Suppression of miR-93-5p inhibits high-risk HPV-positive cervical cancer progression via targeting of BTG3
Authors: Jie Li
Yuan Zhang
Hua Han
Zhao-Ping Chu
Xiang-Hua Huang
Jun-Qin Zhang
Fei Tian
Journal: Human Cell (2019)
Discipline: MOLECULAR BIOLOGY & GENETICS
Keywords: BTG3; Cervical cancer; High-risk HPV; MiR-93-5p.
Affiliations: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050051, Hebei, China., Department of Gynecology, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang, 050051, Hebei, China., Department of Gynecology, Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, No.215, HePing West Road, Shijiazhuang, 050000, Hebei, China. .

Abstract:  This study explores the role of miR-93-5p in high-risk HPV-positive (HR-HPV) cervical cancer by targeting of BTG3. Cervical tissues were collected from 332 patients with conditions of chronic cervicitis (n = 42), low-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN I, n = 51), CIN II (n = 49), CIN III (n = 43), cervical cancer (n = 90), and normal cervical tissues (n = 57). HR-HPV DNA was detected by Hybrid Capture 2, and the expressions of miR-93-5p and BTG3 were determined by qRT-PCR and Western blot. The target relationship between miR-93-5p and BTG3 was verified by dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. HPV-positive cervical cancer cells (CaSki and HeLa) were divided into control, NC, inhibitor, BTG3, and mimic + BTG3 groups. CCK-8, Annexin V-APC/PI, and Transwell assays were applied to evaluate cell biological activities. MiR-93-5p was positively related but BTG3 was inversely related to HR-HPV infection. Additionally, miR-93-5p expression was negatively correlated with BTG3 expression in cervical cancer tissues infected with HR-HPV. HPV-positive cervical cancer cells showed higher miR-93-5p and lower BTG3 levels than negative cells. CaSki and HeLa cells in the inhibitor group showed increased BTG3 compared with the control group. After transfection with miR-93-5p inhibitor or BTG3 activation plasmid, proliferation and metastasis were inhibited, but apoptosis was promoted. The mimic + BTG3 group showed increased cell proliferation and metastasis but decreased cell apoptosis compared with the BTG3 group. Upregulated miR-93-5p was positively related but downregulated BTG3 was inversely related to HR-HPV infection, and inhibition of miR-93-5p may have blocked HPV-positive cervical cancer development by targeting of BTG3. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
 Fig 7(c).  Effect of miR-93-5p on invasion and migration of CaSki (a, b) and HeLa (c, d) cells via targeting of BTG3 evaluated by Transwell assay . ![file] The lower-right panel (red rectangle) and its vaguely heraldic figure has made a number of appearances, e.g. Fig 6 (TPC-1 section) of [Zhao et al (2016)] . ![] It can be found repeatedly in this montage of Figs 5 and 6 from Zhao et al (at left), with Figure 5A of [Guo et al (2018)] at bottom left; and at right, Figs 7 and 12 from [Li et al (2015)] . ![] The task of identifying other panels of the present Fig 7(c) within that montage is left as an exercise for the reader. , 
 Fig 7(a). ![file] For comparison, Fig 6 from [Li et al (2015)] . ![file] Many other manifestations in that thread. ,