MiR-502-3P suppresses cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma by targeting SET
Authors: Ye Lin
Zhide Li
Haosheng Jin
Zhongshi Wu
Jian Sun
Baohua Hou
Min Yu
Journal: OncoTargets and Therapy (2016)
Discipline: CLINICAL MEDICINE
Keywords: HCC; SET gene; miRNA; recurrence.
Affiliations: Department of General Surgery, Guangdong General Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.

Abstract:  Background/aim: Increasing evidences show that microRNAs are engaged in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim of this study was to investigate the role of miR-502-3P in HCC and to identify its underlying mechanism. Methods: The expression levels of miR-502-3P were assessed in multiple HCC cell lines and in liver tissues of patients with HCC. We further examined the effects of miR-502-3P on malignant behavior of HCC. The molecular target of miR-502-3P was identified using a computer algorithm and confirmed experimentally. Results: Downregulation of miR-502-3P was found in both HCC cell lines and human samples. Overexpression of miR-502-3P dramatically inhibits HCC proliferation, metastasis, invasion, and cell adhesion. We further verify the SET as a novel and direct target of miR-502-3P in HCCs. Conclusion: Taken together, overexpression of miR-502-3P or downregulation of SET may prove beneficial as a therapeutic strategy for HCC treatment. 

Retracted: Yes

PubPeer comments:
 ![file] ![file] Figure 2F, These six wound-healing images all have a common image texture. Surprisingly, the appearance, size and angle are completely the same. This kind of  Mercedes Benz shape repeated texture mark appears , 
 This article is very like another different article (Yu M et al. MiR-144 suppresses cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma by targeting SMAD4. Onco Targets Ther. 2016 Jul 29;9:4705-14). The two papers are highly similar in terms of stripe, figure and title structures. Although the author team of two papers comes from almost the same institutionuff0cbut they just like two peas. The structure of the two papers is almost the same, the research methods and results are the same, and the molecular mechanism routines are the same, only different research objects are changed. In addition to a large number of repeated text descriptions, some pictures are also suspected of being used repeatedly. ![file] , 
 ![file] It s incredible that the two articles studied different miRNAs, but the forward sequence provided in them was 50% repetitive, and the reverse sequence was exactly the same. ![file] , 
 ![file] ![file] **Figure 2F, it s amazing that there s a duplicate image segment at the end in each picture. It s hard to explain how similar these pictures are under different experimental conditions!** ![file] **The upper three pictures are essentially from different screenshots of the same picture!** ![file] **The lower two pictures are essentially from different screenshots of the same picture!** , 
 ![file] Figure 2D, Is this picture funny? As the author said, 99.9 fold reduction! After miR-502 was added, the invasive ability of cancer cells became 0! (there is not a single cell in the picture.). In addition, the background and color of the image are not compatible with the whole experimental image series. Mistaken picture? , 
 ![file] , 
 Retracted [18 May 2021] . ------------------------------------ At the request of the authors, the Editor and Publisher of OncoTargets and Therapy wish to retract the published article. The journal was notified by the authors of potential issues relating to the reliability of the data in the published article. Specifically: - Figure 2F panel 0 h Untreated shares overlap with a section of Figure 2F panel 0 h NC and panel 0 h Mimics. - Figure 2F panel 24 h Untreated shares overlap with a section of Figure 2F panel 24 h NC. - Table 1 describes the forward and reverse primers used for the miRNA has-MiR-502-3p. The forward and reverse primers are 50% identical and completely identical to the forward and reverse primers of the miRNA has-miR-144, respectively, described in Table 1 of Yu et al u2018MiR-144 suppresses cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma by targeting SMAD4u2019 . The authors explained that some of the images had been mislabelled which led to the duplication of images in Figure 2F. The authors explained the primers were designed using the poly A tail-length method and included universal sequences requiring specific changes according to the miRNA. This led to the similarities of the primers described in Table 1 to those described in Yu et al. In addition, the authors could not provide any raw data for the western blots shown in the article. Given the errors and lack of available raw data the authors requested for the article to be retracted and the editor has agreed with this decision. The authors wish to apologise for this error. 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. ,