Suppressive effect of platycodin D on bladder cancer through microRNA-129-5p-mediated PABPC1/PI3K/AKT axis inactivation
Authors: Chunfeng Lu
Yingxue Guo
Dayin Chen
Chennan Wang
Longxin Dong
Tingyu Chen
Journal: Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research (2021)
Discipline: CLINICAL MEDICINE
Keywords: Platycodin D; bladder cancer; cell proliferation; apoptosis; microRNAs
Affiliations: Department of Pharmacology, Basic Medical College, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi, Heilongjiang, China., Department of Urology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Jiamusi University, Jiamusi, Heilongjiang, China., School of Medicine, Huzhou University, Huzhou, Zhejiang, China.

Abstract:  Platycodin D (PD) is a major constituent of Platycodon grandiflorum and has multiple functions in disease control. This study focused on the function of PD in bladder cancer cell behaviors and the molecules involved. First, we administered PD to the bladder cancer cell lines T24 and 5637 and the human uroepithelial cell line SV-HUC-1. Cell viability and growth were evaluated using MTT, EdU, and colony formation assays, and cell apoptosis was determined using Hoechst 33342 staining and flow cytometry. The microRNAs (miRNAs) showing differential expression in cells before and after PD treatment were screened. Moreover, we altered the expression of miR-129-5p and PABPC1 to identify their functions in bladder cancer progression. We found that PD specifically inhibited the proliferation and promoted the apoptosis of bladder cancer cells; miR-129-5p was found to be partially responsible for the cancer-inhibiting properties of PD. PABPC1, a direct target of miR-129-5p, was abundantly expressed in T24 and 5637 cell lines and promoted cell proliferation and suppressed cell apoptosis. In addition, PABPC1 promoted the phosphorylation of PI3K and AKT in bladder cancer cells. Altogether, PD had a concentration-dependent suppressive effect on bladder cancer cell growth and was involved in the upregulation of miR-129-5p and the subsequent inhibition of PABPC1 and inactivation of PI3K/AKT signaling. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
 A different image in Figure 4C seems unexpectedly similar to an image in Figure 3b of a different paper, Cancer Cell International (2020), doi: 10.1186 s12935-020-01170-6, discussed here: https: pubpeer.com publications 71BAE36BAC16EE28EF96DC1085DACD Interestingly, the light reflections that appear in the earlier Cancer Cell paper are absent in the Brazilian Journal paper, one area noted by red arrows. ***  , 
 Retraction, 15 August 2022: https: www.scielo.br j bjmbr a mzRNZHdd6rw99xmBXbfSPFF ?lang=en  *The authors requested retraction of the article u201cSuppressive effect of platycodin D on bladder cancer through microRNA-129-5p-mediated PABPC1 PI3K AKT axis inactivationu201d that was published in volume 54 no. 3 (2021) (Epub January 15, 2021) in the Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research.* *The corresponding author stated the following: u201cIn a subsequent experiment, we repeated the experiment in this manuscript. Unfortunately, we had different results than before. This led to inaccurate conclusions in this manuscriptu201d.* *In addition, the manuscript was questioned by independent journalists from the u201cPubPeeru201d website https: pubpeer.com publications 51FACD700BCEB2DE71D4748E96BE72 . This denouncement consisted of potential data falsification and or inaccuracy.* *Thus, the Editors decided to retract this article to avoid further damage to the scientific community. The Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research remains vigilant to prevent misconduct and reinforces the Journalu2019s commitment to good scientific practices.* ,