Geniposide plays anti-tumor effects by down-regulation of microRNA-224 in HepG2 and Huh7 cell lines
Authors: Shujun Tao
Yu Wang
Shulun Sun
Xue Yu
Journal: Experimental and molecular pathology (2020)
Discipline: CLINICAL MEDICINE
Keywords: AKT; Geniposide; Liver cancer; Wnt/β-catenin; miR-224.
Affiliations: Department of Hepatopathy, Qingdao No.6 People's Hospital, Qingdao 266033, China., Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Qingdao No.6 People's Hospital, Qingdao 266033, China. Electronic address: .

Abstract:  Background/aims: Liver cancer is distinguished as an irredeemable disease. We detected the geniposide (GEN) in HepG2 and Huh7 cell lines. Methods: HepG2 and Huh7 cells were individually induced with GEN dilutions, and then they were transfected with microRNA (miR)-224 overproduction vector (miR-224 mimic) as well as the corresponding negative control (NC). Cell viability was detected with the CCK-8. The apoptotic rate was determined by the Annexin V-FITC/PI with flow cytometer. The migration or invasion rates were separately determined by migration assay or millicell hanging cell culture. The expression of miR-224 was quantified depending on qRT-PCR. Relative proteins were individually determined via western blot. Results: GEN treatment induced inhibition of HepG2 and Huh7 cells proliferation, migration and invasion but promotion of apoptosis. miR-224 was down-regulated by GEN. Transfection of miR-224 mimic led to high expression of miR-224, which partly rescued cancer cells survival by prohibiting cell apoptosis. Moreover, the production of Wnt/β-catenin and AKT proteins was notably reduced by GEN but increased by overexpressed miR-224. Conclusion: GEN played anti-tumor roles by targeting miR-224 via blocking the Wnt/β-catenin and AKT cascades in the HepG2 and Huh7 cells. 

Retracted: Yes

PubPeer comments:
 This paper is one of at least 30 papers by the same research group that all share the same photo. In all papers, this photo is used as a zoomed-in inset representing the high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) analysis of the  atomic lattice fringe and particle size of the nanoparticles. Of concern, the same photo is used to represent a different type of nanoparticle in each of these papers. Here is a collage of 6 different uses of the same photo,  Inset 1 : ![file] Here is a list of the 30 papers identified so far that all use this photo, and the different types of nanoparticles that they represent. * Aysenur Aygun et al. - DOI: 10.1016 j.jpba.2019.112961 - Nigella sativa Pt * Aysun Su0327avk et al. - DOI: 10.1016 j.molliq.2019.112355 - PtNi@AC * Aysun Su0327avk et al. - DOI: 10.1016 j.msec.2019.01.113 - ZnNi@f-MWCNT * Aysun Su0327avk et al. - DOI: 10.1038 s41598-019-55746-y - PdNi@rGO * Betuu0308l Su0327en et al. - DOI: 10.1016 j.ijhydene.2018.03.175 - Pd@GO * Betuu0308l Su0327en et al. - DOI: 10.1016 j.nanoso.2017.08.013 - PdRu@GO * Betuu0308l Su0327en et al. - DOI: 10.1016 j.apcatb.2017.11.067 - RhPt TC@GO * Betuu0308l Su0327en et al. - DOI: 10.1016 j.ijhydene.2018.07.081 - Pd-Ir@AC * Betuu0308l Su0327en et al. - DOI: 10.1016 j.jcis.2018.05.021 - Ru-Ni@PVP * Betuu0308l Su0327en et al. - DOI: 10.1016 j.nanoso.2018.07.008 - Pd@AC * Betuu0308l Su0327en et al. - DOI: 10.1016 j.ijhydene.2018.07.122 - PdRuNi@GO * Betuu0308l Su0327en et al. - DOI: 10.1016 j.ijhydene.2019.01.215 - PdCo@GO * Betuu0308l Su0327en et al. - DOI: 10.1016 j.jtice.2019.04.040 - PdNi@VC * Betuu0308l Su0327en et al. - DOI: 10.1016 j.ijhydene.2018.12.051 - PdCo@MOF * Betuu0308l Su0327en et al. - DOI: 10.1016 j.ijhydene.2019.02.176 - RuCu@rGO * Birguu0308tay Su0327ahin et al. - DOI: 10.1016 j.colsurfb.2017.12.042 - Pt * Buse Demirkan et al. - DOI: 10.1038 s41598-020-59935-y - rGO Pd@PPy * Buse Demirkan et al. - DOI: 10.1038 s41598-019-48802-0 - Pt-Co@rGO * Fatma Diler et al. - DOI: 10.1016 j.molliq.2019.111967 - Pd@GO * Hayriye Genc Bilgicli et al. - DOI: 10.1016 j.micromeso.2020.110014 - CPG * Hilal Acidereli et al. - DOI: 10.1016 j.renene.2020.07.105 - PdRu@G * Mehmet Salih Nas et al. - DOI: 10.1016 j.molliq.2019.112100 - Pt-Co@GO * Nabih Lolak et al. - DOI: 10.1021 acsomega.9b00485 - PdNi@GO * Oznur Alptekin et al. - DOI: 10.1039 D0CY00641F - PtRh@GO * Rukiye Ayranci et al. - DOI: 10.1016 j.msec.2019.02.040 - Pt Ni@rGO * Sait Bozkurt et al. - DOI: 10.1016 j.aca.2017.07.051 - Pd TNM@rGO * Sinan Eris et al. - DOI: 10.1016 j.jcis.2017.11.085 - Pt@f-CB * Sinan Eris et al. - DOI: 10.1016 j.ijhydene.2017.11.063 - Pt@f-VC * Suat Tacu0327yu0131ldu0131z et al. - DOI: 10.1016 j.molliq.2019.04.019 - Ru-Rh@PVP * Zeynep Dasu0327delen et al. - DOI: 10.1016 j.apcatb.2017.08.014 - Pt@GO-PVP Here is Figure 1 of this paper: ![file] , 
 That is also for me 5th copy of the same histogram for particle size. Possibly more to be found. ![file] https: doi.org 10.1038 s41598-020-59935-y http: dx.doi.org 10.1002 slct.201600207 https: doi.org 10.1016 j.bios.2017.01.045 https: doi.org 10.1038 s41598-019-55746-y , 
 The TEM image presented in Figure 1 of this paper (representing RuCu@rGO NPs; left) appears to show an overlap with the TEM image in Figure 1 of Betul Sen et al. DOI: 10.1016 j.ijhydene.2019.01.215 https: pubpeer.com publications 84149CB9E25F81C42DD0FAABDCBCE2 (PdCo@GO; right) as shown below with orange boxes. ![file] , 
 Ru XPS spectra of RuCu@rGO NPs and RuCo@G-MWCNT NPs https: pubpeer.com publications B0E63DC7297A3FC911A52B3DF7BE37 are surpisingly similar with all noise ![file] ,