRNA target genes included coproporphyrinogen III oxidase, glutathione S-transferase, ubiquitin-protein ligase, MYB superfamily members, NAD-dependent aldehyde dehydrogenases and genes involved in RNA processing. In L. chinensis, these target genes may participate in various aspects of plant development and stress responses. miR159, CP-358774 miR160, miR167, miR319, miR393 and miR408 participate in important and perhaps conserved functions, such as plant growth, development and stress responses. MYB transcription factors regulated by miR159 are involved in the biosynthesis of bioactive compounds, such as ABA. In this study we identified miR159f, which may target components that were down-regulated under saline-alkali stress. Together with previous evidence for the targeting of MYB by miR159, these predicted targets may be up-regulated and regulated by the ABA signaling pathway. The results suggest that miRNAs may regulate ABA signaling and other stress response processes. Most patients with chronic kidney disease progress to end stage renal failure despite medical intervention. One of the reasons is that biomarkers for early detection of the kidney disease are lacking. Therefore, we are unable to intervene early before irreversible damage. In order to identify early biomarkers and drug targets for progression of CKD, it is critical to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the development and progression of disease. Transcriptome-based approach has been widely applied for studying diabetic nephropathy, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, chronic kidney disease progression, and glomerular disease classification. However, this approach is not without its limitations. First, access to renal biopsy samples are often limited due to the small volume of core needle sample and the relatively scarce number of routine biopsies performed in general nephrology practice. Second, most kidney biopsies are performed on patients with established disease. Hence, early changes in gene expression remain largely unknown.