LncRNA SBF2-AS1 affects the radiosensitivity of non-small cell lung cancer via modulating microRNA-302a/MBNL3 axis
Authors: Haoyou Wang
Gebang Wang
Chenlei Zhang
Hongxu Liu
Wei Chen
Yu Liu
Zhanwu Yu
Journal: Cell Cycle (2020)
Discipline: MOLECULAR BIOLOGY & GENETICS
Keywords: Apoptosis; LncRNA SBF2-AS1; MicroRNA-302a; Muscleblind-like 3; Non-small cell lung cancer
Affiliations: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, Shenyang, Liaoning, P.R. China.

Abstract:  Background: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been reported to participate in many diseases including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), thus our objective was to investigate the impact of lncRNA SBF2-AS1 modulating microRNA-302a (miR-302a) expression on radiosensitivity of NSCLC.Methods: The expression of SBF2-AS1, miR-302a and muscleblind-like 3 (MBNL3) in NSCLC tissues of the radiotherapy-sensitive and radiotherapy-resistant groups was tested. The radiosensitivity of parent and resistant strains (NCI-H1299 and NCI-H1299R cells) was detected. Further, cells were treated with si-SBF2-AS1 and miR-302a mimics to determine their roles in proliferation and apoptosis of parent strain and resistant strain cells as well as transfected cells. The in-vivo growth capacity of the cells and the effect of radiotherapy on tumor size of NSCLC were detected.Results: Up-regulated SBF2-AS1 and MBNL3 and down-regulated miR-302a in NSCLC tissues of the radiotherapy resistant group. Overexpression of SBF2-AS1 and MBNL3 and low expression of miR-302a were witnessed in NCI-H1299R cells. Down-regulated SBF2-AS1 or up-regulated miR-302a suppressed the proliferation while boosted the apoptosis of NCI-H1299 cells and decreased the radioresistance of the NCI-H1299R cells. Silencing SBF2-AS1 or up-regulating miR-302a restrained tumor growth in vivo.Conclusion: Our study presents that high expression of miR-302a or inhibition of SBF2-AS1 can enhance the radiosensitivity and apoptosis of NSCLC cells through downregulation of MBNL3, which is a therapeutic target for NSCLC. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
 Figure 3.  The resistant cells are more resistant to radiation than the parent cells. (a) Colony formation ability of NCI-H1299 and NCI-H299R cells irradiated with different doses .  Colonies are unusually blocklike, with unexpected repetitions. Were they constructed in Minecraft?  , 
 Fig 7 c,g.  After silencing SBF2-AS1 or up-regulating miR-302a, tumor growth of nude mice was reduced. ... (c) Representative figure of the transplanted tumor in NCIH1299 cells in nude mice treated with radiotherapy after injected with si-SBF2-AS1 and miR-302a mimics.... (g) Representative figure of the transplanted tumor of NCI-H1299R cells in nude mice treated with radiotherapy after injected with si-SBF2-AS1 and miR-302a mimics. The tumors are disembodied, posed digitally on a virtual background; both their outlines and their shadows appear to be digital constructs.  At least one pair of tumors have different outlines but similar interiors, as if created through decoupage from the same original image. , 
 Figure 2 may be a similar work of art. ***  , 
  We would like to acknowledge the reviewers for their helpful comments on this pap. ,