Downregulated miR-144-3p contributes to progression of lung adenocarcinoma through elevating the expression of EZH2
Authors: Youjun Zhou
Ting Chen
Ruilian Zhao
Zuozhang Yang
Chao Liu
Quan Gong
Zhiyong Deng
Journal: Cancer Medicine (2018)
Discipline: CLINICAL MEDICINE
Keywords: EZH2; lung adenocarcinoma; miR-144-3p.
Affiliations: Department of Nuclear Medicine, Tumor Hospital of Yunnan Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical College, Kunming, Yunnan, China., Departments of Orthopaedics, Tumor Hospital of Yunnan Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical College, Kunming, Yunnan, China., Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Affiliated Yan'an Hospital of Kunming Medical College, Kunming, Yunnan, China., Department of Palliative Medicine, Tumor Hospital of Yunnan Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical College, Kunming, Yunnan, China., Departments of Combination of Chinese Traditional and Western Medicine, Tumor Hospital of Yunnan Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical College, Kunming, Yunnan, China.

Abstract:  Objectives: The intention of our study was to investigate the relationship between miR-144-3p and EZH2 as well as the effects of their interaction on cell propagation and invasiveness in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Methods: The expression levels of miR-144-3p and EZH2 in LUAD tissues and normal tissues were determined by qRT-PCR. The dual-luciferase reporter assay was utilized to validate the targeting relationship between miR-144-3p and EZH2. MTT assay and colony formation assay were performed to evaluate the viability and propagation of LUAD cells, while the effects of miR-144-3p and EZH2 on LUAD cell invasiveness were confirmed by transwell assay. Protein expression levels of VEGFA, MMP2, and MMP9 were measured by Western blot. Furthermore, xenograft tumor models were established to verify the effects of miR-144-3p on tumor formation and EZH2, VEGFA, MMP2 and MMP9 expressions in vivo. Results: miR-144-3P was downregulated in LUAD tissues, and overexpression of miR-144-3p inhibited propagation and invasiveness of LUAD cells. EZH2 was a target of miR-144-3p and was highly expressed in LUAD cells. Knockdown of EZH2 could suppress the propagation and invasion of LUAD cells. Increased miR-144-3p expression exerted an inhibitory effect on LUAD tumor formation in vivo. Conclusion: Overexpression of miR-144-3p impeded the propagation and invasiveness of LUAD cells by targeting EZH2. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
 At least two sets of images in figure 4C appear to overlap. ***  , 
 Dear Actinopolyspora Biskrensisuff0c Thank you for raising the problem about the vision overlap between images. We paid high attention to this problem by checking the raw data at once, and we found the original documents on the computer the inverted microscope is linked with. However, as all the original documents were in the same folder, the corresponding grouping information for the images were undistinguishable. We are aware that there may be other improper use of images. To ensure the repeatability and authenticity of the experiment, we repeated the experiment immediately. We will submit the results of recently repeated experiments to the journal within a week and apply for corrigendum. We remain confident about the validity and strength of the scientific conclusions made in this manuscript and our worku2019s reproducibility. Nevertheless, we still appreciated your reasonable concerns to safeguard the accuracy and integrity of science, which enlightened us to improve the experimental conditions and examine the original images carefully to avoid the similar misunderstandings in our future work. Regards, Ting Chen , 
 #1 Dear Actinopolyspora Biskrensisuff0c Thank you for raising the problem about the vision overlap between images. We paid high attention to this problem by checking the raw data at once, and we found the original documents on the computer the inverted microscope is linked with. However, as all the original documents were in the same folder, the corresponding grouping information for the images were undistinguishable. We are aware that there may be other improper use of images. To ensure the repeatability and authenticity of the experiment, we repeated the experiment immediately. We will submit the results of recently repeated experiments to the journal within a week and apply for corrigendum. We remain confident about the validity and strength of the scientific conclusions made in this manuscript and our worku2019s reproducibility. Nevertheless, we still appreciated your reasonable concerns to safeguard the accuracy and integrity of science, which enlightened us to improve the experimental conditions and examine the original images carefully to avoid the similar misunderstandings in our future work. Regards, Ting Chen , 
 Figures 2E and 4C reanalyzed. The authors were correct that there were u201cother improper use of images.u201d Has the journal been contacted? ***  ,