MicroRNA-200b inhibits the growth and metastasis of glioma cells via targeting ZEB2
Authors: Zhiping Zhang
Jian Yuan
Jie Zhao
Jingping Liu
Jian Li
Xianrui Yuan
Ling Weng
Journal: International Journal of Oncology (2016)
Discipline: CLINICAL MEDICINE
Keywords: MicroRNAs; miR-200b; glioma; ZEB2; tumor suppressor
Affiliations: Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, P.R. China., Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, P.R. China.

Abstract:  MicroRNAs (miRs) have been found to play important roles in mediating a variety of biological processes in human cancers, including tumor cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). In the present study, we aimed to investigate the putative role of miR‑200b in the progression of glioma. Real-time RT-PCR data showed that the miR‑200b levels were frequently reduced in primary glioma tissues (n=88) and cell lines, when compared to normal brain tissues (n=25). Moreover, decreased miR‑200b level was tightly associated with the malignant progression of glioma. Overexpression of miR‑200b significantly suppressed cell proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT in glioma U251 and U87 cells. Luciferase reporter assay data further identified ZEB2 as a direct target of miR‑200b, and the protein expression of ZEB2 was markedly reduced after overexpression of miR‑200b in U251 and U87 cells. Furthermore, restoration of ZEB2 effectively reversed the reduced expression of ZEB2, as well as the suppressive effects of miR‑200b overexpression on the proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT in glioma U251 and U87 cells. Moreover, in vivo study showed that overexpression of miR‑200b significantly inhibited tumorigenesis as well as the tumor growth of glioma cells, and effectively protected nude mice from tumor-induced death. Taken together these findings suggest that miR‑200b has suppressive effects on the proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT of glioma cells, partly at least, via targeting ZEB2. Therefore, miR‑200b acts as a novel tumor suppressor in glioma, and thus may become a promising therapeutic candidate for glioma. 

Retracted: Yes

PubPeer comments:
 Fig 3B.  ...Transwell assay were performed to determine cell ... invasion in glioma U251 and U87 cell transfected with miR-200b mimic or scramble miR mimic . ![file] Compare with Fig 7, LOVO half, of [Tian et al (2015)] . Other manifestations are linked in that thread. ![file] Other matching panels are left as an exercise for the reader. , 
 Figs 3B, 6B.  ...Transwell assay were performed to determine cell ... invasion in glioma U251 and U87 cell transfected with miR-200b mimic or scramble miR mimic ;  ...Transwell assay were performed to determine cell ... invasion in glioma U251 and U87 cell transfected with miR-200b mimic, or co-transfected with miR-200b mimic and ZEB2 plasmid . ![] Colored rectangles mark overlaps with [Chen et al (2013)] . Figs 6(c),(d).  Transwell assay; upregulated RKIP expression significantly inhibited the invasion ability of U251 and U87 cell lines . Fig 7(c),(d). ![file] Could the authors check which specific treatments are illustrated here? , 
 Retracted [13 July 2021] . --------------------- Following the publication of this paper, it was drawn to the Editors attention by a concerned reader that certain of the scratch-wound assay data shown in Fig. 3A and Transwell cell migration data shown in Figs. 3B and 6B were strikingly similar to data appearing in different form in other articles by different authors. Owing to the fact that the contentious data in the above article had already been published elsewhere, or were already under consideration for publication, prior to its submission to *International Journal of Oncology*, the Editor has decided that this paper should be retracted from the Journal. The authors were asked for an explanation to account for these concerns, but the Editorial Office did not receive any reply. The Editor apologizes to the readership for any inconvenience caused. ,