<p>Propofol Suppresses Proliferation, Migration, Invasion And Promotes Apoptosis By Upregulating microRNA-140-5p In Gastric Cancer Cells</p>
Authors: Liangui Wang
Qiuxia Li
Ying Yang
Fengbo Zhu
Jing Wang
Journal: OncoTargets and Therapy (2019)
Discipline: CLINICAL MEDICINE
Keywords: apoptosis; gastric cancer; miR-140-5p; migration; proliferation
Affiliations: Department of Gastroenterology, Jinan Fifth People's Hospital, Jinan City, Shandong Province 250022, People's Republic of China., Department of Hyperbaric Oxygen, Jinan Fifth People's Hospital, Jinan City, Shandong Province 250022, People's Republic of China., Department of Anesthesiology, Jinan Fifth People's Hospital, Jinan City, Shandong Province 250022, People's Republic of China.

Abstract:  Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the anti-tumor effect of propofol on gastric cancer (GC) and its underlying mechanisms. Patients and methods: SGC-7901 and MKN45 cells were transfected and divided into the following groups: Control group, Propofol group, Propofol+miR-140-5p inhibitor group and miR-140-5p inhibitor group. Moreover, cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion of SGC-7901 and MKN45 cells were evaluated by BrdU incorporation assay, Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining assay, wound healing assay and transwell assay, respectively. The mRNA expressions of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9 were detected by qRT-PCR. Cleaved caspase-3, Bcl-2, MMP-2 and MMP-9 expressions were detected by Western blot. Results: Propofol inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion, but promoted cell apoptosis in SGC-7901 and MKN45 cells. Propofol also elevated the expression of miR-140-5p. Suppression of miR-140-5p could reverse the effects of propofol on the biological behavior of SGC-7901 and MKN45 cells. Meanwhile, propofol treatment increased the expression of cleaved caspase-3 but decreased Bcl-2, MMP-2 and MMP-9 in SGC-7901 and MKN45 cells. The expression of cleaved caspase-3 was downregulated while Bcl-2, MMP-2 and MMP-9 were upregulated by miR-140-5p suppression. Conclusion: Propofol could inhibit cell proliferation, migration and invasion, as well as promote cell apoptosis by upregulating miR-140-5p in gastric cancer cells. 

Retracted: Yes

PubPeer comments:
 Fig 4B.  miR-140-5p participated in the effects of propofol on MKN45 and SGC-7901 cell migration and invasion. (A) Cell migration ability was measured by Wound healing assay. (B) Cell migration ability was tested by Transwell assay . ![file] Red and brown box mark image overlaps with panels of Fig 5A B from [Lu et al (2018)] . ![file] , 
 Fig 4B again. ![file] Light green rectangle marks an overlap with Fig 2E of [Liu et al (2020)] . ![file] , 
 Retracted [16 March 2021] . ------------------------------------- The Editor and Publisher of OncoTargets and Therapy wish to retract the published article. It came to the journalu2019s attention that several images with the article appeared to be duplicated, specifically: - Figure 4B panel MKN45 Control appears to be duplicated with an image from Figure 5A panel NC and Figure 5B panel miR-152 inhibitor from Lu et al: MicroRNA-152 inhibits tumor cell growth while inducing apoptosis via the transcriptional repression of cathepsin L in gastrointestinal stromal tumor (DOI: 10.3233 CBM-170809). - Figure 4B panel MKN45 Propofol+miR-140-5p inhibitor appears to be duplicated with an image from Figure 2E panel Migration P10 from Liu et al: Propofol Reduces Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition, Invasion and Migration of Gastric Cancer Cells through the MicroRNA-195-5p Snail Axis . The authors were unable to provide a satisfactory explanation for the alleged duplication nor were they able to provide the original images for the study. The Editor has determined the findings of the study are no longer valid and requested for the article to be retracted. Our decision-making was informed by our policy on publishing ethics and integrity and the COPE guidelines on retraction. The retracted article will remain online to maintain the scholarly record, but it will be digitally watermarked on each page as u201cRetractedu201d. ,