Geniposide alleviates lipopolysaccharide-caused apoptosis of murine kidney podocytes by activating Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK-mediated cell autophagy
Authors: Kun Liu
Aijing Ma
Xia Li
Journal: Artificial Cells Nanomedicine and Biotechnology (2019)
Discipline: BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
Keywords: Nephrotic syndrome; Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK pathway; cell apoptosis; cell autophagy; geniposide
Affiliations: Department of Nephrology, Jining No.1 People‚Äôs Hospital, Jining, China;, Affiliated Jining No.1 People's Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining Medical University, Jining, China;, Department of Nephrology, The Ninth People‚Äôs Hospital of Chongqing, Chongqing, China

Abstract:  Proteinuria is one of the most important clinical features of nephrotic syndrome (NS). Injury of podocyte has been proved to contribute to the occurrence of proteinuria. This study explored the effects of geniposide (GEN) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-caused murine kidney podocyte MPC5 apoptosis and autophagy. Viability and apoptosis of MPC5 cells were respectively detected with the help of CCK-8 assay and Guava Nexin assay. 3-Methyladenine (3-MA) was used as an autophagy inhibitor, while rapamycin as autophagy activator. Si-Beclin-1 was transfected in MPC5 cells to down-regulate the expression of Beclin-1. We found that LPS stimulation significantly caused MPC5 cell viability reduction, apoptosis and autophagy (P &lt; .05 or P &lt; .01). GEN treatment remarkably alleviated the LPS-caused MPC5 cell viability reduction and apoptosis, but promoted cell autophagy (P &lt; .05). Moreover, 3-MA incubation or si-Beclin-1 transfection notably weakened the effects of GEN on LPS-caused MPC5 cell apoptosis and autophagy (P &lt; .05), while rapamycin had opposite effects (P &lt; .05). Furthermore, GEN activated Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK pathway in LPS-treated MPC5 cells (P &lt; .05). In conclusion, this research verified the protective effects of GEN on podocytes damage. GEN alleviates LPS-caused apoptosis of murine kidney podocytes by activating Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK-mediated cell autophagy. Highlights: LPS causes podocyte MPC5 apoptosis and autophagy. GEN alleviates LPS-caused MPC5 cell apoptosis, but promotes cell autophagy. 3-MA or si-Beclin-1 weakens the effects of GEN on LPS-treated MPC5 cells. Rapamycin strengthens the effects of GEN on LPS-treated MPC5 cells. GEN activates Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK pathway in LPS-treated MPC5 cells. 

Retracted: No

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 , 
 Expression of Concern [6 April 2021] . ------------------------ We, the Publisher and Editor of Artificial Cells, Nanomedicine, and Biotechnology, are issuing an Expression of Concern for the following article: Xia Li, Aijing Ma Kun Liu (2019) Geniposide alleviates lipopolysaccharide-caused apoptosis of murine kidney podocytes by activating Ras Raf MEK ERK-mediated cell autophagy. Artificial Cells, Nanomedicine, and Biotechnology, 47(1), 1524u20131532, DOI: 10.1080 21691401.2019.1601630 After publication of this article, questions about the scientific integrity of the article content were brought to the Publisher and Editoru2019s attention. We reached out to the authors requesting that they supply information that would confirm the articleu2019s integrity. The authors provided several files in response to our queries, but they were unable to provide the original data in a format which satisfies our requirements to confirm the authenticity of some types of data. In particular, they were unable to provide full western blots, where the molecular weight markers are indicated. Therefore, as we continue to work through the issues raised, we advise readers to interpret the information presented in the article with due caution. The authors have been notified about this Expression of Concern. , 
 An investigation by Jining First People s Hospital (the authors institution), released 29 December 2021, calls for retraction. Can the journal editors confirm that they received a request to depublish the paper? https: www.jnrmyy.com keyan kxyj gonggao 2021 1229 6607.html -------------------- 13. The paper  Geniposide alleviates lipopolysaccharide-caused apoptosis of murine kidney podocytes by activating Ras Raf MEK ERK-mediated cell autophagy , after investigation, is an academic misconduct involving tampering with data and fabricating research processes. Our hospital will deal with the relevant responsible persons as follows: Liu Kun (corresponding author): cancel the application qualifications for scientific research projects, scientific research awards, scientific and technological achievements, and scientific and technological talent plans within 5 years; cancel the nomination or recommender, nominee or recommender for 5 years , evaluation experts and other qualifications; cancel the membership or membership of academic institutions such as societies, associations, etc.; postpone promotion to a higher-level professional and technical position for one year; order to contact the magazine as soon as possible to withdraw the manuscript; administrative warning. Li Xia (first author): Cancellation of application qualifications for scientific research projects, scientific research awards, scientific and technological achievements, scientific and technological talent plans, etc. within 5 years; cancellation of 5-year qualifications as nominees or recommenders, nominees or recommenders, review experts, etc.; Membership or membership of academic institutions such as academic institutions, associations, etc.; postponement of promotion to a higher-level professional and technical position for one year; warning from the party. The Chongqing Ninth People s Hospital dealt with Ma Aijing (joint the first author) as follows: ordered a thorough written examination to the hospital; admonished and talked about scientific research integrity; circulated criticisms throughout the hospital. ,