Gingival-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Protect Against Sepsis and Its Complications
Authors: Weijun Guan
Xishuai Wang
Hanan Song
Yang Gao
Shiyu Zhao
Journal: Infection and Drug Resistance (2021)
Discipline: IMMUNOLOGY
Keywords: ALI; Warburg effect; mesenchymal stem cells; neutrophilic inflammation; oxidative stress
Affiliations: Department of Animal Genetic Resources, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, People's Republic of China., Institute of Physical Educational and Training, Capital University of Physical Education and Sport, Beijing, 100191, People's Republic of China.

Abstract:  Objective: In the present study, we separated and characterized mouse gingival-derived mesenchymal stem cells (GMSCs) and investigated whether GMSCs can improve lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced sepsis and its complications. Methods: Ninety-six ICR mice were randomly divided into the following groups: the control (Sham), LPS, and LPS + MSC groups. Mice received 5 mg/kg LPS intraperitoneally to induce sepsis. Histopathological micrographs illustrated organ injury. We detected systemic inflammation, blood glucose levels, and serum levels of high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) and lactate. In addition, pulmonary inflammation, lung permeability, and oxidative stress-related indicators in lung tissue were measured. Results: We successfully separated a novel population of MSCs from mouse gingiva. These cells had MSC-associated properties, such as a typical fibroblast-like morphology, multiple differentiation potential, and certain phenotypes. Cell-based therapy using GMSCs significantly improved the survival rate, systemic inflammation, hypoglycemia, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS), and aortic injury during sepsis. GMSCs administration reduced pulmonary inflammation, lung permeability, and oxidative stress injury. GMSCs administration reduced neutrophil infiltration partly because GMSCs inhibited neutrophil chemoattractants tumor necrosis factor (TNF-Œ±), C-X-C motif chemokine ligand (CXCL-1), and Interleukin (IL-8). GMSCs impaired LPS-induced HMGB1 and lactate release during sepsis. Conclusion: GMSCs administration is a novel therapeutic strategy targeting aerobic glycolysis for the treatment of sepsis because GMSCs impair LPS-induced HMGB1 and lactate release. GMSCs alleviate lung injury partly because GMSCs exert immune effects, inhibit neutrophilic inflammation, and reduce oxidative stress injury. 

Retracted: Yes

PubPeer comments:
 Retracted [8 March 2022] . --------------------------------------- The Editor and Publisher of Infection and Drug Resistance wish to retract the published article. Following a request from the authors to replace several images within the article it was found several images from the article appeared to have been duplicated with those from other publications by the same authors. Specifically: - Figure 5A Sham group appears to have been duplicated with Figure 4B LPS from Wang et al. Sci Rep 11, 17772 (2021) . - Figure 6D Sham group appears to have been duplicated with Figure 5E Con group from Wang et al. Sci Rep 11, 17772 (2021) . - Figure 7A Sham group appears to have been duplicated with Figure 6C Ex group from Wang et al. Sci Rep 11, 17772 (2021) . - Figure 3D Sham 24 h appears to have been duplicated with Figures 2a and 2c Con group and Ex group, respectively, from Wang et al. Research Gate (2021) . - Figure 4E LPS group appears to have been duplicated with Figure 7b LPS group from Wang et al. Research Gate (2021) . - Figure 5A Sham group appears to have been duplicated with Figure 4c Ex group from Wang et al. Research Gate (2021) . - Figure 7A Sham group appears to have been duplicated with Figure 6c Ex group from Wang et al. Research Gate (2021) . The authors responded to our queries but were unable to provide a satisfactory explanation for the alleged image duplication or provide the original images from the study. This raised concerns over the reliability of the findings reported and the Editor requested 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. ,