Expression and function of microRNA-27b in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Shujie He
Jingyuan Zhang
Juan Lin
Cuisheng Zhang
Shijie Sun
Journal: Molecular Medicine Reports (2016)
Discipline: CLINICAL MEDICINE
Keywords: microRNAs; tumorigenesis; miR-27b; hepatocellular carcinoma; dysregulation
Affiliations: Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Yantai Mountain Hospital, Yantai, Shandong 264001, P.R. China., Department of Medical Administration, Yuhuangding Hospital, Yantai, Shandong 264001, P.R. China., Department of Internal Medicine, Government Hospital of Yantai, Yantai, Shandong 264001, P.R. China., Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Yuhuangding Hospital, Yantai, Shandong 264001, P.R. China.

Abstract:  It has been reported that microRNAs (miRs) have key roles in tumorigenesis via inhibition of their target genes. Dysregulation of miR‑27b has been detected in numerous types of human cancer, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); however, the detailed role of miR‑27b in HCC has yet to be elucidated. Reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting were performed to examine the mRNA and protein expression levels. Transwell assay and wound healing assay were used to determine cell invasion and migration. Luciferase reporter assay was to confirm the targeting relationship. The present study demonstrated that the expression levels of miR‑27b were significantly increased in HCC cell lines, as compared with in normal human liver cells. In addition, miR‑27b was frequently upregulated in HCC tissues, as compared with in normal adjacent tissues; the expression levels of miR‑27b were increased in 77.1% (27/35) of the HCC tissue samples. Furthermore, elevated miR‑27b expression levels were significantly correlated with tumor differentiation, Tumor Node Metastasis stage and vascular invasion (P&lt;0.05). Knockdown of miR‑27b expression inhibited HCC cell migration and invasion. Furthermore, Sprouty 2 (Spry2) was identified as a novel target of miR‑27b in HCC HepG2 cells, and the protein expression levels of Spry2 were negatively regulated by miR‑27b in HepG2 cells. Overexpression of Spry2 suppressed HCC cell migration and invasion, whereas downregulation of Spry2 reversed the suppressive effects of miR‑27b inhibition on HCC cell migration and invasion. The results of the present study suggested that miR‑27b may promote the migration and invasion of HCC cells, at least partially by suppressing Spry2 expression. Therefore, the miR‑27b/Spry2 axis may be considered a potential therapeutic target for HCC. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
 Figs 2C, 4C, 5C. ![file] I set up a spreadsheet to include the various papers using this versatile suite of Transwell images to represent all possible combinations of cell-lines and treatments. This is the 32nd manifestation. For comparison: Fig 3 C D from [Zhang et al (2016)] .  Transwell assay were performed to examine the migratory and invasive capacities of Saos-2 and U2OS cells transfected with miR-205 mimic or miR-negative control (NC) mimic , and Fig 7C D,  Transwell assay were performed to examine cell migration and invasion of MG63 or U2OS cells transfected with miR-205 mimic, or co-transfected with miR-205 mimic and RUNX2 plasmid . ![] Figs 4D, 6D from [Xia et al (2016)] . ![] ,