Long non‐coding RNA HOTAIR/microRNA‐206 sponge regulates STC2 and further influences cell biological functions in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Tiancheng Li
Shuifang Xiao
Hong Shen
Yao Qin
Erik Schiferle
Zhen Zhen
Tiechuan Cong
Journal: Cell Proliferation (2019)
Discipline: MOLECULAR BIOLOGY & GENETICS
Keywords: head and neck squamous cell carcinoma; invasion; long non-coding RNA homeobox transcript antisense RNA; microRNA-206; migration
Affiliations: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China., Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.

Abstract:  Objective: It is essential to characterize underlying molecular mechanism associated with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and identify promising therapeutic targets. Herein, we explored role of homeobox transcript antisense RNA (HOTAIR) in HNSCC to regulate stanniocalcin-2 (STC2) by sponging microRNA-206 (miR-206). Methods: HNSCC-related differentially expressed genes and regulation network amongst HOTAIR, miR-206 and STC2 were identified. Next, effect of HOTAIR on cell biological functions of HNSCC was identified after transfection of cells with HOTAIR overexpressed plasmids or siRNA against HOTAIR. PI3K/AKT signalling pathway-related gene expression was measured after miR-206 and STC2 were suppressed. Cell invasion, migration and proliferation were assessed. Finally, tumour growth was assessed to determine the effects of HOTAIR/miR-206/STC2 axis in vivo. Results: HOTAIR specifically bound to miR-206 and miR-206 targeted STC2. Downregulated HOTAIR or upregulated miR-206 suppressed HNSCC cell proliferation, invasion and migration. miR-206 inhibited PI3K/AKT signalling pathway by down-regulating STC2. Besides, silenced HOTAIR or overexpressed miR-206 repressed the tumour growth of nude mice with HNSCC. Conclusion: HOTAIR regulated HNSCC cell biological functions by binding to miR-206 through STC2. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
 Figures 2a and 3a appear to have a repeated image. *** ![file] , 
 Figures 6b and 7b appear to have an image which overlaps, with apparent recoloring. This suggests it is unlikely to be solely an error during figure assembly. *** ![file] , 
 Thank you for your careful comments on our articles. Firstly, we apologized for our faults on those two parts. I will soon examine our original data and reply as soon as possible. , 
 #3 I have yet to see a correction, however I have identified a potentially more serious concern. Figure 1a of this paper seems to include a previously published image from Figure 1A in PLoS ONE (2014), doi: 10.1371 journal.pone.0092847. I did not see any overlapping authors, which makes it difficult to see how an error of this type could occur by accident. I will contact the journal. *** ![file] *** ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. We are grateful to Jiahuai Hanu2019s lab, Xiamen University for the SMAD4 plasmid construction. This study was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NO. 81372640 (to QZJ)) and (NO. 81101844 and NO.81210108027(to C.Huang)), Shanghai Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau (No. 2012040 and NO. 13PJD024 (to C.Huang)) and Shanghai Municipal Health Bureau (No. XYQ2013092 (to C.Huang)). This is an original article and is not being considered for publication elsewhere. All of the authors contributed to the article and are aware of and agree to its submission for publication. ,