RETRACTED ARTICLE: NPC-16, a novel naphthalimide–polyamine conjugate, induced apoptosis and autophagy in human hepatoma HepG2 cells and Bel-7402 cells
Authors: Jian-hong Wang
Qian Li
Zi-hou Mei
Ya-hong Zhang
Song-qiang Xie
Jin Zhao
Chao-jie Wang
Journal: APOPTOSIS (2011)
Discipline: MOLECULAR BIOLOGY & GENETICS
Keywords: NPC-16; antitumor effects; molecular mechanism; naphthalimide-polyamine conjugate; apoptosis
Affiliations: Institute of Chemical Biology, Henan University, Kaifeng, China.

Abstract:  The antitumor effects and molecular mechanism of NPC-16, a novel naphthalimide-polyamine conjugate, were evaluated in HepG2 cells and Bel-7402 cells. Apoptosis and necrosis were evaluated by Annexin V-FITC detection kit, and autophagy by acridine orange and Lyso-Tracker Red staining. The change of mitochondrial transmembrane potential was measured using rhodamine 123 staining. The protein expression of Beclin 1, LC3 II and mTOR, p70S6 K, 14-3-3, caspase, and Bcl-2 family members was detected by immunofluorescence assays and Western Blot. Here, we elucidated the nature of cellular response of HepG2 cells and Bel-7402 cells to NPC-16 at IC(50). NPC-16 induced caspase-dependent apoptosis via the mitochondrial pathway and death receptor pathway in Bel-7402 cells. Differently, NPC-16 triggered HepG2 cells both apoptosis and autophagy, further autophagy facilitated cellular apoptosis. Furthermore, mTOR signal pathway was involved in NPC-16-mediated autophagy in HepG2 cells. Thus, NPC-16 may be useful as a potential template for investigation the molecular mechanism of naphthalimide-polyamine conjugate against hepatocellular carcinoma. 

Retracted: Yes

PubPeer comments:
 2021 retraction. https: link.springer.com article 10.1007 s10495-021-01658-0 Retraction to: Apoptosis (2011) 16:27u201334 https: doi.org 10.1007 s10495-010-0537-1 The Editors-in-Chief have retracted this article [1]. Concerns were raised regarding a number of images, specifically: Figure 2b (Caspase 3) appears to partly overlap with Fig. 4g (Cytochrome C (mitochondria)). Figure 2b (Caspase 9) appears to partly overlap with Fig. 4g (Cytochome C (cytosol)). Figure 3a (NPC-16 treated HepG2 cells) appear to partly overlap with Fig. 3a (control image of Hela cells) of [2]. Figure 4d (14-3-3) appears to overlap with Fig. 7 (p27Kip1) of [3]. Additionally, there is considerable textual overlap with [2]. The data reported in this article are therefore unreliable. Authors Chao-jie Wang and Song-qiang Xie disagree with this retraction. The Editor was not able to obtain current email addresses for the other authors. References 1. Xie S, Li Q, Zhang Y et al (2011) NPC-16, a novel naphthalimideu2013polyamine conjugate, induced apoptosis and autophagy in human hepatoma HepG2 cells and Bel-7402 cells. Apoptosis 16:27u201334. https: doi.org 10.1007 s10495-010-0537-1 2. Wang J, Chen Z, Xie S, Zhao J, Wang C (2010) Synthesis and bioevaluation of aryl-guanidino polyamine conjugates targeting the polyamine transporter. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 20(22):6421u20136425. https: doi.org 10.1016 j.bmcl.2010.09.069 3. Tian Z, Xie S, Mei Z, Zhao J, Gao W, Wang C (2009) Conjugation of substituted naphthalimides to polyamines as cytotoxic agents targeting the Akt mTOR signal pathway. Org Biomol Chem 7(22):4651. https: doi.org 10.1039 b912685f ,