Long non-coding RNA LINP1 promotes the malignant progression of prostate cancer by regulating p53
Authors: H-F Wu
L-F Zhou
Y Zhang
L-G Ren
X-W Mao
J-Q Xiao
Journal: European review for medical and pharmacological sciences (2018)
Discipline: PHARMACOLOGY & TOXICOLOGY
Keywords: lncRNA LINP1; prostate cancer; qRT-PCR; tumor stage; lymphatic metastasis
Affiliations: Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China. .

Abstract:  Objective: We aim to investigate the expression of long non-coding RNA-LINP1 (lncRNA LINP1) in prostate cancer (PCa) and its potential mechanism. Patients and methods: The expression of lncRNA LINP1 in 74 pairs of PCa and normal tissues were detected by quantitative Real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR); the relationship between its expression and the pathological features and prognosis of PCa was also analyzed. The expression of lncRNA LINP1 in the PCa cell line was verified by qRT-PCR. Knockdown of LINP1 was constructed by transfection of small interfering RNA (siRNA) in two PCa cell lines (Lncap and PC-3). The biological function of LINP1 was evaluated by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, colony formation assay, migration and invasion assay, respectively. Finally, the potential mechanism of LINP1 was explored by Western blot and qRT-PCR. Results: qRT-PCR results showed a higher expression of LINP1 in PCa than that of normal tissues. Compared with PCa patients with a lower expression of LINP1, those with higher expression had a higher tumor stage, lymphatic metastasis and distant metastasis rate, and lower overall survival rate. Proliferation, invasion and metastasis in cells transfected with si-LINP1 were remarkably decreased than those transfected with negative control (si-NC). Moreover, the expressions of the key proteins in the p53 signaling pathway, including p53, PTEN, Akt and CDK2 were remarkably decreased in cells after knockdown of LINP1. In addition, a negative correlation between LINP1 and p53 was confirmed by rescue experiments. Conclusions: Up-regulated LINP1 in PCa was correlated with a higher PCa stage, lymphatic metastasis, distant metastasis, and worse prognosis. Furthermore, LINP1 could promote the proliferative, migratory and invasive abilities of PCa by regulating the p53-signaling pathway. 

Retracted: Yes

PubPeer comments:
 This paper describes the in-vitro treatment of skin biopsies with products from the Milan company GUNA.  Cell treatment was induced by adding IL-4, IL-10, bFGF or u03b2-endorphin, activated by the pharmaceutical preparation process known as u201csequential kinetic activationu201d (SKA) (GUNA S.p.a, Milan, Italy), at concentrations of 10 fg ml for 48 h.  Sequential kinetic activation is a term introduced to replace the classical Homeopathic  succussion - that is, striking the preparation at each stage of successive dilution to potentiate the healing properties of molecules even as all of those original molecules are removed (presumably  succussion seen as too redolent of mysticism and mumbo-jumbo, and had to be replaced with something sounding more scientifical). GUNA is a supplier of homeopathic placebos. With this in mind, I have to ask how confident the authors were that the products they used did indeed contain measurable concentrations of cytokines, at 10 femtograms per millilitre. Did they measure these concentrations themselves? Is this part of the supplier s specifications somewhere? I am also inspired to wonder whether the authors purchased the products in the usual commercial way, as opposed to the manufacturer donating them. Either way, ideally it would have been stated somewhere. As noted, this study involved human tissue donors.  Briefly, 6 mm punch- biopsies were obtained from lesional, PL and visibly non-affected skin of twelve patients affected by non-segmental generalized vitiligo. I am unable to find any description of ethical approval, nor any indication that the patients consented to the use of their tissue in this advertisement for homeopathy. ,