Long Non-Coding RNA LINC00466 Knockdown Inhibits Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinoma Malignancy by Targeting microRNA-493/HMGA2
Authors: Yanli Dong
Bo Du
Chao Hou
Journal: Cancer Management and Research (2020)
Discipline: CLINICAL MEDICINE
Keywords: long intergenic non-protein-coding RNA 00466; targeted therapy; tongue squamous cell carcinoma pathogenesis.
Affiliations: Department of Stomatology, Zaozhuang Municipal Hospital, Zaozhuang, Shandong 277100, People's Republic of China.

Abstract:  Purpose: Long intergenic non-protein-coding RNA 00466 (LINC00466) promotes lung adenocarcinoma progression. Nonetheless, the expression and precise roles of LINC00466 in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) remains uncertain and warrant further investigation. Hence, the present study aimed to examine the LINC00466 effects on the aggressive TSCC cell characteristics and to elucidate the potential underlying mechanisms. Methods: First, LINC00466 expression in TSCC was determined by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. Subsequently, cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion in vitro, as well as tumor growth in vivo were assessed to examine the LINC00466 effects on TSCC cells. Results: LINC00466 was upregulated in TSCC. This upregulation was notably associated with shorter overall TSCC patient survival. In vitro experiments indicated that LINC00466 depletion suppressed TSCC cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and promoted apoptosis. An in vivo experiment revealed that LINC00466 downregulation attenuated TSCC tumor growth in vivo. Mechanistic analysis revealed that LINC00466 functions as a microRNA-493 (miR-493) molecular sponge, a miRNA that targets high-mobility group AT-hook 2 (HMGA2) mRNA. LINC00466 upregulated HMGA2 in TSCC cells, and this phenomenon was regulated by the miR-493 sponge. Rescue experiments revealed a decrease in the miR-493/HMGA2 axis output, partially reversing the effects of LINC00466 downregulation on aggressive TSCC cell behavior. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that LINC00466 promotes TSCC cell oncogenicity in vitro and in vivo by upregulating the miR-493/HMGA2 axis output. These results may provide a new perspective and new insight into the molecular mechanisms of TSCC. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
 Another in a series of  Travelling Ruler posts. These six line-ups of xenograft tumors came from different research teams at different institutions, but somehow they seem to use the same ruler to provide scale. Fig 1J from [Zhang, Long Hu (2020)] . Representative images of the tumor xenografts obtained from groups u201csh-LINC00205u201d and u201csh-NCu201d. ![file] Fig 7B from [Liu et al (2020)] .  Images of tumor xenografts derived from sh-OSER1-AS1 or sh-NC-stably transected H522 cells . ![file] Fig 7B from [Yang et al (2020)] .  After 4 weeks, all the mice were euthanized, and the tumor xenografts were excised and photographed. ![file] Fig 6B of [Xing et al (2020)] .  The tumor xenografts obtained from sh-LINC01224 or sh-NC groups. ![file] Fig 6B from [Qi, Lu Wang (2020)] .  Representative photograph of tumor xenografts obtained from the sh-ST7-AS1 and sh-NC groups . ![file] **Fig 7C from [Hou, Dong Du (2020)] **.  Tumor xenografts representative images collected from groups u2018shLINC00466u02b9 and u2018sh-NCu2019. ![file] Of course there are a lot of metal rulers of any given brand within laboratories, but the pattern of smudges and mottling on these six is similar enough to suggest identity. ![file] , 
 Expression of Concern [15 October 2021] . ----------------------------------- The Editor and Publisher of *Cancer Management and Research* wish to publish an Expression of Concern for the published article. Following publication, concerns were raised about the scientific integrity of the articles content. We reached out to the authors requesting they supply information that would confirm the integrity of the data. The authors provided several files in response to our queries but they did not satisfy our requirements to confirm the authenticity of some types of data. In addition, there were unexplained similarities between some of the figures presented in this article, and figures presented in articles by different authors groups. As yet, the authors have not provided a satisfactory explanation for this. Therefore, as we continue to work through the issues raised, we advise readers to interpret the information presented in the article with due caution. The authors have been notified about this Expression of Concern. , 
 Retracted [28 January 2022] . --------------------------------------- At the authors request, the Editor and Publisher of *Cancer Management and Research* wish to retract the published article. Following publication of the Expression of Concern for their article, the authors contacted the journal but were unable to provide a satisfactory explanation for any similarities observed between tumor figures presented in this article, and tumor figures presented in articles by different authors groups. In addition, the authors were unable to provide adequate original data for their study and requested to retract the article. 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. , 
 For the sake of completeness, I note that the flow-cytometry apoptosis plots in the paper -- resembling integral signs or musical clefs - are examples of a sigmoidal style found in products from a [ directly targetting papermill] : ![file] ![file] Another hallmark of the papermill is the stylised string-of-sausages Western Blots. ![file] The mill is one of several covered in a blogpost: https: forbetterscience.com 2021 08 16 cell-cycle-of-angry-axe-wielding-tribbles ,