Retracted : MicroRNA‐198 inhibition of HGF/c‐MET signaling pathway overcomes resistance to radiotherapy and induces apoptosis in human non–small‐cell lung cancer
Authors: Shanshan Liu
Xiangying Xu
Ying Cui
Chunzi Gao
Feng Xue
Lin Zhu
Songliu Hu
Jianyu Xu
Journal: Journal of Cellular Biochemistry (2018)
Discipline: MOLECULAR BIOLOGY & GENETICS
Keywords: HGF/c-MET signaling pathway; lung adenocarcinoma; microRNA-198; non-small-cell lung cancer; radioresistance.
Affiliations: Department of Radiotherapy, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China., Department of Medical Oncology, Heilongjiang Provincial Hospital, Harbin, China., The Third Affiliated Hospital of SUN YAT-SEN University, Guangzhou, China., The Second Ward of Oncology Department, The First Clinical Hospital affiliated to Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.

Abstract:  Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common cause of death from cancer worldwide. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a group of important regulators in NSCLC, including miR-198. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of miR-198 involvement in intrinsic resistance to radiotherapy in NSCLC remain to be elucidated. In this study, to investigate the clinical significance of miR-198 in NSCLC in relation to the response to radiotherapy, we determined the expression patterns of miR-198 between responders and nonresponders after 2 months of radiotherapy and found that decreased expressions of miR-198 were associated with radiotherapy resistance. In addition, we altered the endogenous miR-198 using mimics or inhibitors to examine the effects of miR-198 on 4-Gy-irradiated A549 and SPCA-1 cells in vitro. Upregulating miR-198 was shown to inhibit cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and induce apoptosis. MiR-198 inhibition produced a reciprocal result. PHA665752, a selective small-molecule c-Met inhibitor, potently inhibited hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)-stimulated and constitutive c-Met phosphorylation and rescued 4-Gy-irradiated A549 and SPCA-1 cells from miR-198 inhibition. Most importantly, we established tumor xenografts of 4-Gy-irradiated A549 and SPCA-1 cells in nude mice and found that miR-198 could suppress tumor formation. Hence, our data delineates the molecular pathway by which miR-198 inhibits NSCLC cellular proliferation and induces apoptosis following radiotherapy, providing a novel target aimed at improving the radiotherapeutic response in NSCLC. 

Retracted: Yes

PubPeer comments:
 Could the authors please comment on the apparent we use of bands in figure 1B? *** Inverse ![file] *** Original ![file] , 
 #1 Same request on Figure 6C. I will refrain from further thoughts until authors have had an opportunity to respond. *** ![file] , 
 Dear Dr Biskrensis: I appreciate your interest in our work and your comment on our article in the article. I have carefully re-examined our manuscript and experimental records. The quality for some WB bands in Figures are low, leading to some confusion about the results. In fact, theses bands are the different bands with difference as indicated in the Figures. Thank you again for reading my article carefully, and I appreciates your work very much agian! ![file] ![file] , 
 #3 Thank you for your reply. Could you please provide the original uncropped scans? As you are probably aware, slight differences can appear even in identical images after image compression and processing. It certainly is possible that I am mistaken, and the original scans will alleviate my concerns. , 
 Thank you for your reply. Here are the original uncropped scans. Figure 6C![file] Figure 1B![file] , 
 #5 Thank you for your reply. I agree there appear to be some differences and I may be mistaken, but the images in the paper appear unexpectedly similar. The images you have provided here do show more differences but they appear to be already cropped, and perhaps printed on paper (?). An image of the uncropped gel from which these came could better address my concerns. I appreciate your patience and cooperation. , 
 Dear Actinopolyspora Biskrensis. when we performed western blot, the PDVF membrane was cut to the indecated size instructed by the protein size and number inorder to incubate with antibdoy, respectively. The images were obtained by the ChemiDoc TMTM XRS+ (Bio-Rad) instead of the developing the film to get the original uncropped scans. , 
 The colony forming assays feature a duplication. ![file] But, wait, there is more. The same assays have been featured in at least two other publications: https: pubpeer.com publications 30C4B226FBDA768041AF53AB1F391A https: pubpeer.com publications B7B7BAA24DEDB2643B70ADECA5DCC9 , 
 ![file] ,