Regulation of mTOR by miR-107 to facilitate glioma cell apoptosis and to enhance cisplatin sensitivity
Authors: S-Q Song
P-F Su
Journal: European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences (2018)
Discipline: PHARMACOLOGY & TOXICOLOGY
Keywords: mTOR; miR-107; glioma; drug resistance; apoptosis
Affiliations: Department of Neurosurgery, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Daqing, Heilongjiang, China. .

Abstract:  Objective: The aberrant increasing expression of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) participates in tumor occurrence and drug resistance. It has been found elevation of mTOR expression but reducing miR-107 expression in glioma tissues. Thus, we investigated the regulatory role of miR-107 on mTOR expression as well as glioma cell proliferation, apoptosis and cisplatin (DDP) resistance. Patients and methods: Dual luciferase reporter gene assay was applied to confirm targeted regulation between miR-107 and mTOR. Tumor tissues were collected from glioma patients, in parallel with normal tissues after brain contusion surgery. Expressions of miR-107, mTOR and p-mTOR were compared. DDP-resistant cell line U251/DPP was generated. U251/DPP cells were further treated with miR-107 mimic or si-mTOR to examine the change of miR-107, mTOR, p-mTOR and survivin levels. Flow cytometry was used to quantify the effect of DDP treatment on cell proliferation or apoptosis. Results: Bioinformatics analysis revealed complementary binding sites between miR-107 and 3'-UTR of mTOR mRNA. Dual luciferase assay confirmed targeted regulation between miR-107 and mTOR. Compared to control group, in glioma tissues, mTOR and p-mTOR expressions were significantly elevated, while the level of miR-107 expression was markedly decreased. Of note, U251/DDP cells presented weakened apoptosis compared to U251 cells, with high levels of mTOR, p-mTOR and survivin and reduction of miR-107 expression. However, the transfection of miR-107 mimic and/or si-mTOR remarkably suppressed expressions of mTOR, p-mTOR and survivin in U251/DPP cells, weakened cell proliferation and enhanced apoptosis. Conclusions: We demonstrated that the level of miR-107 was correlated with DDP resistance in glioma cells. Over-expression of miR-107 decreased DPP resistance of glioma cells via inhibition of mTOR, which provides academic basis for the future anti-glioma therapy. 

Retracted: Yes

PubPeer comments:
 Above:  Figure 3. Inhibition of miR-221 up-regulated SOCS3 expression, suppressed T24 cell proliferation, and promoted apoptosis. ... (C) flow cytometry detection of cell apoptosis;  From [Liu et al (2017)] . Below:  Figure 4. Over-expression of miR-107 suppressed DDP resistance and facilitated cell apoptosis of U251 DDP cells. ... (D) EdU staining for cell proliferation potency; (E) Flow cytometry for cell apoptosis .  Despite some customising, the panels are more similar than dissimilar. This is despite the completely different miRs and cell lines, and the lack of overlap between authors. , 
 Another example from the same journal, here at right:  Figure 5. Downregulation of miR-124 or enhancement of PI3K attenuated VECs apoptosis induced by OGD. ... (C) Flow cytometry detection on cell apoptosis . From [Wang et al (2018)] .  , 
 #2 Extended into a Gallery of Unfortunate FACS Plots. Please excuse the length. This is a random assortment from a certain oeuvre. Any other of ~40 papers from the same journal(s) could have been used instead. I have only marked a few of the recurring constellations of points. Colored plots darkened and contrast-enhanced for visibility. Fig 4C [Liu et al (2017)] PMID 28770966 Fig 2D, 3D [Wu et al (2017)] PMID 28617558 Fig 2D [Liang et al (2017)] PMID 29164556  Fig 3E [Li et al (2018)] 10.26355 eurrev_201809_15933 Fig 4D [Dong et al (2018)] 10.26355 eurrev_201805_15059 Fig 4D [Song et al (2018)] 10.26355 eurrev_201806_15153  Fig 2B, 4B, 5C [Wang et al (2018)] 10.26355 eurrev_201801_14201 Fig 3B, 4E [Su Song (2018)] 10.26355 eurrev_201810_16155 Fig 2D [Han et al (2018)] 10.26355 eurrev_201811_16390  Fig 4C [Wang Yu (2019)] 10.26355 eurrev_201903_17397 Fig 5D [Zhou et al (2019)] 10.26355 eurrev_201911_19436 Fig 4E [Liu Zhang (2019)] 10.1089 cbr.2018.2749 Fig 4D [Piao et al (2019)] 10.1089 cbr.2018.2625  , 
 It may also be worth documenting the curious stylized renditions of Western Blots favoured by this production studio (and by the editors and reviewers who accept this oeuvre of papers).  , 
 Withdrawn. https: www.europeanreview.org article 23745 *Since this article has been suspected of research misconduct and the corresponding authors did not respond to our request to prove originality of data and figures, u201cRegulation of mTOR by miR-107 to facilitate glioma cell apoptosis and to enhance cisplatin sensitivity, by P.-F. Su, S.-Q. Song, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2018; 22 (20): 6864-6872u2013DOI: 10.26355 eurrev_201810_16155u2013PMID: 30402851u201d has been withdrawn.* *The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause.* , 
 #1-#5 An August 19, 2021 [announcement ](http: www.nhc.gov.cn cms-search xxgk getManuscriptXxgk.htm?id=159bcc53148340d48336060e65571a1c) by  National Health Commission of the People s Republic of China reported the results of investigation of 10 papers flagged on Pubpeer, together with disciplinary actions against the authors. The current paper is the #3 case in the list.  ,