miR-124 inhibits proliferation and invasion of human retinoblastoma cells by targeting STAT3
Authors: Guang Shi
Huang Wu
Yingxue Wang
Yarong Li
Shu Liu
Chunmei Hu
Journal: Oncology Reports (2016)
Discipline: CLINICAL MEDICINE
Keywords: microRNA-124; tumor-suppressor; retinoblastoma; cell proliferation; migration
Affiliations: Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Nanguan, Changchun, Jilin 130041, P.R. China., Department of Tumor and Hematology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Nanguan, Changchun, Jilin 130041, P.R. China., Department of Electrical Diagnosis, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Nanguan, Changchun, Jilin 130041, P.R. China.

Abstract:  A growing body of evidence suggests that microRNA-124 (miR-124) functions as tumor-suppressor, and involves in tumor initiation, development and metastasis in major classes of human cancers; however, the biological role and underlying molecular mechanism of miR-124 in retinoblastoma (RB) remain unknown. Therefore, we investigated the biological activity and underlying molecular mechanism of miR-124 in human retinoblastoma. In the present study, our results demonstrated the downregulation of miR-124 in RB tissues and RB cell lines compared with normal retinal tissues. The ectopic expression of miR-124 in the RB cell lines (Y79 and SO-RB50) suppresses cell proliferation, migration and invasion, induced cell apoptosis in vitro. Furthermore, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) was identified as a new target of miR-124, and overexpression of miR-124 decreased STAT3 expression on mRNA level and protein level in human RB cells. We also found that STAT3 mRNA expression was upregulated and inversely correlated with miR-124 expression in the RB tissues (r=-0.683; P&lt;0.001). Restoration of the expression of STAT3 rescues the effects induced by miR-124 in RB cells. The findings of the present study suggested that miR-124 functioned as tumor suppressor in RB, at least in part, by targeting STAT3, and that it could serve as a potential candidate for RB therapeutics. 

Retracted: Yes

PubPeer comments:
 Fig 6A.  After 72 h of transfection, PAX6 protein levels in indicated cells were detected by western blot analysis . ![file] Fig 6B from [Ren et al (2016)] .  PTEN expression on ... protein level (b) was determined in A549 cells transfected si-PTEN or si-NC. GAPDH was used as an internal control . ![file] Could the authors comment on the appearance of the same loading control? , 
 Dear Hoya Camphorifolia, Thank you for your comment, we will examine orignal data and images, and reply your concern soon. Best regards Yarong Li April,19,2021 , 
 Another sighting of the same loading control! Fig 5B from [Wen et al (2015)] .  Western blotting determined cyclin D1, MMP-7, CCND1 and c-Myc expression in TPC-1 cells after transfected with miR-126 mimic or miR-Ctrl. u03b2-actin was the internal control. ![file] , 
 Dear Hoya Camphorifolia, Thank you for your comment, we will examine orignal data and figure to reply your about this question. Best regards Huang Wu , 
 In an attempt to be systematic, I drew up a chart of loading controls. I hope this helps with investigations. ![file] They appear in nine papers (so far). I have listed them in order of PMID but I have no idea of the actual order of publication, or who could have borrowed from whom: Zhang et al (2015).  MicroRNA-133a functions as a tumor suppressor by targeting IGF-1R in hepatocellular carcinoma . **1** pubmed: 26156803 doi: 10.1007 s13277-015-3749-8 https: pubpeer.com publications 0E1553149DB9C07C79AE9AA98B423A Wen et al (2015).  miR-126 inhibits papillary thyroid carcinoma growth by targeting LRP6 . **1, 2, 3** pubmed: 26239517 doi: 10.3892 or.2015.4165 https: pubpeer.com publications 6ABA315E06CFE3A6221A98EFABDD67 Wu et al (2015).  MicroRNA-128 suppresses cell growth and metastasis in colorectal carcinoma by targeting IRS1 . **4** pubmed: 26352220 doi: 10.3892 or.2015.4251 https: pubpeer.com publications A879465BECECEBC98D393381F4F78F Ren et al (2016).  MicroRNA-92a promotes growth, metastasis, and chemoresistance in non-small cell lung cancer cells by targeting PTEN . **1,2,4** pubmed: 26432332 doi: 10.1007 s13277-015-4150-3 https: pubpeer.com publications A33D1FC9CB601204841FD284BF215A Li et al (2016).  miR-29a suppresses growth and metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinoma by targeting AKT3 . **1,4,5** pubmed: 26482618 doi: 10.1007 s13277-015-4165-9 https: pubpeer.com publications 7309F9AAD9BC0C7F8543AF230CC3CC Pang et al (2015).  miR-154 targeting ZEB2 in hepatocellular carcinoma functions as a potential tumor suppressor . **1,2,3,4** pubmed: 26503460 doi: 10.3892 or.2015.4321 https: pubpeer.com publications DF107B851B56324705EA0923E5A52C Dong et al (2016).  MiR-137 acts as a tumor suppressor in papillary thyroid carcinoma by targeting CXCL12 . **1** pubmed: 26847706 doi: 10.3892 or.2016.4604 https: pubpeer.com publications B12851EE8DAD041AF42E8DD460F790 Han et al (2016).  MicroRNA-874 inhibits growth, induces apoptosis and reverses chemoresistance in colorectal cancer by targeting X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein . **3** pubmed: 27221209 doi: 10.3892 or.2016.4810 https: pubpeer.com publications 2B28DA2CC5F850AC09F4F095B7FE6A **Liu et al (2016)**.  miR-124 inhibits proliferation and invasion of human retinoblastoma cells by targeting STAT3 . **2** pubmed: 27498908 doi: 10.3892 or.2016.4999 https: pubpeer.com publications 0422141E07B8697374077B49E6E926 ----------------------------------------------- In the present case we have Fig 6A. ![file] , 
 Dear Hoya Camphorifolia, Thank you for your comment, we would investigate these questions. Best regards , 
 Retracted [23 September 2021] . --------------- Following the publication of this paper, it was drawn to the Editors attention by a concerned reader that the GAPDH bands shown in the western blots in Fig. 6A were strikingly similar to data appearing in different form in other articles by different authors. Owing to the fact that the contentious data in the above article had already been published elsewhere prior to its submission to *Oncology Reports*, the Editor has decided that this paper should be retracted from the Journal. After having been in contact with the authors, they agreed with the decision to retract the paper. The Editor apologizes to the readership for any inconvenience caused. ,