Retracted : LncRNA‚ÄêROR alleviates hypoxia‚Äêtriggered damages by downregulating miR‚Ä?45 in rat cardiomyocytes H9c2 cells
Authors: Pengxi Wang
Yanran Yuan
Journal: Journal of Cellular Physiology (2019)
Discipline: MOLECULAR BIOLOGY & GENETICS
Keywords: apoptosis; cardiomyocytes; hypoxia; lncRNA-ROR; miR-145.
Affiliations: 3rd Department of Cardiology Changyi People's Hospital Changyi China, Department of Children's Healthcare and Rehabilitation Jining No.1 People's Hospital Jining China, Affiliated Jining No.1 People's Hospital of Jining Medical University Jining Medical University Jining China

Abstract:  Chronic hypoxic heart disease (CHD) is a common clinical type of congenital heart disease. Long noncoding RNA regulator of reprogramming (lncRNA-ROR) exerts an important regulating effect in cardiovascular diseases. In our study, we explored the effect of lncRNA-ROR and the possible mechanisms against hypoxia-caused apoptosis in H9c2 cells. H9c2 cells were exposed to hypoxia (1% O2 ) to construct the in vitro model of CHD. The level of lncRNA-ROR and microRNA (miRNA/miR)-145 was detected. To upregulate the level of lncRNA-ROR and miR-145, transfection was carried out. Western blot assay was performed to quantified protein expression. The interaction of lncRNA-ROR with miR-145 was verified by RIP and Dual-luciferase reporter assays. The expression of p53 and Bax was largely elevated and Bcl-2 was suppressed by hypoxia induction. We found that lncRNA-ROR was elevated by hypoxia. LncRNA-ROR overexpression was able to relieve the damages of H9c2 cells induced by hypoxia through rescuing viability, suppressing apoptosis, and blocking Cytochrome c release. miR-145 was suppressed by overexpressed lncRNA-ROR and the combination of miR-145 mimic was able to abolish the protective effect of lncRNA-ROR. Moreover, we found that lncRNA-ROR activated Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK and PI3K/AKT transduction cascades by suppressing miR-145. Besides, lncRNA-ROR directly targeted miR-145 and negatively modulated the level of miR-145. Our present study revealed that lncRNA-ROR protected H9c2 cells against hypoxia-caused damages by regulation of miR-145 through activating Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK and PI3K/AKT. 

Retracted: Yes

PubPeer comments:
 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. Also in almost all papers, bar graphs show a characteristic layout with bars in solid shades of grey, and the left-most bar in black, as well as double-edged error bars. Many papers have  cell viability and  apoptotic cells graphs. In some of these papers, including this one, flow cytometry plot show a unnaturally dense and well defined  hairball of events in Q3 with a few regularly spaced events in Q1 and Q2, and a rectangular or crab-shaped block of events in Q4. To illustrate the recognizable layout of the graphs in this paper, here is Figure 1.  , 
  The mildest patients can be asymptomatic for life, but severe patients are born with severe symptoms, such as hypoxia, shock, or even death. Please compare with [Lv et al (2020)] :  the lightest patients might be asymptomatic for all life, while the heaviest patients might sufer from severe symptoms, such as hypoxia, shock or even death at birth [6, 7]. Just coincidence? Or indicative of a shared actual authorship? , 
 Fig 1,  (b) Apoptotic cells were detected through flow cytometry analysis . The similarity between the hairballs in the 3rd quadrants of this plot rule out the possibility that they arose from independent experiments.  The similarity between Q3 hairballs (and also between Q4 cigars) grows even more evident in Fig 3(c), and again in Fig 5(c).  , 
 2021 retraction. https: onlinelibrary.wiley.com doi 10.1002 jcp.30431 Retraction: u201cLncRNA-ROR alleviates hypoxia-triggered damages by downregulating miR-145 in rat cardiomyocytes H9c2 cells,u201d by Pengxi Wang, Yanran Yuan, J Cell Physiol. 2019; 23695-23704: The above article, published online on 12 June 2019 in Wiley Online Library , has been retracted by agreement between the journal s Editor in Chief, Prof. Dr. Gregg Fields, and Wiley Periodicals LLC. The retraction has been agreed following an investigation based on allegations raised by a third party. Several flaws and inconsistencies between results presented and experimental methods described were found, the editors consider the conclusions of this article to be invalid. The authors collaborated in the investigation initially, but were not available for a final confirmation of the retraction. , 
 [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. 23. The paper  LncRNAu2010ROR alleviates hypoxiau2010triggered damages by downregulating miRu2010145 in rat cardiomyocytes H9c2 cells published by Yuan as the corresponding author and Wang Pengxiran of Changyi People s Hospital as the first author, was found to be falsified data. , Academic misconduct by fabricating the research process. Our hospital will deal with the relevant responsible persons as follows: Yuan Yanran (corresponding author, merged with another paper): cancel the application qualifications for scientific research projects, scientific research awards, scientific and technological achievements, scientific and technological talent plans within 6 years; cancel 6 years as a nomination or Qualifications such as recommenders, nominated or recommenders, review experts, etc.; cancel their membership or membership in academic institutions such as societies, associations, etc.; postpone promotion to higher-level professional and technical positions for 2 years; instruct to contact the magazine as soon as possible to withdraw the manuscript ; Administrative warning. Changyi City People s Hospital made the following treatment to Wang Pengxi (the first author): the scientific research integrity admonished the conversation, and the whole hospital circulated the criticism; not to be promoted to a higher professional and technical position within two years. ,