MicroRNA-200c inhibits the metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer cells by targeting ZEB2, an epithelial-mesenchymal transition regulator
Authors: Aihong Jiao
Junxia Li
Liangming Zhang
Minghua Sui
Weiwei Zhang
Xiuwen Wang
Ping Sun
Dongmei Geng
Journal: Molecular Medicine Reports (2016)
Discipline: CLINICAL MEDICINE
Keywords: MicroRNAs; miR-200c; non-small cell lung cancer; NSCLC; progression
Affiliations: Department of Chemotherapy, Cancer Center, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China., Department of Chemotherapy, Yuhuangding Hospital, Yantai, Shandong 264000, P.R. China.

Abstract:  MicroRNAs (miRs) have been demonstrated to regulate various biological processes in human cancer, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, little evidence has been provided regarding the exact role of miR-200c in mediating the malignant progression of NSCLC, as well as the underlying mechanism. The present study aimed to investigate the putative role of miR‚Ä?00c in the progression of NSCLC. The expression levels of miR‚Ä?00c were significantly reduced in NSCLC cell lines compared with in normal lung epithelial cells, as determined by reverse transcription‚Äëquantitative polymerase chain reaction. Overexpression of miR‚Ä?00c significantly suppressed cell migration and invasion of A549 NSCLC cells. Results of a luciferase reporter assay further identified zinc finger E‚Äëbox‚Äëbinding homeobox 2 (ZEB2) as a direct target gene of miR‚Ä?00c, and the expression of ZEB2 was shown to be suppressed in A549 cells overexpressing miR‚Ä?00c. Furthermore, small interfering RNA‚Äëmediated inhibition of ZEB2 suppressed the migration and invasion of A549 cells. In addition, since ZEB2 is an epithelial‚Äëmesenchymal transition (EMT) regulator, the role of miR‚Ä?00c in the regulation of EMT in NSCLC cells was further examined. Results of a western blot analysis indicated that overexpression of miR‚Ä?00c upregulated E‚Äëcadherin, and downregulated N‚Äëcadherin and vimentin expression in A549 cells, thus suggesting that EMT was suppressed. Based on these results, the present study suggested that miR‚Ä?00c was able to inhibit the metastasis of NSCLC cells by targeting ZEB2. Therefore, miR-200c may be considered as a potential candidate for the treatment of NSCLC. 

Retracted: Yes

PubPeer comments:
 Figs 2C, 4C:  Coloured rectangles mark similarities to panels of *[above]* Fig 4C from [Lai, Chen Li (2015)] .  a Transwell assay were performed to examine the cell proliferation of AGS cells transfected with miR-133a mimics, miR-133a inhibitor, or co-transfected with miR-133a mimics and FSCN1 plasmid. Control: AGS cells without any transfection. *[below]* Figs 3(B), 6(B) from [Shi et al (2015)] .  Transwell assay was performed to determine the invasive capacity of the Saos-2 and U-2 OS cells transfected with NC scramble miRNA or miR-204 mimics, respectively. Control, Saos-2 and U-2 OS cells without any transfection ...  Transwell assay was performed to determine the invasive capacity of the Saos-2 and U-2 OS cells transfected with Sirt1 siRNA or co-transfected with miR-204 mimics and the Sirt1 plasmid, respectively. Control, Saos-2 and U-2 OS cells without any transfection .  , 
 Retracted [8 June 2021] . --------------------------------------- Following the publication of this paper, it was drawn to the Editorsu2019 attention by a concerned reader that certain of the cell Transwell assay data in the article (featured in Figs. 2C and 4C) were strikingly similar to data appearing in different form in other articles by different authors at different research institutions, which were already under consideration for publication or had already been published elsewhere at the time of the present articleu2019s submission [C. Lai et al, u201cMicroRNAu2011133a inhibits proliferation and invasion, and induces apoptosis in gastric carcinoma cells via targeting fascin actinu2011bundling protein 1u201d, Mol Med Rep 12: 1473u20111478, 2015; and Y Shi et al, u201cMicroRNAu2011204 inhibits proliferation, migration, invasion and epithelialu2011mesenchymal transition in osteosarcoma cells via targeting Sirtuin 1u201d, Oncol Rep 34: 399u2011406, 2015]. Owing to the fact that the contentious data in the above article had already appeared in different form in other articles prior to its submission to Molecular Medicine Reports, the Editor has decided that this paper should be retracted from the Journal. The authors did not reply to indicate whether or not they agreed with the retraction of the paper. The Editor apologizes to the readership for any inconvenience caused. ------------------------------------------------ Is it always the same Concerned Reader who lets the journal editors know about postings on PubPeer? Background [here] . ,