RETRACTED ARTICLE: MicroRNA-322 Cluster Promotes Tau Phosphorylation via Targeting Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
Authors: Wen Yang
Zanchao Liu
Shiqi Long
Yuanyuan Pei
Jun Zhang
Chicu Xie
Journal: Neurochemical research (2018)
Discipline: NEUROSCIENCE & BEHAVIOR
Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; BDNF–TrkB signal; MicroRNA-322; Tau phosphorylation.
Affiliations: Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550004, People's Republic of China., Department of Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550004, People's Republic of China., The Shijiazhuang Second Hospital of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, 050051, People's Republic of China., Department of Immunology, Basic School of Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550004, People's Republic of China., Department of Immunology, Basic School of Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550004, People's Republic of China. .

Abstract:  Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a crucial regulator to support synaptic plasticity and neuronal survival, its significant decrease is a pathophysiological hallmark in Alzheimer's disease (AD) brains and accounts for poor prognosis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) interfere with the translation of target mRNAs and control a variety of physiological and pathological processes. MiR-322 is the rodent homologue of human miR-424, it is involved in the modulation of cell differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis and metabolic activities in diverse tissues and organs. However, the roles and potential mechanisms of miR-322 remain elusive in AD pathogenesis. Here we observed miR-322 is significantly increased along with BDNF decrease in AD mouse brain. Bioinformatics prediction implicated that BDNF 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) possesses the putative target sequence of miR-322. Luciferase reporter assay identified that miR-322 can directly conjugate to BDNF 3'-UTR. The functional research showed that MiR-322 input deregulates BDNF expression at either mRNA or protein levels, whereas miR-322 silence restores BDNF expression in vitro. Furthermore, we found miR-322 promotes Tau phosphorylation via negatively controlling BDNF-TrkB receptor activation, otherwise MiR-322 silence restores TrkB activation and attenuates tau phosphorylation. Collectively, this study demonstrated a novel miRNA-dependent manner of BDNF degradation in AD pathogenesis, it may drive a miRNAs- or BDNF based therapeutic strategies against Alzheimer's disease. 

Retracted: Yes

PubPeer comments:
 2020 retraction. https: link.springer.com article 10.1007 s11064-020-03077-0 The Editors have retracted this article [1] following an investigation conducted by the journal. After publication concerns were raised regarding interpretation of the data presented in Fig. 4. The Editors requested additional data and clarification to confirm interpretation of data results. After further review, the Editors found that the additional data were not adequate to support the conclusion of the article and that P-values for the additional data were based on improper statistical analyses. With more appropriate statistical analysis, the reported effects for miR-322 and BDNF were not statistically significant. Dr. Chichu Xie agrees to this retraction. None of the other authors have responded to any correspondence from the publisher about this retraction. Reference 1. Zhang J, Liu Z, Pei Y (2018) MicroRNA-322 cluster promotes tau phosphorylation via targeting brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Neurochem Res 43:736u2013744. https: doi.org 10.1007 s11064-018-2475-1 ,