<p>Long Noncoding RNA <em>FGD5-AS1</em> Acts as a Competing Endogenous RNA on microRNA-383 to Enhance the Malignant Characteristics of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma by Increasing SP1 Expression</p>
Authors: Yan Li
Ling Zong
Jia Gao
Ziteng Zhang
Hong Su
Journal: Cancer Management and Research (2020)
Discipline: CLINICAL MEDICINE
Keywords: FGD5 antisense RNA 1; esophageal squamous cell carcinoma; microRNA-383.
Affiliations: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Heze Municipal Hospital, Heze, Shandong 274031, People's Republic of China., Department of Thoracic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Shandong 272000, People's Republic of China.

Abstract:  Purpose: Previous studies have identified the important roles of a long noncoding RNA called FGD5 antisense RNA 1 (FGD5-AS1) in several types of human cancer. Nonetheless, to our knowledge, the expression and functions of FGD5-AS1 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) have not been clarified. In this study, we aimed to determine the expression status of long noncoding RNA FGD5-AS1 in ESCC, determine its participation in ESCC progression, and uncover the underlying mechanisms. Methods: ESCC tissue samples and paired normal adjacent tissues were collected to quantify FGD5-AS1 expression by reverse-transcription quantitative PCR. The effects of FGD5-AS1 on ESCC cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion in vitro as well as tumor growth in vivo were studied using a Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, flow cytometry, Transwell migration and invasion assays, and an in vivo tumor xenograft experiment. Results: FGD5-AS1 was found to be aberrantly upregulated in both ESCC tumors and cell lines compared to the control groups. Increased FGD5-AS1 expression manifested a close association with tumor size, TNM stage, and lymph node metastasis in patients with ESCC. Overall survival of patients with ESCC was shorter in the FGD5-AS1 high-expression group than in the FGD5-AS1 low-expression group. An FGD5-AS1 knockdown markedly attenuated ESCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and promoted apoptosis in vitro as well as slowed tumor growth in vivo. Mechanism investigation revealed that FGD5-AS1 can increase SP1 expression by sponging microRNA-383 (miR-383), thus functioning as a competing endogenous RNA. An miR-383 knockdown and recovery of SP1 expression attenuated the inhibition of the malignant characteristics of ESCC cells by the FGD5-AS1 knockdown. Conclusion: Thus, FGD5-AS1 enhances the aggressive phenotype of ESCC cells in vitro and in vivo via the miR-383-SP1 axis, which may represent a novel target for ESCC therapy. 

Retracted: Yes

PubPeer comments:
 Figs 2C, 5B, 6C. ![file] The purple box marks a panel that also appeared in Figs 2C, 5C, 6C of [Cheng et al (2020)] . ![file] In context: ![file] Other panels also have matches in other papers within this oeuvre, but the task for finding them is left as an exercise for the reader. https: docs.google.com spreadsheets d 1X401JM6CcpTSkbKsPsOl20pRKQ-ns1S_J5pTwtBjqPw edit#gid=0 , 
 *[left]* Fig 7B.  Representative images of [TE-1] tumor xenografts obtained from the sh-FGD5-AS1 group and sh-NC group . *[right]* Fig 7b from [Bi et al (2020)] .  Representative images of the [Panc-1] tumor xenografts from groups si-LINC00657 and si-NC . Could either team of authors comment on the double publication of the image? ![file] , 
 Retracted, [24 September 2021] . ------------------------------------ The Editor and Publisher of Cancer Management and Research wish to retract the published article. Concerns were raised over alleged image duplication in Figures 5B and 7B with similar images from unrelated articles, specifically: - Figure 5B, panel Eca109 si-FGD5-AS1+antagomir-NC appears to have been duplicated with a similar image in Figure 2C from Cheng et al, 2020 . - Figure 7B appears to have been duplicated with similar images from Figure 7b in Bi et al, 2020 . The authors responded to our initial queries but were unable to provide a satisfactory explanation for the alleged duplication and could not provide satisfactory original data for their study. The Editor advised for the article to be retracted. Our decision-making was informed by our policy on publishing ethics and integrity and the COPE guidelines on retraction. The retracted article will remain online to maintain the scholarly record, but it will be digitally watermarked on each page as u201cRetractedu201d. , 
 - *[left]* Fig 7D from  Long Noncoding RNA KCNMB2-AS1 Increases ROCK1 Expression by Sponging microRNA-374a-3p to Facilitate the Progression of Nonu2013Small-Cell Lung Cancer ([Yang et al 2020] ). - *right]* **Fig 6D**. ![file] --------------------------- - *[left]* Fig 5K from  Long noncoding RNA RHPN1-AS1 exerts pro-oncogenic actions in osteosarcoma by functioning as a molecular sponge of miR-506 to positively regulate SNAI2 expression ([Wang Liu 2020] ). - *[right]* **Fig 6D**. ![file] ,