Function of miR‑152 as tumor suppressor in oral squamous cell carcinoma cells by targeting c‑MET
Authors: Yumei Wang
Zhihong Li
Lei Wang
Xue Wang
Minghe Li
Cong Zhao
Journal: Oncology Reports (2017)
Discipline: CLINICAL MEDICINE
Keywords: MicroRNA-152; tumor development; progression; oral squamous cell carcinoma cells; OSCC
Affiliations: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China., Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China., Department of Dentistry, The General Hospital of FAW, Changchun, Jilin 1300000, P.R. China., Department of Endodontics, Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China., Department of Periodontology, Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China.

Abstract:  MicroRNA‑152 (miR‑152) has been reported to be involved in tumor development and progression in multiple cancers. However, the expression level, biological function and regulatory mechanisms of miR‑152 in oral squamous cell carcinoma cells (OSCC) remain unclear. The aims of this study were therefore to investigate the role of miR‑152 in OSCC and the relevant mechanism. It was found that miR‑152 was downregulated in OSCC cell lines and tissues, and that decreased miR‑152 was closely associated with lymph node metastasis, and patient survival rate. In vitro restoration of miR‑152 significantly repressed cell proliferation, colony formation, migration and invasion of OSCC cells. Notably, cellular-mesenchymal to epithelial transition factor (c‑MET) and its downstream signaling pathway (PI3K/AKT) was downregulated in OSCC cells by miR‑152 through direct interactions with its 3' untranslated region. Restoring c‑MET expression attenuated miR‑152-induced inhibitory effects in OSCC cells. In vivo study confirmed that restoration of miR‑152 suppressed tumor growth in xenograft nude mice by repressing c‑MET. In summary, the present study highlight miR‑152 as a tumor suppressor in OSCC through direct targeting c‑MET, rendering miR‑152 a promising therapeutic target for oral squamous cell carcinoma. 

Retracted: Yes

PubPeer comments:
 *[left]* Fig 6B.  The mice were sacrificed at 30 days after inoculation, and the tumor tissues were imaged . *[right]* Fig 6B from [Liu et al (2017)] .  Photographs of xenograft tumors from nude mice in each treatment group on day 35 after injection . I have concerns. ![file] , 
 Fig 2C.  colony formation ... detected in SCC-9 cells transfected with miR-NC or miR-152 mimic . ![file] The NC panel is the same as the U2OS NC panel in Fig 2C of [Fei et al (2016)] , while the miR-152 is a combination of that other figure s U2OS miR-187 and MG63 NC panels. ![file] Further appearances in Fig 2C from [Wang et al (2017)] . , 
 *[left]* Fig 5C.  colony formation ... detected in SCC9 cells transfected with miR-NC or and miR-152 mimic with without c-MET overexpression plasmid . *[right]* Fig 5C from [Li et al (2017)] .  colony formation ... determined in SKOV3 cells transfected with miR-218 mimic or miR-NC with or without RUNX2 overexpression plasmid . ![file] Unexpected similarities - with a 180-deg flip in the case of the plates marked with red circles, and the addition removal of a few colonies for the plates marked with blue circles. , 
 *[above]* Fig 5C. *[below]* Fig 2C from [Feng et al (2018)] .  Colony formation assay revealed that oncogenic survival was significantly decreased in sh-GACAT3 cells compared with that in sh-NC cells. ![file] Could the authors comment on the similarities, more apparent after a 90-deg rotation? , 
 Further adventures of the colony plates. *[left]* Fig 5C from [Li et al (2017a)] .  colony formation ... detected in SCC9 cells transfected with miR-NC or and miR-152 mimic with without c-MET overexpression plasmid . *[right]* Fig 5C from [Li et al (2017b)] .  colony formation ... determined in SKOV3 cells transfected with miR-218 mimic or miR-NC with or without RUNX2 overexpression plasmid . ![] Fig 2C from [Liu et al (2017)] .  colony formation ... determined in HepG2 cells transfected with miR-365 mimic or miR-NC. ![file] , 
 Retracted [4 January 2022] .  Following the publication of this paper, it was drawn to the Editorsu2019 attention by a concerned reader that certain of the representative tumor images shown in Fig. 6B were strikingly similar to images appearing in different form in another article by different authors. Subsequently to the comments raised by the reader, the authors themselves contacted the Editorial Office to request a retraction of the above paper on account of not being to reproduce the results shown in the in vivo experiments. Owing to the fact that the contentious data in the above article had already been published elsewhere prior to its submission to *Oncology Reports*, and in line with the authorsu2019 own request, the Editor has decided that this paper should be retracted from the Journal. The Editor apologizes to the readership for any inconvenience caused. ,