<p>microRNA-564 inhibits the aggressive phenotypes of papillary thyroid cancer by directly targeting astrocyte-elevated gene-1</p>
Authors: Cong&#x27;e Xu
Zhenzhen Song
Huimei Yang
Xia Wu
Cui Kong
Journal: OncoTargets and Therapy (2019)
Discipline: CLINICAL MEDICINE
Keywords: aggressive phenotypes; astrocyte elevated gene-1; microRNA-564; papillary thyroid cancer.
Affiliations: Department of Laboratory, The Third People's Hospital of Linyi, Linyi, Shandong 276023, People's Republic of China., Department of Oncology, The Third People's Hospital of Linyi, Linyi, Shandong 276023, People's Republic of China., Department of Radiation Oncology, Linyi Cancer Hospital, Linyi, Shandong 276000, People's Republic of China.

Abstract:  Background: Accumulating evidence has revealed that an increasing number of microRNAs (miRNAs) are dysregulated in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) and that their dysregulation plays an important role in PTC onset and progression. Reportedly, miRNA-564 (miR-564) is downregulated in several types of human cancer. However, its expression profile and specific functions in PTC remain unclear to date. Methods: In this study, we used reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction to detect miR-564 expression in PTC tissues and cell lines. Further, the regulatory roles of miR-564 in the malignant development of PTC in vitro and in vivo were examined using a series of functional experiments. In addition, the possible underlying mechanisms and signaling pathways involved were investigated. Results: We demonstrated that miR-564 expression markedly decreased in PTC tissues and cell lines, and this decrease correlated with the lymph node metastasis and tumor-node-metastasis stage. miR-564 upregulation significantly inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and induced cell apoptosis in vitro as well as hindered tumor growth in vivo. Furthermore, astrocyte-elevated gene-1 (AEG-1) was identified as a direct target gene of miR-564 in PTC cells. Its expression was upregulated and inversely correlated with miR-564 expression in clinically PTC tissues. Additionally, the silencing of AEG-1 expression could imitate the action of miR-564 overexpression in PTC cells. Remarkably, the restoration of AEG-1 expression partially abolished the tumor-suppressing effects induced by a miR-564 upregulation in PTC cells. Ectopic miR-564 expression deactivated the PTEN/Akt pathway in PTC cells in vitro and in vivo. Conclusion: Overall, the findings of the current study suggest that miR-564 is a tumor-suppressive miRNA that exerts crucial roles in the development and progression of PTC. Therefore, this miRNA might be a promising candidate target in the anticancer treatment of patients with PTC. 

Retracted: Yes

PubPeer comments:
 Figs 2C, 5C, 6C.  Maroon-boxed panel matches a panel from Figs 2D, 5D, 6E of [Wang et al (2018)] .  There may be other matches, or panels shared with other papers from this oeuvre. Here in context:  , 
 *[right]* Fig 8A.  Images of tumor xenografts derived from miR-564 mimics or miR-NC-transfected TPC-1 cells . *[left]* Fig 8A from [Yun et al (2019)] .  Photographs of tumor xenografts derived from Hep3B cells transfected with miR-548b mimics or negative control (NC) mimics .  Different cell-lines, different treatments, different authors, same tumors (though rotated). , 
 #2 *[left]* Fig 8A.  Images of tumor xenografts derived from miR-564 mimics or miR-NC-transfected TPC-1 cells . Rotated through 90 deg. *[middle]* Fig 8A from [Yun et al (2019)] .  Photographs of tumor xenografts derived from Hep3B cells transfected with miR-548b mimics or negative control (NC) mimics . *[right]* Fig 8A from [Kang et al (2019)] .  Representative images of tumor xenografts derived from nude mice implanted with agomiR-612 or agomiR-NCtransfected H522 cells .  , 
 Retracted, [20 September 2021] . -------------------------- The Editor and Publisher of *OncoTargets and Therapy* wish to retract the published article. Concerns were raised over alleged image duplication in Figures 2C and 8A with similar images from unrelated articles, specifically: - Figure 2C, panel HTH83 miR-564 mimics appears to have been duplicated with a similar image in Figure 5D from Wang et al, 2018 . - Figure 8A appears to have been duplicated with similar images in Figure 8A from Yun et al, 2019 . The authors did not respond to our queries and the Editor determined the findings of the study were no longer valid and advised for the article to be retracted. Our decision-making was informed by our policy on publishing ethics and integrity and the COPE guidelines on retraction. The retracted article will remain online to maintain the scholarly record, but it will be digitally watermarked on each page as u201cRetractedu201d. ,