miR-217 inhibits proliferation, migration, and invasion via targeting AKT3 in thyroid cancer
Authors: Yuanqiang Lin
Minglong Chen
Tongtong Wang
Qianqian Chen
Qian Xie
Kailiang Cheng
Qiang Wen
Journal: Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy (2017)
Discipline: PHARMACOLOGY & TOXICOLOGY
Keywords: AKT3; Invasion; Proliferation; Thyroid cancer; miR-217.
Affiliations: Department of Ultrasonography, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, 126 Xiantai Street, ErDao District, Changchun 13033, China., Department of Radiology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, 126 Xiantai Street, ErDao District, Changchun 13033, China., Department of Nuclear Medicine, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, 126 Xiantai Street, ErDao District, Changchun 13033, China., Department of Radiation Oncology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, 126 Xiantai Street, ErDao District, Changchun 13033, China. Electronic address: ., Department of Nuclear Medicine, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, 126 Xiantai Street, ErDao District, Changchun 13033, China. Electronic address: .

Abstract:  Purpose: The aims of this study were to test the influence of miR-217 on the proliferation, invasion, migration of thyroid cancer and the relevant mechanism. Method: miR-217 expression levels in thyroid cancer tissues and cell lines were detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR).Cell Counting Kit-8, flow cytometer, wound healing, transwell invasion assays were applied to evaluate the effect of miR-217 on proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion of thyroid cells. The luciferase reporter assay, qRT-PCR, and western blot were used to identify target of miR-217. Relative relationship of expression level between miR-217 and AKT3 was analyzed in thyroid cancer tissues. Xenograft transplantation was performed to test effect of miR-217 in vivo. Results: We found that the expression of miR-217 was significantly decreased in thyroid cancer tissues cell lines. Significantly, decreased miR-217 expression were associated with the clinical stage and lymph node metastasis. Function studies revealed that miR-217 overexpression in thyroid cancer cells inhibited proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro, as well as suppressed tumor growth in vivo. Subsequently, AKT3 was identified as a target of miR-217 in thyroid cancer. AKT3 expression was upregulated in thyroid cancer tissues, was inversely correlated with miR-217expression. Besides, overexpression of AKT3 efficiently abrogates suppressive effect on proliferation, migration and invasion in thyroid cancer cells caused by overexpression of miR-217. Conclusion: These data demonstrated a tumor suppressor role for miR-217 in thyroid cancer development and progression by targeting AKT3, suggesting miR-217 might be a potential target for thyroid cancer. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
 *[right]* Fig 6C.  representative image of [**TPC-1**] tumor were shown . *[left]* Fig 2E from [Lin et al (2017)] .  Representative images of xenograft tumors derived from **SKOV3** cells stable expressing miR-363 and miR-NC . ![file] No authors in common, though both research groups are affiliated to Jilin University. , 
 *[right]* Fig 5A.  Western blot and analysis of AKT3 protein expression in TPC-1 and SW1736 cells expressing miR-217 or miR-217 plus AKT3 overexpression plasmid . *[left]* Fig 5B from [Xu et al (2018)] .  Western blot analysis of CYR61 protein levels in U2OS and MG63 cells transfected with an miR-365 mimic with or without a pCDNA3.1-CYR61. ![file] Unexpected similarities. , 
 *[right]* Fig 2D.  Cell apoptosis were determined in TPC-1 and SW1736 cells transfected with miR-NC or miR-217 mimic . *[left]* Fig 2D from [Guo et al (2018)] .  ...apoptosis were determined in RA-FLS post-transfection . ![file] Different studies, no authors in common, shared panels. --------------------- UPDATE: [Guo et al (2018)] was retracted, [14 July 2021] . The ball is now in the Biomedicine Pharmacotherapy court. The source was evidently Fig 4 from  PFK15, a Small Molecule Inhibitor of PFKFB3, Induces Cell Cycle Arrest, Apoptosis and InhibitsInvasion in Gastric Cancer ([Zhu et al 2016] ). ![file] , 
 #2 Hello, is that the Department of Unexpected Similarities? I have a concern. - *[left]* Fig 5B from [Xu et al (2018)] , and **Fig 5A**. - *[right]* Fig 3 from [Zhu et al (2016)] . ![file] , 
 Zhu et al (2016) was also plundered (Fig 6a, *[above]*) to provide panels for the present Fig 3B *[below]*. ![file] ,