miR-573 regulates cell proliferation and apoptosis by targeting Bax in nucleus pulposus cells
Authors: Rui Wang
Boping Wen
Dong Sun
Journal: Cellular & molecular biology letters (2019)
Discipline: MOLECULAR BIOLOGY & GENETICS
Keywords: Bax; Intervertebral disc degeneration; Nucleus pulposus cells; miR-573.
Affiliations: 1Department of Massage and Physiotherapy, Guang Xing Hospital, Zhejiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 453, Tiyuchang Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310007 People's Republic of China., Department of Rehabilitation, Western Theater General Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan 610011 People's Republic of China.

Abstract:  Background: MicroRNA (miRNA) plays a vital role in the pathogenesis of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). The expression and potential mechanism of miR-573 in human nucleus pulposus (NP) remains to be elucidated. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of miR-573 in IDD. Methods: Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis was applied to examine the expression of miR-573 and Bax in idiopathic scoliosis tissues and IDD tissues. Human NP cells were employed for analysis. Moreover, the proliferation and apoptosis of NP cells were detected using MTT and flow cytometry assay respectively. The expression levels of Bcl-2, cleaved caspase-3, cleaved caspase-9, caspase-3 and caspase-9 in degenerative NP cells were measured by Western blotting assay. Furthermore, a luciferase reporter assay was used to verify the relationship between miR-573 and Bax. Results: The results revealed that the mRNA expression level of miR-573 was down-regulated whereas Bax was up-regulated notably in degenerative NP cells. In addition, overexpression of miR-573 increased cell viability remarkably, coupled with inhibition of cell apoptosis. The expression level of Bcl-2 was increased while cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-9 expression levels were decreased in miR-573 overexpression NP cells. Additionally, the bioinformatics analysis underscored that Bax was a direct target gene of miR-573. Conclusion: These results suggest that overexpression of miR-573 inhibited NP cell apoptosis by down-regulating Bax, which proved to be a novel effective strategy for IDD therapies. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
 Eq. (23) cannot be written as eq.(38) since the term $ln w_j$ is included as a summand. Eq.(39) is not valid since $c$ is not a constant term but a term varying with $i$. The results based on eq.(38) and eq.(39) are not valid. Besides, the claim that $D_{n-1}$ is of full rank is not proved. ![file] ![file] ![file] , 
 Thank you for your comments.  Eq. (23) cannot be written as eq.(38) , you are right. This problem has been discussed by Zhang and Guo (Please refer: Zhang Z, Guo C. Notesonu201cLogarithmic least squares method to priority for group decision making within complete fuzzy preference relationsu201d, Applied Mathematcial Modelling, 2016, 40:1788-1792.). Du200bnu22121u200bu200b is of full rank is not proved. Sorry we did not consider this problem As Dn is singular, Dn-1 may be of full rank. Could you provide one example to show that Dn-1 is not of full rank? Overall, thank you for your comments. , 
 #2 Suppose that there is only one decision maker, that is, $m=1$. Let $$C=left(begin{array}{ccc} 0.5 0.5 x 0.5 0.5 1  x 0 0.5 end{array} right)$$ According to eq.(7), $$Delta =left(begin{array}{ccc} 1 1 0 1 1 1  0 1 1 end{array} right)$$ According to eq.(17), $$Sigma =left(begin{array}{ccc} 1 1 1 1 1 0  1 0 1 end{array} right)$$ According to eq.(28), $$D_{n-1} =left(begin{array}{cc} 1 -1 -1 1 end{array} right)$$ It is clear that $D_{n-1}$ is singular. Such an example can be constructed for any order $n$. **Your method is incorrect.** ![file] ![file] ![file] ![file] , 
 This is a too special case. There is no general meaning. , 
 Actually, there is no weight vector for your case. There is no need to discuss the nonsense problem. , 
 #5 This is a simple and clear example to disprove your claim that $D_{n-1}$ is nonsingular. It makes sense because it induces a clear order relation with known information. Besides, it is obvious that such type of examples can be constructed for any order of $n$ as pointed out in #3. If you donu2019t like the example in #3, you may try the following example for $n=4$. Suppose that there is only one decision maker, that is, $m=1$. Let $$C=left(begin{array}{cccc} 0.5 0.5 x 0.5 0.5 0.5 x 0.5  x x 0.5 1 0.5 0.5 0 0.5 end{array} right)$$ According to eq.(7), $$Delta =left(begin{array}{cccc} 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 1  0 0 1 1  1 1 1 1 end{array} right)$$ According to eq.(17), $$Sigma =left(begin{array}{cccc} 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1  1 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 end{array} right)$$ According to eq.(28), $$D_{n-1} =left(begin{array}{cc} 2 -1 0 -1 2 0 0 0 0 end{array} right)$$ Then, $D_{n-1}$ is singular. , 
 Generally, we do not consider the case where r_ij=0 or 1. Your example can not construct the model (14), thus, there is no solution for LLSM, and thus, D_n-1 is singular, and it is right. , 
 #7 Please refer to eq.(17) where $sigma_{ij}$ s are defined by the authors. ![file] ,