Protective functions of salvianolic acid B in PC-12 cells against hydrogen peroxide-triggered damage by mediation of microRNA-26a
Authors: Mingfu Fan
Niansheng Liu
Journal: Artificial Cells Nanomedicine and Biotechnology (2019)
Discipline: BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
Keywords: HO; MEK/ERK; PC-12 cells; PI3K/AKT; microRNA-26a
Affiliations: Department of Traumatology, North Medical District of Linyi People‚Äôs Hospital, Linyi, PR China;, Department of Spinal Surgery, North Medical District of Linyi People‚Äôs Hospital, Linyi, PR China

Abstract:  Spinal cord injury (SCI) can lead to varying degrees of sensory and motor dysfunction. Salvianolic acid B (Sal-B) is the dominating bioactive constituent of Danshen, which has been reported to alleviate liver fibrosis and exert neuroprotective effects. But, the influence of Sal-B in SCI remains mysterious. The research planned to delve the protective function of Sal-B in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-caused PC-12 cell injury. H2O2-caused PC-12 cells injury model was built, CCK-8, Transwell and flow cytometry experiments were enforced to assess cell proliferation, migration and apoptosis. The microRNA (miR)-26a plasmid and the matching control were transfected into PC-12 cells, subsequently, the influence of miR-26a inhibition in H2O2-corrupted PC-12 cells was evaluated. The cell growth-correlated factors and PI3K/AKT and MEK/ERK pathways were assayed through western blot assay. Results corroborated that Sal-B eased H2O2-evoked injury in PC-12 cells. Ascended miR-26a was monitored in Sal-B and H2O2-exposed cells. MiR-26a inhibition annulled the protective action of Sal-B in H2O2-corrupted cells. The protective function of Sal-B was enabled through activating PI3K/AKT and MEK/ERK pathways. These findings delineated that Sal-B protected PC-12 cells against H2O2-caused injury through ascending miR-26a via initiating PI3K/AKT and MEK/ERK pathways. Highlights H2O2 causes PC-12 cell injury; Sal-B eases H2O2-caused PC-12 cell injury; Sal-B protects PC-12 cells against H2O2-caused injury via elevating miR-26a; Sal-B activates AKT and MEK/ERK pathways via modulating miR-26a. 

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: Niansheng Liu Mingfu Fan (2019) Protective functions of salvianolic acid B in PC-12 cells against hydrogen peroxide-triggered damage by mediation of microRNA-26a. Artificial Cells, Nanomedicine, and Biotechnology, 47(1), 4030u20134037, DOI: 10.1080 21691401.2019.1673766 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. In addition, the authors did not have a record of the full blot, before cutting it into strips. u202fTherefore, as we continue to work through the issues raised, we advise readers to interpret the information presented in the article with due caution. The corresponding author been notified about this Expression of Concern. , 
 http: med.china.com.cn content pid 291148 tid 1013 iswap 1 Liu Niansheng, the People s Hospital of Linyi City, Shandong Province, as the first author, and Fan Mingfu as the corresponding author, published a paper  Protective functions of salvianolic acid BinPC-12 cells against hydrogen peroxide-triggered damage by mediation of microRNA-26a. Academic misconduct of the paper. The relevant responsible personnel shall be dealt with as follows: 1. To the first author Liu Niansheng: talk about the integrity of scientific research, ask him to write a written inspection, notify the whole hospital of criticism, cancel his qualification for participating in the 2020 annual assessment, and the annual assessment shall not be determined as an excellent rank, and cancel his scientific research within 5 years Project, scientific research awards, scientific and technological achievements, scientific and technological talent plans and other application qualifications, cancellation of their qualifications as nominees or recommenders, nominated or recommended persons, review experts, etc. within 5 years, suspension of their graduate tutor application qualifications for 5 years, and cancellation of their untrustworthy use of scientific research Relevant academic awards, professional titles, honorary titles, etc. obtained by the behavior, require them to contact the magazine within 30 days to withdraw the manuscript, and deduct the performance salary according to the hospital management regulations; 2. To the corresponding author Fan Mingfu: talk about scientific research integrity, instruct him to write a written inspection, report criticism from the whole hospital, cancel the qualification for participating in the 2020 annual assessment, and the annual assessment shall not be determined as an excellent ranking, cancel his scientific research projects within 5 years, For scientific research awards, scientific and technological achievements, scientific and technological talent plans, etc., their qualifications as nominees or recommenders, nominated or recommenders, review experts, etc. within 5 years will be cancelled, their graduate tutor application qualifications will be suspended for 5 years, and their use of scientific research dishonest behavior will be revoked For related academic awards, professional titles and honorary titles, they are required to contact the magazine to withdraw the manuscript within 30 days, and deduct performance wages in accordance with hospital management regulations. (Notification link: http: ly120.cn prt main scddetl.lay?infoid=2539 t=1631848952799) ,