Retracted : In vivo and in vitro effects of microRNA‐124 on human gastric cancer by targeting JAG1 through the Notch signaling pathway
Authors: Hai-Juan Xiao
Qing Ji
Cheng Zhang
Ren-Ting Li
Jun-Ming Hou
Lin Yang
Journal: Journal of Cellular Biochemistry (2018)
Discipline: MOLECULAR BIOLOGY & GENETICS
Keywords: apoptosis; gastric cancer; invasion; jagged1; microRNA-124-3p
Affiliations: State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases and Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, P.R. China., Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, P.R. China., Department of Medical Oncology, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China., Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xianyang Central Hospital, Xianyang, P.R. China., Department of Surgical Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, Shaanxi, P.R. China.

Abstract:  In this study, we aim to determine the function of miR-124 on gastric cancer (GC) cells and the underlying mechanism that involves jaddeg1 (JAG1) and the Notch signaling pathway. GC tissues and adjacent tissues from 100 patients suffering from GC were selected. GC SGC-7901 and AGS cells were selected and grouped into control, mimic-NC, miR-124 mimic, inhibitor-NC, miR-124 inhibitor, and miR-124 inhibitor + si-JAG1 groups. RT-qPCR and a Western blotting assay were conducted to detect the expression of miR-124, JAG1, and Notch signaling pathway-related proteins (NICD, HES1, and HES5). MTS, wound-healing, transwell assay and flow cytometry were performed to detect cell proliferation, migration, invasion, cell cycle distribution, and apoptosis, respectively. Compared with adjacent tissues, a lower miR-124 expression and higher JAG1 expression were found in GC tissues. JAG1 is a direct target gene of miR-124. Compared with the control group, the expression of JAG1, NICD, HES1, and HES5, cell invasion, migration, and proliferation in the miR-124 mimic group were decreased, while the apoptosis rate was increased and cells were arrested at the G0/G1 phase. Compared with the miR-124 inhibitor group, the expression of JAG1, NICD, HES1, and HES5, cell invasion, migration, and proliferation in the miR-124 inhibitor + si-JAG1 group were decreased, while the apoptosis rate and cell ratio at the G0/G1 phase were increased. The demonstration that miR-124 inhibits GC cell growth supports the concept that miR-124 functions as a tumor suppressor by a mechanism that involves translational repression of the JAG1 and the inhibition of Notch signaling pathway. 

Retracted: Yes

PubPeer comments:
 Fig 5A,C.  miR-124 mediates the Notch signaling pathway-related proteins (NICD, HES1 and HES5) among six groups. Notes: A, expression of the Notch signaling pathway-related proteins in SGC-7901 cells detected by western blotting assay;... C, expression of the Notch signaling pathway-related proteins in AGS cells by western blotting assay . ![file] Loading control to C is surprisingly similar to *[left]* and *[middle]* Figs 5B and 4B from [Wen et al (2018)] , and *[right]* 6E from [Zhang et al (2018)] . ![] The control bands of Fig 6A C of [Wang et al (2018)] also show some similarities. ![] , 
 Fig 8A,E.  miR-124 promotes apoptosis of GC cells. Notes: A, effects of miR-124 on apoptosis of SGC-7901 cell by flow cytometry... E, effects of miR-124 on apoptosis of AGS cell by flow cytometry . ![file] Colored rectangles indicate pairs of similar panels within A and E, and also links to (e.g.) Fig 10A of [Li et al (2017)] ![] Fig 7C of [Pan et al (2018)] ; ![] Fic 7C of [Liu et al (2018)] ![] , 
 Retracted [30 June 2021] . --------------------------------------------------- The above article, published online on 23 September 2017 in Wiley Online Library has been retracted by agreement between the 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. ,