miR-155 is high-expressed in polycystic ovarian syndrome and promotes cell proliferation and migration through targeting PDCD4 in KGN cells
Authors: Yaxian Zhao
Huanjun Xia
Journal: Artificial Cells Nanomedicine and Biotechnology (2020)
Discipline: BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
Keywords: KGN cells; PDCD4; miR-155; polycystic ovary syndrome.
Affiliations: School of Nursing, Jining Medical University, Jining, P. R. China, Department of Obstetrics, No.1 People’s Hospital of Jining, Jining, P. R. China

Abstract:  Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a typical disease of female endocrine and metabolic abnormalities. miR-155, famous as a multifunctional miRNA, promotes the proliferation, migration and invasion of human cancer cells. Therefore, we aimed to explore its regulation mechanism in PCOS. BrdU incorporation and apoptosis assay were used to test KGN cell survival. Luciferase activity experiment was employed to test targeting link between miR-155 and programmed cell death 4 (PDCD4). Migration and invasion assay were operated to examine the influence of miR-155 and PDCD4 in migration and invasion of KGN cells. In addition, quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assay and western blot analysis were utilized to measure expression of miR-155 and other relative factors. We found that expression of miR-155 was high in PCOS patients' tissues and it promoted proliferation, migration and invasion in KGN cells. Further studies found that PDCD4 was down-regulated by miR-155 and was a target of miR-155. Overexpression of PDCD4 promoted cell apoptosis to mitigate PCOS. Besides, up-regulation of PDCD4 suppressed PI3K/AKT and JNK signal pathways. To sum up, miR-155 promoted proliferation, migration, invasion and the activation of PI3K/AKT and JNK pathways in KGN cells through negatively regulating PDCD4. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
 To plagiarise a comment from another thread:  The Western blots and other figures in this paper have an interesting layout that appears to be shared with many other papers, as discussed in a January 2020 post on Leonid Schneider s blog: https: forbetterscience.com 2020 01 24 the-full-service-paper-mill-and-its-chinese-customers The list of these papers is available here: https: docs.google.com spreadsheets d 1KXqTAyl4j-jVorFPMD2XRpr76LcIKJ0CVyIvRj0exYQ edit?usp=sharing In almost all papers, Western blot panels within the same figure, and across figures and papers, appear to share the same background, while the bands are regularly spaced, all have similar rounded edges without the usual smudges and specks, and with some bands showing a recognizable  jumping sardine shape. ![file] ![file] , 
 Expression of Concern, [10 August 2021] . --------------------------------------- We, the Publisher and Editor of *Artificial Cells, Nanomedicine, and Biotechnology*, are issuing an Expression of Concern for the following article: Huanjun Xia Yaxian Zhao (2020) miR-155 is high-expressed in polycystic ovarian syndrome and promotes cell proliferation and migration through targeting PDCD4 in KGN cells. *Artificial Cells, Nanomedicine, and Biotechnology*, 48:1, 197u2013205, DOI: 10.1080 21691401.2019.1699826 After publication of this article, questions about the scientific integrity of the article content were brought to the Publisher and Editoru2019s attention. We reached out to the authors requesting that they supply information that would confirm the articleu2019s integrity. The authors provided several files in response to our queries, but they were unable to provide the original data in a format which satisfies our requirements to confirm the authenticity of some types of data. In particular, they were unable to provide full western blots, where the molecular weight markers are indicated. In addition, the authors did not have a record of the full blot, before cutting it into strips. Therefore, as we continue to work through the issues raised, we advise readers to interpret the information presented in the article with due caution. The corresponding author has been notified about this Expression of Concern. , 
 [Source: Jining First People s Hospital Release time: 2021-12-17] : In order to strengthen the construction of scientific research integrity, severely punish violations, and create a good environment for scientific and technological innovation, the relevant paper issues recently investigated and dealt with by this unit are hereby notified as follows. 15. The paper  miR-155 is high-expressed in polycystic ovarian syndrome and promotes cell proliferation and migration through targeting PDCD4 in KGN cells published by Zhao Yaxian of our hospital as the corresponding author and Xia Huanjun of Jining Medical College as the first author, was investigated by the Department of There is academic misconduct of tampering with data and fabricating research processes. Zhao Yaxian (corresponding author) is dealt with by our hospital as follows: 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 qualifications for 5 years as a nominee or recommender, nominated or recommender, evaluation expert ; Cancel the membership or membership of academic institutions such as societies and associations that he has obtained; postpone promotion to a higher-level professional and technical position for 1 year; instruct to contact the magazine as soon as possible to withdraw the manuscript; administrative warning. Jining Medical College dealt with Xia Huanjun (the first author) as follows: ordered him to make an in-depth inspection; canceled the three-year professional title promotion qualification from November 10, 2020 to November 9, 2023; canceled the five-year declaration Qualifications such as science and technology plan projects (special projects, funds, etc.), science and technology awards, and scientific and technological talent titles, from November 10, 2020 to November 9, 2025; the hospital will report criticism. ,