Physcion induces mitochondria-driven apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells via downregulating EMMPRIN
Authors: Jing Xie
Hui Gao
Junli Ye
Xuehong Chen
Chunbo Wang
Yantao Han
Journal: European journal of pharmacology (2015)
Discipline: PHARMACOLOGY & TOXICOLOGY
Keywords: AMPK; Apoptosis; EMMPRIN; HIF-1α; Physcion.
Affiliations: Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China. Electronic address: ., Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China.

Abstract:  This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (https://www.elsevier.com/about/our-business/policies/article-withdrawal). This article has been retracted at the request of the Editor-in-Chief and the authors as panels from Figure 3D appear similar to panels from Figure 3C of article published by Zhi Wang, Hong Zhang, Liling Dai, Tongguo Song, Ping Li, Yali Liu and Luning Wang in Cell Biochemistry and Biophysics 73 (2015) 213–219 https://doi.org/10.1007/s12013-015-0660-2. Also, bands from Figure 6B appear similar (after a horizontal flip) to bands from Figure 5B and Figure 1C of the articles published by the corresponding authors et al in Acta Pharmacologica Sinica 37 (2016) 264–275 https://doi.org/10.1038/aps.2015.115 and the American Journal of Cancer Research 6(2) (2016) 425–439 http://www.ajcr.us/files/ajcr0022099.pdf. Quadrants showing flowcytometry patterns appear similar within Figure 6C although purportedly illustrating different experimental conditions. Although this article was published earlier than most of the other articles, the Editor decided to retract this article given the concerns on the reliability of the data. One of the conditions of submission of a paper for publication is that authors declare explicitly that their work is original and has not appeared in a publication elsewhere. Re-use of any data should be appropriately cited. As such this article represents a severe abuse of the scientific publishing system. The scientific community takes a very strong view on this matter and apologies are offered to readers of the journal that this was not detected during the submission process. 

Retracted: Yes

PubPeer comments:
 Fig 6C.  Flow cytometric analysis showed the involvement of AMPK signaling in the apoptosis-inducing effect of physcion. ![file] Unexpectedly similar area marked, in the 1st and 4th plots. ![file] , 
 Fig 3  Physcion induces mitochondrial apoptosis in HCT116 cells. The HCT116 cells were incubated with physcion at the indicated concentrations for 48h. ....D. Mitochondrial membrane potential was determined by flow cytometry analysis . Below, Fig 3C from [Wang et al (2015)] .  Co-treatment of Icariin further increased ATO-induced oxidative stress in HL-60 and NB4 cells ![file] I am hoping that the authors can get together and decide whether the indicated panels represent HCT116 cells exposed to various levels of Physcion, or HL-60 and NB4 cells exposed to combinations of Icariin and arsenic trioxide. , 
 Here is a coincidence! At left here, Fig 6B:  Physcion suppresses HIF-1u03b1 expression via activating AMPK signaling. The HCT116 cells were incubated with physcion at the indicated concentrations (or 5 u03bcM if not marked) for 48h....B. Western blots showed the involvement of AMPK signaling in the modulatory effect of physcion on HIF-1u03b1 and EMMPRIN level. At right, Fig 5B from [Han et al (2016)] :  Involvement of ROS AMPK GSK3u03b2 signaling in the modulatory effect of physcion on SOX2. SW620 cells were incubated with physcion at the indicated concentrations (or 5 u03bcmol L if not marked) for 24 h.... (B) Physcion modulated expression of SOX2 via AMPK GSK3u03b2 signaling. ![file] The beta-actin bands match (after a horizontal flip), and 3 of 5 lanes in the EMMPRIN SOX2 bands, but the conditions are quite different. Could the authors comment? , 
 #3 Added at right, another manifestation. Fig 1C of [Gao et al (2016)] :  Transfection of PTTG overexpressing plasmid and confirmation of overexpressing PTTG in MCF-7 cells. ... C. The expression of PTTG protein was detected with western blots. ![file] , 
 This article has been retracted at the request of the Editor-in-Chief and the authors as panels from Figure 3D appear similar to panels from Figure 3C of article published by Zhi Wang, Hong Zhang, Liling Dai, Tongguo Song, Ping Li, Yali Liu and Luning Wang in Cell Biochemistry and Biophysics 73 (2015) 213u2013219 https: doi.org 10.1007 s12013-015-0660-2. Also, bands from Figure 6B appear similar (after a horizontal flip) to bands from Figure 5B and Figure 1C of the articles published by the corresponding authors et al in Acta Pharmacologica Sinica 37 (2016) 264u2013275 https: doi.org 10.1038 aps.2015.115 and the American Journal of Cancer Research 6(2) (2016) 425u2013439 http: www.ajcr.us files ajcr0022099.pdf. Quadrants showing flowcytometry patterns appear similar within Figure 6C although purportedly illustrating different experimental conditions. Although this article was published earlier than most of the other articles, the Editor decided to retract this article given the concerns on the reliability of the data. One of the conditions of submission of a paper for publication is that authors declare explicitly that their work is original and has not appeared in a publication elsewhere. Re-use of any data should be appropriately cited. As such this article represents a severe abuse of the scientific publishing system. The scientific community takes a very strong view on this matter and apologies are offered to readers of the journal that this was not detected during the submission process. ,