Long Non-Coding RNA ZEB1-Antisense 1 Affects Cell Migration and Invasion of Cervical Cancer by Regulating Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition via the p38MAPK Signaling Pathway
Authors: Wen-Hui Ju
Hua Liu
Yan Chen
Lu Gan
Journal: Gynecologic and obstetric investigation (2019)
Discipline: CLINICAL MEDICINE
Keywords: Cervical cancer; Epithelial-mesenchymal transition; Long non-coding RNA; ZEB1 antisense 1; p38MAPK.

Abstract:  Aim: To investigate whether long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) ZEB1 antisense 1 (ZEB1-AS1) affects cell migration and invasion of cervical cancer by regulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) via the p38MAPK pathway. Methods: Human cervical cancer cell line Hela was classified into Control, NC siRNA, ZEB1-AS1 siRNA, SB203580 (p38MAPK pathway inhibitor) and ZEB1-AS1 siRNA + Anisomycin (p38MAPK pathway activator) groups. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed for ZEB1-AS1 expression, Western blotting to measure p38MAPK signaling pathway-/EMT-related proteins, and Wound-healing and Transwell assays to evaluate cell migration and invasion respectively. Results: ZEB1-AS1 was upregulated in cancer tissues and related to major clinicopathological features of cervical cancer. Besides, patients with lower-ZEB1-AS1-expression had a higher 5-year survival rate than those patients with higher-ZEB1-AS1-expression. High ZEB1-AS1 expression and advanced Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage were independent risk factors for patients' prognosis. Both ZEB1-AS1 siRNA and SB203580 effectively reduced p-p38 expression and the migration and invasion of Hela cells, with elevation of E-cadherin and reduction of Vimentin and N-cadherin. However, inhibitory effects of ZEB1-AS1 siRNA on EMT as well as cell migration and invasion of the Hela cell were reversed by Anisomycin. Conclusion: Inhibition of ZEB1-AS1 can block the p38MAPK signaling pathway, ultimately restricting the EMT and suppressing cell migration and invasion of cervical cancer cells. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
 Fig 3(b).  Effect of ZEB1-AS1-mediated p38 MAPK pathway on the migration and invasion of Hela cells. ... b,u00a0d The invasion ability of Hela cells in each group detected by Transwell invasion assay.  The Control panel overlaps with the NC siRNA and the far-right panel, after rotations and rescaling. More to the point, there are overlaps between these panels and *[below]* Fig 7A from [Xiong et al (2018)] . ![file] The details are the same though the color palette is different in Fig 5F of [Xie et al (2017)] . ![] , 
 Retracted [20 November 2021] . ---------------------- The article u201cLong Non-Coding RNA ZEB1-Antisense 1 Affects Cell Migration and Invasion of Cervical Cancer by Regulating Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition via the p38MAPK Signaling Pathwayu201d [Gynecol Obstet Invest. 2019;84:136u201344, DOI: 10.1159 000493265] by Lu Gan, Yan Chen, Hua Liu, and Wen-Hui Ju has been retracted by the Publisher and the Editor. After the publication of this article, concerns were raised about the integrity of some of the data presented. Specifically, elements of Figure 3b in this article were presented in other articles without justification. The authors did not respond to requests to comment on the concerns and provide the raw data within the given timeframe despite multiple attempts of contact. The matter has been raised to the corresponding authoru2019s institution who did not respond to our request for an investigation. Given the severity of the concerns raised, this article is being retracted. The authors have not responded to our correspondence regarding this retraction despite multiple attempts of contact. ,