Retracted : RNA interference‐mediated silencing of S100B improves nerve function recovery and inhibits hippocampal cell apoptosis in rat models of ischemic stroke
Authors: Jin-Hua Zhang
Jiang-Kun Li
Li-Li Ma
Ji-Yu Lou
Journal: Journal of Cellular Biochemistry (2018)
Discipline: MOLECULAR BIOLOGY & GENETICS
Keywords: RNA interference; S100B; hippocampus cells; ischemic stroke; nerve function.
Affiliations: Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, P.R. China., Department of Neurology, Kaifeng Central Hospital, Kaifeng, P.R. China.

Abstract:  Ischemic stroke is the leading cause of worldwide mortality and long-term disability in adults. This study aims to explore the effects of RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated silencing of the S100B gene on nerve function recovery and morphological changes of hippocampus cells in rat models with ischemic stroke. Sixty Wistar rats were assigned into different group. S100B and Caspase 3 mRNA and protein expressions were evaluated by RT-qPCR and Western blotting. Positive rate of S100B, NeuN, and MAP2 expressions were detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Water content, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in brain tissues were measured. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to detect serum levels of TNF-α and IL-1β. A neurological severity score (NSS) was used to test nerve function. TUNEL assay was used to determine hippocampal cell apoptosis. Downregulation of S100B showed a lower number of S100B immune positive cells, but higher NeuN and MAP2-positive cells, increased SOD level, declined MDA level, prominently faster recovery of neurological function, decreased TRCS, TCTP, TCFP, and IE levels, an obvious increase in the number of survival neurons, a decrease in the number of apoptotic cells, notably decreased TNF-α and IL-1β contents, as well as infarct volume, an obvious decrease in positive hippocampal cell Caspase 3 expression and protein expressions of Caspase 3 and cleaved Caspase 3. This study provides data to suggest that RNAi-mediated silencing of S100B gene could improve the recovery of nerve function while inhibiting apoptosis of hippocampal cells in rats with ischemic stroke. 

Retracted: Yes

PubPeer comments:
 Fig 5A.  HE staining for neurons in hippocampus in rats of each group on 14 days after the experiment finished Note: A, pathological changes of neurons in the rat hippocampus (CA1 region) by HE staining . ![file] The Normal panel also appears as  Sham in Fig 2 of [Wu et al (2018)] , ![] ...and as NC in Fig. 3 from [Han et al (2018)] . ![] , 
 Fig 5A after a 180-deg flip: ![file] Fig 3A from [Han et al (2018)] ![file] , 
 Fig 7A,  TUNEL staining for neuron apoptosis of rat hippocampus at on 14 days after the experiment finished in each group . One panel rotated through 180 deg. ![file] Fig 6A of [Han et al (2018)] is brought to you by the Department of Unexpected Similarities. ![file] , 
 Figs 2C, 10D. ![file] The stylised nature of these Western Blots are suggestive of a papermill provenance for this report. Other examples are tabulated in a spreadsheet. https: docs.google.com spreadsheets d 1r0MyIYpagBc58BRF9c3luWNlCX8VUvUuPyYYXzxWvgY edit?usp=sharing For comparison, Figs 5B and 11B from [Fan et al (2018)] . ![] UPDATE: Figs 2B, 6B, 9B from [Shu et al (2018)] : ![] , 
 Fig 10A. ![file] Recognisable as a detail of Fig 6 from [Zhang et al (2019)] . ![file] , 
 Retracted [30 June 2021] . ----------------- The above article, published online on 31 January 2018 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. , 
 Fig 10a again: ![] One panel makes an appearance in Fig 4A of [Tang et al (2019)] . ![] , 
 *[right]* Fig 3E,  Immunohistochemical analysis for MAP2 in rat hippocampus at day 14 . *[left]* Fig 7A of [Sun et al (2021)] (Blank panel).  The expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 in the hippocampus of ICH rats detected by IHC (n = 6) . ![file] How to explain the overlap? Here, Fig 3E in its entirety. ![file] ,