MicroRNA differential expression spectrum and microRNA-125a-5p inhibition of laryngeal cancer cell proliferation
Authors: Ping Li
Ji-Sheng Wang
Xiang-Dong Yao
Journal: Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine (2017)
Discipline: CLINICAL MEDICINE
Keywords: cancer; cell proliferation; laryngeal; microRNA; microarray chip.
Affiliations: Ear, Nose and Throat Department, Xinxiang Central Hospital, Xinxiang, Henan 453000, P.R. China.

Abstract:  The present study aimed to screen and analyze the differential expression spectrum of microRNA (miRNA) between laryngeal cancer tissue and surrounding normal laryngeal mucosa in order to provide an indication for further study to determine the role of miRNA in the initiation and development of laryngeal cancer. A total of 42 pairs of specimens of laryngeal carcinoma tissues and adjacent normal laryngeal mucosa were collected. A total of 10 pairs of specimens were randomly selected for miRNA microarray gene chip analysis, and the remaining 32 pairs of specimens were used for reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) verification to identify miRNA that were differentially expressed in laryngeal cancer tissues. Methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide and clone formation assays were utilized to elucidate the physiological relevance of the miRNA miR-125a-5p on the proliferation of laryngeal cancer human epithelial type 2 (Hep2) cells. Results demonstrated that the expression levels of six miRNA were significantly downregulated in laryngeal carcinoma tissue, as identified by gene chip analysis and RT-qPCR (P&lt;0.05). The six miRNA included let-7f-5p, miR-10a-5p, miR-125a-5p, miR-144-3p, miR-195-5p and miR-203. Compared with the control group, the proliferative ability of laryngeal cancer Hep2 cells was inhibited in a transfected miR-125a-mimics group. In contrast, proliferation was promoted in a transfected miR-125a-inhibitor group. In conclusion, the results of gene chip analysis were consistent with that of RT-qPCR. Results demonstrated that miRNA in laryngeal cancer and normal laryngeal mucosa exhibited evident differential expression, which may contribute to the laryngeal cancer incidence and invasion. miR-125a was able to inhibit the proliferation of Hep2 laryngeal cancer cells and, therefore, may serve as a novel target for laryngeal cancer biological therapy. 

Retracted: Yes

PubPeer comments:
 Retracted [24 March 2021]().  An interested reader drew to our attention the fact that the data shown in Figs. 1-5 and in Table I in the above paper had already appeared in the following paper, published in the Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology in 2013 by a different research group [Zhang S-y, Lu Z-m, Song X-h, Zhang H-b, Chen L-s, Luo X-n, Chen S-h and Wu Y-l: Differential microRNA expression profile in laryngeal cancer and effect of miR-125a-5p on proliferation of laryngeal cancer cell line. *Chin J Pathophysiol* 29: 86-92, 2013], 2 years prior to its submission to Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine.  Following an investigation, the Editor of *Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine* was able to confirm that the data drawn to our attention were duplicated. This matter was taken up with the authors of the above article, who were unable to demonstrate that the data predated their appearance in *Chin J Pathophysiol*. On those grounds, the Editor of *Experimental and Theraputic Medicine* has decided that the above paper should be retracted. The Editor deeply regrets any inconvenience that this retraction has caused to the authors of the previously published paper, and to the readership of the Journal. ,