MiR-942 regulates the function of breast cancer cell by targeting FOXA2
Authors: Jinku Zhang
Wenming Zhao
Jirui Sun
Xue Chen
Zhiqiang Zhang
Qiushuang Ma
Haizhi Qiao
Journal: Bioscience Reports (2019)
Discipline: MOLECULAR BIOLOGY & GENETICS
Keywords: Breast cancer; FOXA2; MicroRNA-942; Prognosis; Progression.
Affiliations: Department of Pathology, Baoding No.1 Central Hospital, Baoding City, Hebei Province, China., Department of Thoracic Surgery, Baoding No.1 Central Hospital, Baoding City, Hebei Province, China.

Abstract:  MicroRNA (MiR)-942 regulates the development of a variety of tumors, however, its function in breast cancer (BCa) has been less reported. Therefore, the present study investigated the regulatory effects of miR-942 on BCa cells. The expression of miR-942 in whole blood samples and BCa cell lines was detected by quantitative real-time (qRT)-PCR. Direct target gene for miR-942 was confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter assay. FOXA2 expression in adjacent tissues was detected by qRT-PCR. The effects of miR-942, or miR-942 with FOXA2, on the cell viability, proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion of BCa cells were determined by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), colony formation assay, flow cytometry, wound scratch and Transwell, respectively. The levels of N-Cadherin, E-Cadherin and Snail were determined by Western blot. Kaplan-Meier was used to explore the relationship among the expressions of miR-942 and FOXA2 and the prognosis of BCa patients. MiR-942 had high expressed in BCa, while its low expression significantly suppressed the cell viability, proliferation, migration and invasion of BCa, but increased cell apoptosis. Down-regulation of N-Cadherin and Snail and up-regulation of E-Cadherin were also induced by low-expression of miR-942. FOXA2, which was proved as the direct target gene for miR-942 and was low-expressed in BCa, partially reversed the effect of overexpressed miR-942 on promoting cell viability, proliferation, migration and invasion, and suppressed cell apoptosis. A lower survival rate was observed in BCa patients with a high expression of miR-942 and a low expression of FOXA2. MiR-942 promoted the progression of BCa by down-regulating the expression of FOXA2. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
  Whole blood samples were obtained from 62 participants (31 BCa patients and 31 healthy subjects) who received treatment or examination from **May 2017 to January 2019** in Baoding No.1 Central Hospital (HBH20170425). Fig 1B.  Kaplanu2013Meier method was used to analyze the relationship between miR-942 and the overall survival rate of 60 BCa patients . When this paper was submitted to the journal on July 31 2019, the authors had evidently followed patient survival for five years, i.e. through to the date range **May 2022 to January 2024**. ![file] Fig 4J.  Kaplanu2013Meier method was used to analyze the relationship between FOXA2 and survival without distant metastasis in BCa patients . Again, 5-year survival times. The step sizes seem large for a sample of 31 patients. Can the authors confirm that this is the same sample as involved in the miR-942 analysis? ![file] , 
 Figure 4J logically cannot represent 31 patients. If we assume that the smaller drop in each curve is 1 patient, and the larger drop is 2 patients, then the upper (red) curve represents 3 deaths and a percentage around 90. This requires around 30 patients. The lower (blue) curve represents 7 deaths and a percentage around 70. This requires around 23 patients. (All numbers approximate as I am eyeballing them off the graphs.) Even more alarmingly, the text you quote says they had 31 cancer and 31 healthy patients, but Fig 1B describes 60 cancer patients. I think Fig. 4J is also probably based on 60 or 62 patients. I am also glossing over the fact that the shorter drops are not half the length of the longer drops, as they should be if they represent 1 and 2 deaths respectively; they are closer to 2 3, which would imply that they mean 2 deaths and the long drops mean 3, at minimum. This cannot be done with 60-62 patients. May we please see the raw numbers on which these curves are based? , 
 April 7, 2021 The Editorial Office has been made aware of potential issues surrounding the scientific validity of this paper, hence has issued an expression of concern to notify readers whilst the Editorial Office investigates. , 
 - *[left]* Fig 1I K. - *[right]* Fig 8e from  LncRNA LINC00261 overexpression suppresses the growth and metastasis of lung cancer via regulating miR-1269a FOXO1 axis ([Guo et al 2020] ). Flipped through 180 degrees for ease of comparison. ![file] , 
 Is it possible for the authors to upload or link to scans of the original blots for these curious WBs? I ask because similarly stylised WB-like images, with all the bands resembling strings of sausages, are common in the output of a [ Direct Target papermill] . ![file] ,