MicroRNA-101-3p inhibits fibroblast-like synoviocyte proliferation and inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis by targeting PTGS2
Authors: Fang Lv
Xinfang Wang
Qiaofeng Wei
Qin Geng
Yajuan Wang
Xiuying Zhang
Tongying Li
Yanhui Cui
Hongju Zhang
Shujun Wang
Journal: Bioscience reports (2020)
Discipline: MOLECULAR BIOLOGY & GENETICS
Keywords: Fibroblast-like synoviocytes; Prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2; Rheumatoid arthritis; Synovial injury; microRNA-101-3p.
Affiliations: Department of Rheumatology, ZiBo Central Hospital, Zibo 255036, Shandong, P.R. China., Department of Rheumatology, People's Hospital of Rizhao, Rizhao 276826, Shandong, P.R. China.

Abstract:  Objective: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most frequently occurring inflammatory arthritis. The present study was performed to characterize the role of microRNA-101-3p (miR-101-3p) and prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2) in inflammation and biological activities of fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) in RA. Methods: Initially, miR-101-3p and PTGS2 expression in RA tissues of RA patients and RA rats was detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis. Rat model of type II collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) was adopted to simulate RA, followed by injection of miR-101-3p mimics or siRNA against PTGS2. Next, the apoptosis in synovial tissue and the levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-1β and IL-6 were identified. Subsequently, FLSs in RA (RA-FLSs) were isolated, after which in vitro experiments were conducted to analyze cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion upon treatment of up-regulated miR-101-3p and silenced PTGS2. Furthermore, the relationship of miR-101-3p and PTGS2 was determined by bioinformatics prediction and luciferase activity assay. Results: We identified poorly expressed miR-101-3p and highly expressed PTGS2 in synovial tissues of RA patients and RA rats, which showed reduced synoviocyte apoptosis and enhanced inflammation. In response to miR-101-3p mimics and si-PTGS2, the RA-FLSs were observed with attenuated cell proliferation, migration and invasion, corresponding to promoted apoptosis. Down-regulation of PTGS2 could rescue the effect of inhibited miR-101-3p in synovial injury and phenotypic changes of FLS in RA rats. Notably, miR-101-3p was found to negatively regulate PTGS2. Conclusion: Taken together, miR-101-3p reduces the joint swelling and arthritis index in RA rats by down-regulating PTGS2, as evidenced by inhibited FLS proliferation and inflammation. 

Retracted: Yes

PubPeer comments:
 Two images in figure 8C appear to overlap. Area of overlap indicated with red boxes. However, the two images are not identical. There are some regions were the images differ (circled). Can the authors explain how this may have occurred? *** ![file] *** Full figure ![file] *** ![file] , 
 In  sh-NC of Figure 8 (C), a part of it overlapped also , 
 https: doi.org 10.1042 BSR-20191136_RET This article is being retracted from Bioscience Reports at the request of the Editor-in-Chief and the Editorial Board following receipt of a notification from a reader, alerting the Editorial Board to manipulation in Figure 8C. The authors have been contacted in regard to the retraction, and have not responded to the Journal. Given the extent of the issues raised, Editorial Board stand by the decision to retract the article. ,