SHH gene silencing suppresses epithelial-mesenchymal transition, proliferation, invasion, and migration of cervical cancer cells by repressing the hedgehog signaling pathway
Authors: Yan-Nan Chen
Chen-Chen Ren
Xiao-Ming Wang
Feng-Jing Yu
Ling Liu
Xiao-An Zhang
Li Yang
Feng Zhang
Journal: Journal of Cellular Biochemistry (2018)
Discipline: MOLECULAR BIOLOGY & GENETICS
Keywords: Hedgehog signaling pathway; SHH gene silencing; cervical cancer; epithelial-mesenchymal transition; invasion
Affiliations: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, P. R. China., Department of Imaging, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, P. R. China., Department of Oncology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, P. R. China.

Abstract:  The study aimed to investigate the mechanism by which the sonic Hedgehog (SHH) gene silencing acts upon epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), proliferation, invasion, and migration of cervical cancer (CC) cells via the Hedgehog signaling pathway. RT-qPCR and Western blotting were all employed to detect the SHH mRNA and protein expressions. HeLa and CasKi cells were cultured and subsequently divided into the blank, negative control (NC), and SHH-RNAi groups. A cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was utilized for cell proliferation. Cell migration and invasion ability were evaluated through scratching test and Transwell assay. The mRNA and protein expressions of the Hedgehog signaling pathway-related factors were detected using RT-qPCR and Western blotting, respectively. After tumor xenograft in nude mice, tumor growth was subsequently observed. SHH mRNA and protein expressions were greater in the SHH-RNAi group than in the blank and NC groups. Compared with the blank group and NC groups, the SHH-RNAi group displayed inhibited levels of proliferation, migration, invasion abilities, as well as a decreased in the Hh signaling pathway-related factors, as well as a reduction in the mRNA and protein expressions of N-cadherin and Vimentin, however, on the contrary increased expressions of E-cadherin were observed. Following tumor xenograft in nude mice, tumor growth was exhibited vast levels of inhibition, particularly in the SHH-RNAi group in comparison to the blank and the NC groups. During the study it was well established that SHH gene silencing suppresses EMT, proliferation, invasion, and migration of CC cells through the repression of the Hedgehog signaling pathway. 

Retracted: Yes

PubPeer comments:
 Fig 8A,C.  Hela and CasKi cell invasion ability among the NC, the blank and the SHH-RNAi groups after Transwell assay Note: A and C, images of Transwell assay of HeLa and Caski cells, respectively . ![file] Other manifestations of the same images are Fig 11 A,B of [Liao et al (2018)] . ![] Fig 10B of [He et al (2018)] , ![] Fig 5A from [Sun, Xu Hu (2018)] . ![] , 
 Retracted, [23 September 2021] :  The above article, published online on 27 October 2017 in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com), has been retracted by agreement between the authors, the journal Editor in Chief, Gary Stein and Wiley Periodicals, Inc. The retraction has been agreed due to determination by the authors that the data relating to infiltration and metastasis presented in this publication is incomplete and there is need for further study and analysis. ,