Knockdown of long noncoding RNA 00152 (LINC00152) inhibits human retinoblastoma progression
Authors: Songtian Che
Zhihua Cui
Songhe Li
Hua Ren
Jilong Hao
Yabin Sun
Dacheng Wen
Journal: OncoTargets and Therapy (2018)
Discipline: CLINICAL MEDICINE
Keywords: LINC00152; invasion; proliferation; retinoblastoma.
Affiliations: Department of Ophthalmology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, People's Republic of China., Department of Gastrointestinal Nutrition and Hernia Surgery, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, People's Republic of China., Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, People's Republic of China.

Abstract:  Background: A growing body of evidence supports the involvement of long noncoding RNA 00152 (LINC00152) in the progression and metastasis of multiple cancers. However, the exact roles of LINC00152 in the progression of human retinoblastoma (RB) remain unknown. We explored the expression and biological function of human RB. Materials and methods: The expression level of LINC00152 in RB tissues and cells was analyzed using quantitative real-time PCR. The function of LINC00152 was determined using a series of in vitro assays. In vivo, a nude mouse model was established to analyze the function of LINC00152. Gene and protein expressions were detected using quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot assays, respectively. Results: The expression of LINC00152 mRNA was upregulated in RB tissues and cell lines. Knockdown of LINC00152 significantly inhibited cell proliferation, colony formation, migration, and invasion and promoted cell apoptosis and caspase-3 and caspase-8 activities in vitro, as well as suppressing tumorigenesis in vivo. We identified several genes related to proliferation, apoptosis, and invasion including Ki-67, Bcl-2, and MMP-9 that were transcriptionally inactivated by LINC00152. Conclusion: Taken together, these data implicate LINC00152 as a therapeutic target in RB. 

Retracted: Yes

PubPeer comments:
 Fig 6B.  Tumor tissues were imaged after tumors were harvested on day 30 . ![file] The inconsistent direction of shadows and lighting fosters an unfortunate impression that these tumors were assembled digitally rather than on a physical table-top. The impression is encouraged by the duplication of two tumors (pink box), and the appearance of the same tumors, differently arranged, in other papers from research teams that are not obviously related (except in having Jilin University as their institution). Fig 2D from [Liu et al (2019)] : ![file] Fig 6B from [Li et al (2018)] . ![file] Other manifestations are linked in those threads. , 
 Retracted [26 January 2022] . ---------------------------- The Editor and Publisher of *OncoTargets and Therapy* wish to retract the published paper. Concerns were raised regarding the alleged manipulation and duplication of tumor images shown in Figure 6B. Specifically: - Figure 6B, top row images for sh-NC, appear to be duplicated with images of the same tumors in Figure 2D from Liu et al, 2019 and Figure 6B from Li et al, 2018 . - Similarly, Figure 6B, bottom row images for sh-LINC00152, also appear to be duplicated with images of the same tumors in Figure 2D from Liu et al, 2019 and Figure 6B from Li et al, 2018 . The authors responded to our queries but could not provide a satisfactory explanation for the alleged duplication or provide adequate raw data for their study. The findings of the study were deemed invalid and the Editor requested for the article to be retracted. Our decision-making was informed by our policy on publishing ethics and integrity and the COPE guidelines on retraction. The retracted article will remain online to maintain the scholarly record, but it will be digitally watermarked on each page as u201cRetractedu201d. ,