MicroRNA-145 overexpression inhibits neuroblastoma tumorigenesis in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Liang Ma
Kai Zhou
Jing Zhao
Huanyu Zhang
Journal: Bioengineered (2020)
Discipline: BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
Keywords: MTDH; Neuroblastoma; apoptosis; miR-145; tumorigenesis.
Affiliations: Department of Pediatric Surgery, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China., Urology, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China., Child Health Division, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China.

Abstract:  Neuroblastoma (NB) is responsible for 15% of all childhood cancer deaths. Despite advances in treatment and disease management, the overall 5-year survival rates remain poor in high-risk disease (25-40%). It is well known that miR-145 functions as a tumor suppressor in several types of cancer. However, the impact of miR-145 on NB is still ambiguous. Our aim was to investigate the potential tumor suppressive role and mechanisms of miR-145 in high-risk neuroblastoma. Expression levels of miR-145 in tissues and cells were determined using RT-qPCR. The effect of miR-145 on cell viability was evaluated using MTT assays, apoptosis levels were determined using TUNEL staining, and the MTDH protein expression was determined using western blot and RT-PCR. Luciferase reporter plasmids were constructed to confirm direct targeting for MTDH. The results showed that miR-145 expression was significantly lower in high-risk MYCN amplified (MNA) tumors and low miR-145 expression was associated with worse EFS and OS in our cohort. Over-expression of miR-145 reduced cell viability and increased apoptosis in SH-SY-5Y cells. We identified MTDH as a direct target for miR-145 in SH-SY-5Y cells. Targeting MTDH has the similar results as miR-145 overexpression. Our findings suggest that low miR-145 expression was associated with poor prognosis in patients with NB, and the overexpression of miR-145 inhibited NB cells growth by down-regulating MTDH, thus providing a potential target for the development of microRNA-based approach for NB therapy. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
 Unexpected similarity in TEM image of nanoparticle (only zoomed part) with another paper https: pubpeer.com publications 6389B57905710C7A5B59C6673547D7#2 Histograms are also very similar with slightly different numbers.  , 
 Can authors explain so good reproducibility of relative size of their nanoparticles? Relative intensity of bars is exactly the same in 3 papers. Only size shifts little bit: https: pubpeer.com publications 6389B57905710C7A5B59C6673547D7#2 https: pubpeer.com publications 42991F07A3C2A2FD48078C4F40B70A  , 
 To add to Thallarcha Lechrioleuca s finding in comment #1, this paper is one of at least 30 papers by the same research group that all share the same photo. In all papers, this photo is used as a zoomed-in inset representing the high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) analysis of the  atomic lattice fringe and particle size of the nanoparticles. Of concern, the same photo is used to represent a different type of nanoparticle in each of these papers. Here is a collage of 6 different uses of the same photo,  Inset 1 :  Here is a list of the 30 papers identified so far that all use this photo, and the different types of nanoparticles that they represent. * Aysenur Aygun et al. - DOI: 10.1016 j.jpba.2019.112961 - Nigella sativa Pt * Aysun Su0327avk et al. - DOI: 10.1016 j.molliq.2019.112355 - PtNi@AC * Aysun Su0327avk et al. - DOI: 10.1016 j.msec.2019.01.113 - ZnNi@f-MWCNT * Aysun Su0327avk et al. - DOI: 10.1038 s41598-019-55746-y - PdNi@rGO * Betuu0308l Su0327en et al. - DOI: 10.1016 j.ijhydene.2018.03.175 - Pd@GO * Betuu0308l Su0327en et al. - DOI: 10.1016 j.nanoso.2017.08.013 - PdRu@GO * Betuu0308l Su0327en et al. - DOI: 10.1016 j.apcatb.2017.11.067 - RhPt TC@GO * Betuu0308l Su0327en et al. - DOI: 10.1016 j.ijhydene.2018.07.081 - Pd-Ir@AC * Betuu0308l Su0327en et al. - DOI: 10.1016 j.jcis.2018.05.021 - Ru-Ni@PVP * Betuu0308l Su0327en et al. - DOI: 10.1016 j.nanoso.2018.07.008 - Pd@AC * Betuu0308l Su0327en et al. - DOI: 10.1016 j.ijhydene.2018.07.122 - PdRuNi@GO * Betuu0308l Su0327en et al. - DOI: 10.1016 j.ijhydene.2019.01.215 - PdCo@GO * Betuu0308l Su0327en et al. - DOI: 10.1016 j.jtice.2019.04.040 - PdNi@VC * Betuu0308l Su0327en et al. - DOI: 10.1016 j.ijhydene.2018.12.051 - PdCo@MOF * Betuu0308l Su0327en et al. - DOI: 10.1016 j.ijhydene.2019.02.176 - RuCu@rGO * Birguu0308tay Su0327ahin et al. - DOI: 10.1016 j.colsurfb.2017.12.042 - Pt * Buse Demirkan et al. - DOI: 10.1038 s41598-020-59935-y - rGO Pd@PPy * Buse Demirkan et al. - DOI: 10.1038 s41598-019-48802-0 - Pt-Co@rGO * Fatma Diler et al. - DOI: 10.1016 j.molliq.2019.111967 - Pd@GO * Hayriye Genc Bilgicli et al. - DOI: 10.1016 j.micromeso.2020.110014 - CPG * Hilal Acidereli et al. - DOI: 10.1016 j.renene.2020.07.105 - PdRu@G * Mehmet Salih Nas et al. - DOI: 10.1016 j.molliq.2019.112100 - Pt-Co@GO * Nabih Lolak et al. - DOI: 10.1021 acsomega.9b00485 - PdNi@GO * Oznur Alptekin et al. - DOI: 10.1039 D0CY00641F - PtRh@GO * Rukiye Ayranci et al. - DOI: 10.1016 j.msec.2019.02.040 - Pt Ni@rGO * Sait Bozkurt et al. - DOI: 10.1016 j.aca.2017.07.051 - Pd TNM@rGO * Sinan Eris et al. - DOI: 10.1016 j.jcis.2017.11.085 - Pt@f-CB * Sinan Eris et al. - DOI: 10.1016 j.ijhydene.2017.11.063 - Pt@f-VC * Suat Tacu0327yu0131ldu0131z et al. - DOI: 10.1016 j.molliq.2019.04.019 - Ru-Rh@PVP * Zeynep Dasu0327delen et al. - DOI: 10.1016 j.apcatb.2017.08.014 - Pt@GO-PVP , 
 This paper is one of 5 so far found showing identical Pd XPS spectrum each time for different materials. Other appearances: https: doi.org 10.1038 s41598-019-55746-y https: pubpeer.com publications 6389B57905710C7A5B59C6673547D7 http: dx.doi.org 10.1016 j.nanoso.2017.08.013 https: pubpeer.com publications 7A123B2F1443D6AC355E4B633E05E2 2017 DOI: 10.1039 C6RA13142E https: pubpeer.com publications 333B326822135A21713764E73A2B86 2016 https: pubpeer.com publications F37615D2B93BBAAB41C4DCA099D5CD 2018 doi:10.1016 j.ijhydene.2018.07.122  ,