Proliferation of Ovarian Granulosa Cells in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Is Regulated by MicroRNA-24 by Targeting Wingless-Type Family Member 2B (WNT2B)
Authors: Song Xiaojie
Wang Zeqin
Xiang Yun
Liu Liping
Zhou Jieqiong
Zhong Yuanyuan
Journal: Medical Science Monitor (2019)
Discipline: CLINICAL MEDICINE
Keywords: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS); miR-324; infertility; endocrine disorder; molecular mechanisms
Affiliations: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China (mainland)., Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ninth Hospital of Wuhan, Wuhan, Hubei, China (mainland)., Department of Clinical Lab, Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China (mainland).

Abstract:  BACKGROUND Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder causing infertility among reproductive-age women. The molecular mechanisms underlying the development of PCOS are not well understood, and effective treatment options and therapeutic targets for PCOS are not available. This study was designed to investigate the role and therapeutic potential of miR-324 in PCOS. MATERIAL AND METHODS We used quantitative real time-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) to assess expression. Cell viability was determined by [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] (MTT) assay. Acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) and annexin V/PI staining were performed to examine apoptosis. Western blot analysis was used to determine protein expression. RESULTS Results showed that the expression of miR-324 was aberrantly and significantly downregulated in PCOS ovarian tissues and KGN ovarian granulosa cells. Nonetheless, ectopic expression of miR-324 expression inhibited the viability of KGN cells via induction of apoptotic cell death. In silico analysis showed Wingless-Type family member 2B (WNT2B) to be the target of miR-324, which was also validated by dual-luciferase reporter assay. We also found that the expression of WNT2B was upregulated in the KGN cells, and overexpression of miR-324 inhibited WNT2B expression. Similar to WNT2B overexpression, WNT2B silencing decreased the viability of the KGN. Furthermore, overexpression of WNTB2 in KGN partially reversed the growth-inhibitory effects of miR-324 overexpression. CONCLUSIONS miR-324 regulates the proliferation of KGN cells in PCOs and be essential in the management of PCOS. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
 This paper belongs to a set of over 400 papers (as per February 2020) that share very similar Western blots with tadpole-like shaped bands, the same background pattern, and striking similarities in title structures, paper layout, bar graph design, and - in a subset - flow cytometry panels. Despite these similarities, these papers are authored by researchers from different departments and institutes, with almost no overlap in authors. The list of these papers is available here: https: docs.google.com spreadsheets d 1KXqTAyl4j-jVorFPMD2XRpr76LcIKJ0CVyIvRj0exYQ edit?usp=sharing A more detailed description of this set of papers, suspected to all be generated by a common source, a paper mill , can be found here: * https: forbetterscience.com 2020 01 24 the-full-service-paper-mill-and-its-chinese-customers (January 2020) * https: scienceintegritydigest.com 2020 02 21 the-tadpole-paper-mill (February 2020) The same paper mill has been described in these papers: * Jana Christopher - Systematic fabrication of scientific images revealed - FEBS Letters (2018) - https: febs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com doi full 10.1002 1873-3468.13201 * Jennifer A Byrne and Jana Christopher - Digital magic, or the dark arts of the 21st centuryu2014how can journals and peer reviewers detect manuscripts and publications from paper mills? - FEBS Letters (2020) - https: febs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com doi full 10.1002 1873-3468.13747 , 
 Via http: www.most.gov.cn zxgz kycxjs kycxgzdt 202203 t20220318_179892.html u3000u300011. The paper  Down-regulation of microRNA-23b aggravates LPS-induced inflammatory injury in chondrogenic ATDC5 cells by targeting PDCD4 by Yang Zhongmeng of the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University as the corresponding author and the first author. After investigation, it was found that the paper had ghostwriting and falsification of research data. Yang Zhongmeng will be dealt with as follows: 5 years of qualifications for promotion of professional titles, application for scientific and technological plans (special projects, funds, etc.), assessment and evaluation, and other qualifications for 5 years, shall not apply for the qualification of postgraduate tutors for life, shall not be hired as teachers, and the post level shall be reduced by one. class. u3000u3000(Notification link: http: xuefeng.sysu.edu.cn gzdt 1398704.htm) ,