Retracted : MicroRNA‚Ä?9b‚Ä?p prevents Schistosoma japonicum ‚Äêinduced liver fibrosis by targeting COL1A1 and COL3A1
Authors: Guo Ai
Xiang-Xue Fan
Hong-Yue Zhang
Jia-Quan Huang
Hai-Jing Yu
Hong-Yan Kong
Qi-Qin Song
Ran Tao
Yu Huang
Qin Ning
Journal: Journal of Cellular Biochemistry (2018)
Discipline: MOLECULAR BIOLOGY & GENETICS
Keywords: COL1A1; COL3A1; MicroRNA-29b-3p; liver fibrosis.
Affiliations: Department of Infectious Disease, Tongji HospitalTongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanP.R. China, Department of Infectious DiseaseLiaocheng People's HospitalLiaochengP.R. China, Department of Pediatrics, Tongji HospitalTongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanP.R. China

Abstract:  Schistosomiasis is one of the world's major public health problems in terms of morbidity and mortality, causing granulomatous inflammation and cumulative fibrosis. This study explored in vivo and vitro effects of miR-29b-3p in granulomatous liver fibrosis by targeting COL1A1 and COL3A1 in Schistosoma japonicum infection. Thirty male Balb/c mice were assigned to normal control and model (percutaneous infection of cercariae of S. japonicum) groups. NIH-3T3 mouse embryonic fibroblasts were designated into blank, NC, miR-29b-3p mimic, TGF-Œ≤1, TGF-Œ≤1 + NC, and TGF-Œ≤1 + miR-29b-3p mimic groups. HE and Masson staining were employed to observe the pathological changes and collagenous fibrosis. The expression of Œ±-SMA, COL1A1, COL3A1, TIMP-1 was determined by immunohistochemistry. The RT-qPCR, Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining were conducted to determine expression of miR-29b-3p, COL1A1, and COL3A1. CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry were performed to evaluate viability and apoptosis. The relative expression of miR-29b-3p decreased in the model group. The model group showed marked fibrosis in liver tissues. The expression of Œ±-SMA, COL1A1, COL3A1, TIMP-1 was higher in the model group than that in the normal control group. Dual luciferase reporter gene assay revealed that miR-29b-3p directly targeted COL1A1 and COL3A1. Compared with the blank, NC, TGF-Œ≤1 and TGF-Œ≤1 + NC groups, the miR-29b-3p mimic group exhibited up-regulated expression of miR-29b-3p and MMP-9 but down-regulated expression of TIMP-1, HSP47, Œ±-SMA, COL1A1, and COL3A1; while lower cell viability but higher apoptosis rate showed. It indicated that miR-29b-3p prevents S. japonicum-induced liver fibrosis by inhibiting COL1A1 and COL3A1. 

Retracted: Yes

PubPeer comments:
 Figs 6C, 7E.  The protein blobs seem to come from the same restricted gamut shown in this montage:  , 
 Retracted [30 June 2021] . ----------------------------------------- The above article, published online on 01 November 2017 in Wiley Online Library has been retracted by agreement between the journal s Editor in Chief, Prof. Dr. Christian Behl, and Wiley Periodicals LLC. The retraction has been agreed following an investigation based on allegations raised by a third party. A detailed investigation revealed that several image elements of the experimental data were published elsewhere in a different scientific context. Thus, the editors consider the conclusions of this article to be invalid. ,