Inhibition of Notch signaling pathway enhanced the radiosensitivity of breast cancer cells
Authors: Hong-Yuan Li
Xin Liu
Xiao-Lin Wang
Jun-Long Song
Liang Ran
Zhi-Ting Zhang
Jian-Heng Peng
Journal: Journal of Cellular Biochemistry (2018)
Discipline: MOLECULAR BIOLOGY & GENETICS
Keywords: MCF-7 cell; Notch signaling pathway; T47D cell; breast cancer; radiosensitivity.
Affiliations: Department of Physical Examination, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China., Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, P. R. China., Department of Endocrine and Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China.

Abstract:  This study aimed to investigate the effect of inhibiting the Notch signaling pathway on the radiosensitivity of breast cancer cells. Human breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and T47D) were selected and treated with radiation of different doses. Cells were treated with Gamma secretase inhibitor (GSI) to analyze the effects of GSI on the Notch signaling, which were detected by Immunofluorescence assay, RT-qPCR, and Western blot analysis. Besides, Transwell assay, Scratch test, colony formation assay, MTT assay, and flow cytometry were conducted to show the effects of GSI on the invasion and migration, survival fraction, cell viability, and apoptosis of MCF-7 and T47D cells after radiation therapy. Moreover, cell transfection with a dominant negative mutant of RBPJ, the key transcription factor of Notch signaling pathway, were also applied to show the inhibition of Notch signaling pathway. Initially, we found that the 4 Gy radiation activated Notch signaling pathway, and enhanced the invasion and migration of MCF-7 and T47D cells. However, GSI inhibited the Notch signaling pathway, and reversed the enhancement of radiation on the migration and invasion, promoted the enhancement of apoptosis and inhibition of proliferation of MCF-7 and T47D cells induced by radiation. Except that, we also determined that GSI and dnRBPJ suppressed the upregulation of Notch signaling after radiation therapy. Our study demonstrated that inhibition of the Notch signaling pathway enhanced the radiosensitivity of breast cancer cells, which may provide evident for a beneficial adjuvant therapy in the breast cancer treatment. 

Retracted: Yes

PubPeer comments:
  FIGURE 7 Transwell assay assessed the effect of GSI on cell invasion of MCF-7 and T47D cells after radiation . ![file] Lots of repeated features here. In fact it is easier to erase the areas that **aren t** repeated between the two rows. ![file] , 
 Figs 1A, and 4B,D. ![file] These WBs come from a distinctive, recognised oeuvre. A few other appearances chosen from random PubPeer threads: ![] ![] , 
 #1 Dear Pubpeer, I apologize for the delayed respond. I sincerely thank you to comment on our paper. Appreciate your great help to find the errors. Honestly, the stupid mistakes drive us to crazy. I investigate the truth. The second author, a graduate in charge of a part of assay at that time, was a fresher. When assay was done she showed us the data which looked good. But Her computer got virus and system crash. She tried to repair the computer, but some part of raw photos were lost. She didn t do backup. Avoiding delaying the date of submitting, she gave us the stupid pictures which is not our intention. The first author did not check the figures carefully and put them directly into the paper. We tried to but unfortunately failed to find the raw data. I will contact the editor. We will try to repeat the assay and correct the errors. As a doctor, I cure patients meticulously, and be willing to help patients all my life. All creatures is great and small. The other authors have their dreams. We promise no mistake happen again. The author team apologises for any inconvenience caused. Beg forgiveness. Best wishes. , 
 How can the raw data be so hard to find when there are copies of it in hundreds of papers by different authors? , 
 Retracted [19 July 2021] . ---------------------------------------------- The above article, published online on 15 June 2018 in Wiley Online Library has been retracted by agreement between the journal s Editor in Chief, Prof. Dr. Christian Behl, and Wiley Periodicals LLC. The retraction has been agreed following an investigation based on allegations raised by a third party. A detailed investigation revealed that several image elements of the experimental data were published elsewhere in a different scientific context. Thus, the editors consider the conclusions of this article to be invalid. ,