LncRNA UCA1 affects epithelial-mesenchymal transition, invasion, migration and apoptosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells
Authors: Shunjin Chen
Gang Li
Ri Han
Jianqi Wang
Yunteng Zhao
Journal: Cell Cycle (2019)
Discipline: MOLECULAR BIOLOGY & GENETICS
Keywords: Colony formation; Nasopharyngeal carcinoma; UCA1.
Affiliations: Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University , Guangzhou , PR. China., Department of Otolaryngology, Dongguan People's Hospital , Dongguan , PR. China., Department of Otolaryngology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University , Guangzhou , PR. China.

Abstract:  Objective: In this study, long non-coding RNA urothelial carcinoma associated 1 (lncRNA UCA1) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and its effect on the malignant phenotype of NPC cells was investigated. Methods: Initially, the expression of UCA1 in NPC tissues and cells was detected. NPC cell line that with highest expression of UCA1 was selected for subsequent cell function test. A series of experiments were used to detect proliferation, colony formation, cell cycle distribution, apoptosis, invasion and migration of NPC cells with the interference of UCA1 expression. Western blot analysis was carried out to detect the expression of E-cadherin and vimentin for verifying the effect of UCA1 on epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT). Results: The expression of UCA1 was found to be upregulated in NPC tissues and cells. The expression of UCA1 in stage Ⅲ + IV of NPC tissues and in patients with lymph node metastasis was significantly higher than that in patients at stage Ⅰ + Ⅱ and in patients without lymph node metastasis. Inhibition of UCA1 repressed proliferation, EMT, colony formation, invasion and migration while stimulating apoptosis of NPC cells. Conclusion: Our study suggests that UCA1 expression was overexpressed in NPC. Additionally, UCA1 suppression could inhibit proliferation, EMT, invasion and migration, and promote apoptosis of NPC cells. 

Retracted: Yes

PubPeer comments:
 Fig 3A.  Flow cytometry was used to detect the cell cycle distribution of CNE2 in each group . ![file] Arrow marks an overhang. Were these plots hand-drawn? The different profiles of the blue  mesas (predicted contributions from cells in S-phase) are also concerning. , 
 Retracted [17 March 2022] . ------------------------------ We, the Editors and Publisher of the journal *Cell Cycle*, have retracted the following article: Ri Han, Shunjin Chen, Jianqi Wang, Yunteng Zhao, and Gang Li. LncRNA UCA1 affects epithelial-mesenchymal transition, invasion, migration and apoptosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells. Cell Cycle. 2019;18(21):3044-3053. doi: 10.1080 15384101.2019.1667707. Since publication, significant concerns have been raised about the integrity of the data and reported results in the article. When approached for an explanation, the authors did not provide their original data or any necessary supporting information. As verifying the validity of published work is core to the integrity of the scholarly record, we are therefore retracting the article. The corresponding author listed in this publication has been informed. We have been informed in our decision-making by our policy on publishing ethics and integrity and the COPE guidelines on retractions. The retracted article will remain online to maintain the scholarly record, but it will be digitally watermarked on each page as u2018Retractedu2019. ,