Caprin1 targeted by circular circ_0000885 in the tumor progression of osteosarcoma
Authors: B Dong
X-Y Liu
Q Feng
M Li
Journal: European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences (2020)
Discipline: PHARMACOLOGY & TOXICOLOGY
Keywords: circRNAs; circ_0000885; osteosarcoma; development; progression
Affiliations: Department of Orthopedics, Cangzhou People's Hospital, Cangzhou, China. .

Abstract:  Objective: Recent studies have revealed that circular RNAs (circRNAs) participate in the progression and development of many human diseases. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to uncover the role of circ_0000885 in the development of osteosarcoma and to explore the possible underlying mechanism. Patients and methods: Circ_0000885 expression in osteosarcoma tissues and cells was detected by Real Time-quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR). The knockdown of circ_0000885 was conducted in osteosarcoma cells. Subsequently, its function in the progression of osteosarcoma was determined by cell proliferation assay, colony formation assay, and cell cycle assay, respectively. Furthermore, the underlying mechanism was explored by RT-qPCR and Western blot. Results: Circ_0000885 was highly expressed in osteosarcoma tissues than that of adjacent tissues. Cell growth was significantly suppressed, and the distribution of cell cycle was regulated after circ_0000885 knock-down in vitro. Besides, both the mRNA and protein expressions of Caprin1 were significantly downregulated via silence of circ_0000885. Furthermore, Caprin1 was positively correlated with circ_0000885 in osteosarcoma tissues. Conclusions: Circ_0000885 could enhance osteosarcoma cell proliferation and regulate cell cycle by upregulating Caprin1, which might contribute to the therapy for osteosarcoma. 

Retracted: Yes

PubPeer comments:
 This paper is one of a set of 121 papers that all contain images from the same library of about 100 photos and plots. This is unexpected, because each paper has different authors and different affiliations, with little to no overlap, and describes different cancer types and molecules. It would be very hard to explain how authors from different labs would all obtain the same photo. Therefore, the papers might have all be derived from the same source, such as a paper mill that sells ready-to-be-published papers. This  Stock Photo paper set has been described in more detail on my blog post, https: scienceintegritydigest.com 2020 07 05 the-stock-photo-paper-mill and in a Wall Street Journal article by Eva Xiao (currently behind a paywall): https: www.wsj.com articles chinese-research-papers-raise-doubts-fueling-global-questions-about-scientific-integrity-11593939600 The vast majority (113 121) of the papers were published in the same journal, European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences (ERMPS). A link to the full set of papers can be found here: https: docs.google.com spreadsheets d 172RWS18w1lTNJ9Nnj80fuXXTqTm4fGkoK0sdYyvKE3g edit?usp=sharing All papers have been reported to the journal editors on July 2, 2020. , 
 Since this article has been suspected of research misconduct and the corresponding authors did not respond to our request to prove originality of data and figures, u201cCaprin1 targeted by circular circ_0000885 in the tumor progression of osteosarcoma, by X.-Y. Liu, M. Li, B. Dong, Q. Feng, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2020; 24 (9): 4665-4670u2013DOI: 10.26355 eurrev_202005_21152u2013PMID: 32432729u201d has been withdrawn. [The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause] . ,