Retracted : Interleukin‐6 promotes the migration and cellular senescence and inhibits apoptosis of human intrahepatic biliary epithelial cells
Authors: Jie Liu
Ran Li
Yong Huang
Jing-Yu Yang
Xiu-Qin Bu
Juan Dong
Xuan Dong
Journal: Journal of Cellular Biochemistry (2018)
Discipline: MOLECULAR BIOLOGY & GENETICS
Keywords: apoptosis; cellular senescence; epithelial-mesenchymal transition; human intrahepatic biliary epithelial cells; interleukin-6
Affiliations: Department of Gastroenterology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jining, China., Department of Gastroenterology, Shandong Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Jining, China., Department of Gastroenterology, Jining Rencheng District People's Hospital, Jining, China., Department of Gastroenterology, Jining No. 1 People's Hospital, Jining, China.

Abstract:  Biliary epithelial cells (BEC) are closely related to some immune regulatory bile duct diseases. However, the complexity and polymorphism of the morphology and function of bile duct cells have hindered further investigation. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate how interleukin-6 (IL-6) affects the migration, cellular senescence, and apoptosis of human intrahepatic biliary epithelial cells (HIBECs). The HIBECs were stimulated by different concentrations of IL-6 (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 ng/mL, respectively). Transwell assay was performed in order to measure the migration abilities, positive β-Galactosidase staining for the cellular senescence of HIBECs, MTT assay for changes of proliferation after IL-6 treatment and flow cytometry for cell cycle and apoptosis. The reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blotting were conducted in order to detect the mRNA and protein expressions of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers in HIBECs. In comparison to the 0 ng/mL group, in the 5, 10, 15, and 20 ng/mL groups, a significant increase in the number of migratory HIBECs, proliferation, along with mRNA and protein expressions of EMT markers was observed. While the mRNA and protein expressions of epithelial markers, the number of β-galactosidase positive staining cells, as well as apoptosis rate of HIBECs dramatic decreased. Further, the aforementioned changes were significantly more evident in the 15 and 20 ng/mL groups in comparison to the 5 and 10 ng/mL groups. IL-6 may stimulate EMT, enhance the migration and proliferation, and inhibit apoptosis of HIBECs, thus delaying cellular senescence. 

Retracted: Yes

PubPeer comments:
  Fig. 5. Electrophoretograms of EMT markers in HIBECs stimulated by different concentrations of IL-6 detected by Western blotting . ![file] The loading control appears to be the same as in *[left]* and *[middle]* Figs 5B and 4B from [Wen et al (2018)] , and *[right]* 6E from [Zhang et al (2018)] . ![] Not to forget the control bands of Fig 6A C of [Wang et al (2018)] . ![] Fig 5C from [Xiao et al (2018)] : ![file] , 
 Retracted [30 June 2021] . ------------------------------- The above article, published online on 31 August 2017 in Wiley Online Library has been retracted by agreement between the 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. ,