Overexpression of miR-4286 is an unfavorable prognostic marker in individuals with non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Xian An
Yongrui Liu
Jinhua Zhou
Weiyue
Huihui Guo
Zhilian Wu
Huaixue Mi
Jiwen Ge
Journal: Journal of Cellular Biochemistry (2019)
Discipline: MOLECULAR BIOLOGY & GENETICS
Keywords: Runx3; cell apoptosis; cell viability; miR-4286; non-small cell lung cancer.
Affiliations: Health Care Unit, Jining No.1 People's Hospital, Jining, China., Department of Respiratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical College, Jining, China., Department of Respiratory Medicine, Jining No.1 People's Hospital, Jining, China., Department of Cardiac Surgery, Jining No.1 People's Hospital, Jining, China., Department of Respiratory MedicineJining No.1 People's HospitalJining China

Abstract:  Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is still an unresolved source of tumor-related death internationally. Current studies have discovered that microRNAs (miRNAs) are associated with diverse cancers development, including NSCLC. Our paper focused on the functional character of miR-4286 in NSCLC. miR-4286 level in 68 cases of NSCLC tissues, matched neighboring nontumor tissues and different cancer cell lines were inspected by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The connection concerning miR-4286 expression and clinicopathological features of patients with NSCLC were further determined. After knockdown or overexpression of miR-4286, cell viability, cell cycle, and/or apoptotic cells were examined by 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and flow cytometry assay, respectively. Moreover, the cell cycle- and apoptosis-related proteins were estimated by qRT-PCR and Western blot. In comparison with the matched nontumor tissues, miR-4286 was significantly enhanced in lung malignancy tissues and different cell lines. miR-4286 expression was related with the tumor-node-metastasis stage, lymphatic metastasis, and distant metastasis. Cell viability was ominously weakened by suppression of miR-4286 in A549 cells, whereas was statistically upregulated by overexpression of miR-4286 in NCI-H1299 cells. Additionally, we detected that suppression of miR-4286 tempted cell cycle arrest in G1 stage and fortified apoptosis in A549 cells. Runx3 was recognized as one target gene of miR-4286, and the impacts of suppression of miR-4286 on cell viability and apoptosis were through regulation of Runt-related transcription factor 3. Our study suggests that miR-4286 overexpression represents a tumor promoter role in NSCLC cells. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
 In many of the Western immunoblots in this paper, the background looks very similar. Contrast enhancement is needed to notice the problem. In addition there are two cases discontinuities (red arrows). ![file] , 
 This paper belongs to a set of over 400 papers (as per February 2020) that share very similar Western blots with tadpole-like shaped bands, the same background pattern, and striking similarities in title structures, paper layout, bar graph design, and - in a subset - flow cytometry panels. Despite these similarities, these papers are authored by researchers from different departments and institutes, with almost no overlap in authors. The list of these papers is available here: https: docs.google.com spreadsheets d 1KXqTAyl4j-jVorFPMD2XRpr76LcIKJ0CVyIvRj0exYQ edit?usp=sharing A more detailed description of this set of papers, suspected to all be generated by a common source, a paper mill , can be found here: * https: forbetterscience.com 2020 01 24 the-full-service-paper-mill-and-its-chinese-customers (January 2020) * https: scienceintegritydigest.com 2020 02 21 the-tadpole-paper-mill (February 2020) The same paper mill has been described in these papers: * Jana Christopher - Systematic fabrication of scientific images revealed - FEBS Letters (2018) - https: febs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com doi full 10.1002 1873-3468.13201 * Jennifer A Byrne and Jana Christopher - Digital magic, or the dark arts of the 21st centuryu2014how can journals and peer reviewers detect manuscripts and publications from paper mills? - FEBS Letters (2020) - https: febs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com doi full 10.1002 1873-3468.13747 , 
 [Retracted 8 June 2021] .  The above article, published online on 20 May 2019 in Wiley Online Library , has been retracted by agreement between the authors, the journal acting Editor in Chief, Dr. Lucie Kalvodova, and the Wiley Periodicals LLC after the authors stated that in subsequent research they found results which are in contradiction to the conclusions of this article. , 
 Jining First People s Hospital [released a report, 21 January 2022] . H t Google Translate. ---------------------------- In order to strengthen the construction of scientific research integrity, severely punish violations, and create a favorable environment for scientific and technological innovation, the relevant paper issues recently investigated and dealt with by this unit are hereby notified as follows. 2. The paper  Overexpression of miRu20104286 is an unfavorable prognostic marker in individuals with non-small cell lung cancer published by Wu Zhilian as the corresponding author and An Xian as the first author, was investigated and found to be falsified data and fabricated research Process for Academic Misconduct. Our hospital will deal with the relevant responsible persons as follows: Wu Zhilian (corresponding author): cancel the application qualifications for scientific research projects, scientific research awards, scientific and technological achievements, scientific and technological talent plans within 5 years; cancel the 5-year nomination or recommender, nominated or recommender, Review experts and other qualifications; cancel their membership or membership in academic institutions such as societies and associations; postpone promotion to a higher-level professional and technical position for one year; order to contact the magazine as soon as possible to withdraw the manuscript; administrative warning. An Xian (first author): Cancellation of application qualifications for scientific research projects, scientific research awards, scientific and technological achievements, scientific and technological talent plans within 5 years; Acquired committee or membership qualifications of academic institutions such as societies and associations; postponement of employment for one year of higher-level professional and technical positions; instructed to contact the magazine as soon as possible to withdraw the manuscript; warning from the party. Guo Huihui, Mi Huaixue, Zhou Jinhua, Liu Yongrui, and Yue Wei (participating authors): Talks on scientific research integrity admonitions; criticized in the hospital. The Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical College dealt with Ge Jiwen (participating author) as follows: Criticism was circulated in the hospital. ,