Lycium barbarum polysaccharide alleviates IL-1Œ≤-evoked chondrogenic ATDC5 cell inflammatory injury through mediation of microRNA-124
Authors: Haibo Li
Huawei Ni
Chengzhang Sun
Yu Xu
Xiaomin Gu
Guoxiu Wang
Journal: Artificial Cells Nanomedicine and Biotechnology (2019)
Discipline: BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
Keywords: Lycium barbarum polysaccharide; inflammatory injury; microRNA-124; osteoarthritis.
Affiliations: Department of Orthopedics, The Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University , Hangzhou , China., Department of Orthopedics, Shenzhen University General Hospital , Shenzhen , China., Department of Orthopedics, Shaoxing People's Hospital (Shaoxing Hospital of Zhejiang University) , Shaoxing , China.

Abstract:  Background: Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) is a promising therapeutic drug in inflammation-related injuries, nevertheless the mechanism of LBP's action is still elusive. The study is to explore the effect of LBP on IL-1Œ≤-evoked ATDC5 cell inflammatory injury. Methods: ATDC5 cells were administrated with 10 ng/mL interleukin (IL)-1Œ≤ to establish an in vitro model of cartilage damage. After management, cell viability was tested through CCK8 assay. The pro-inflammatory cytokines and cyclooxygenase (Cox)-2 were assessed through ELISA, western blot and qRT-PCR. MiR-124 expression in ATDC5 cells was silenced by transfecting with miR-124 inhibitor, and the pro-inflammatory cytokines and Cox-2 were re-assessed. NF-Œ∫B and JNK pathways were measured through western blot. Results: IL-1Œ≤ stimulation accelerated the release of IL-1Œ≤, IL-6 and TNF-Œ±, elevated Cox-2 expression. LBP significantly eased IL-1Œ≤-induced inflammation. MiR-124 expression was observed to enhance by LBP, and the impacts of LBP on ATDC5 cells were lightened via transfection with miR-124 inhibitor. NF-Œ∫B and JNK pathways were activated after IL-1Œ≤ stimulation, nevertheless were inactivated by LBP administration. Besides, LBP-evoked the repression of NF-Œ∫B and JNK pathways were overturned by miR-124 inhibitor. Conclusions: Our study suggests that LBP protects ATDC5 cells from IL-1Œ≤-evoked injury through up-regulating miR-124 via blocking NF-Œ∫B and JNK pathways. 

Retracted: Yes

PubPeer comments:
 This paper belongs to a set of over 400 papers (as per February 2020) that share very similar Western blots with tadpole-like shaped bands, the same background pattern, and striking similarities in title structures, paper layout, bar graph design, and - in a subset - flow cytometry panels. Despite these similarities, these papers are authored by researchers from different departments and institutes, with almost no overlap in authors. The list of these papers is available here: https: docs.google.com spreadsheets d 1KXqTAyl4j-jVorFPMD2XRpr76LcIKJ0CVyIvRj0exYQ edit?usp=sharing A more detailed description of this set of papers, suspected to all be generated by a common source, a paper mill , can be found here: * https: forbetterscience.com 2020 01 24 the-full-service-paper-mill-and-its-chinese-customers (January 2020) * https: scienceintegritydigest.com 2020 02 21 the-tadpole-paper-mill (February 2020) The same paper mill has been described in these papers: * Jana Christopher - Systematic fabrication of scientific images revealed - FEBS Letters (2018) - https: febs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com doi full 10.1002 1873-3468.13201 * Jennifer A Byrne and Jana Christopher - Digital magic, or the dark arts of the 21st centuryu2014how can journals and peer reviewers detect manuscripts and publications from paper mills? - FEBS Letters (2020) - https: febs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com doi full 10.1002 1873-3468.13747 , 
 Retracted [22 October 2020] . ----------------------------------------------- We, the Editors and Publisher of the journal Artificial Cells, Nanomedicine, and Biotechnology, have retracted the following article: Huawei Ni, Guoxiu Wang, Yu Xu, Xiaomin Gu, Chengzhang Sun Haibo Li (2019) Lycium barbarum polysaccharide alleviates IL-1u03b2-evoked chondrogenic ATDC5 cell inflammatory injury through mediation of microRNA-124. Artificial Cells, Nanomedicine, and Biotechnology, 47(1), 4046u20134052, DOI:10.1080 21691401.2019.1673765 Since publication, concerns have been raised about the integrity of the data in the article. When approached for an explanation, the authors checked their data and confirmed there are fundamental errors present. Therefore, they have agreed to the retraction of this article. The authors apologise for this oversight. 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. , 
 Shaoxing Peopleu2019s Hospital reported the results of an investigation, on [15 September 2021](http: www.312000.net home topic_detail 27225?typeid=10). H t Google Translate for translation. The report does not specify which paper was investigated, but [a cover letter from the National Health Committee of the PRC](http: www.nhc.gov.cn cms-search xxgk getManuscriptXxgk.htm?id=bdeb7e0443ff4a95bc46a8621606ab97) relates it to the present paper, rather than [another by the same authors] . ------------------------------------------------------- In order to strengthen the integrity of scientific research, severely punish violations, and create a sound environment for scientific and technological innovation, we hereby report the relevant paper issues recently investigated and dealt with by this unit as follows: Li Haibo from Shaoxing Peopleu2019s Hospital is the corresponding author, and Ni Huawei, a former employee of the Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, is the first author. According to the investigation, the paper was authored by a third party to write and vote on behalf of, and Shaoxing Peopleu2019s Hospital made the following actions to the relevant responsible person Li Haibo: (1) scientific research integrity and admonition talk; (2) notification of criticism; (3) administrative warning; 4) Warning and sanctions within the party; (5) The medical ethics assessment of the year is unqualified, and the qualification for the first evaluation of the year is cancelled; (6) Various related scientific research projects at the hospital level and above are terminated, and the allocated funding and balance funds are recovered according to the original channel (7) Cancel the application or application for science and technology plan projects (special projects, funds, etc.), science and technology awards, scientific and technological talent title qualifications within 8 years; (8) Postpone professional and technical post promotion application qualifications for 3 years; (9) Cancellation as nomination or application within 5 years Qualifications for recommenders, nominated or recommenders, review experts, etc.; (10) Cancel the qualification for graduate tutor application. The Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University made the following actions for the relevant responsible personnel Ni Huawei: (1) Administrative warning; (2) Internal party warning; (3) Honest admonition conversations and internal notification and criticism; (4) Evaluation of the medical ethics assessment results of the year (5) Cancel all kinds of evaluation qualifications that year; (6) Delay for 3 years to be promoted to the first-level professional title; (7) Restrict application for various science and technology plan projects (special projects, funds) for 3 years; (8) ) Disqualifications as nominees or recommenders, nominees or recommenders, review experts, etc. within 5 years. Ni Huawei has resigned and is not working in the Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University. ,