Overexpression of microRNA-216a-3p Accelerates the Inflammatory Response in Cardiomyocytes in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus by Targeting IFN-α2
Authors: Yusong Zhang
Xiaomeng Liu
Hongwei Liang
Yanchao Xu
Journal: Frontiers in Endocrinology (2020)
Discipline: CLINICAL MEDICINE
Keywords: Toll-like receptor signaling pathway; cardiomyocytes; interferon-α2; microRNA-216a-3p; proliferation
Affiliations: The 2nd Ward, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, China., Imaging Center, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, China., Department of Health Care, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, China.

Abstract:  Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic, hyperglycemia-associated, metabolic disorder. Heart disease is a major complication of T2DM. The present study aimed to explore the effects of miR-216a-3p on cardiomyocyte proliferation, apoptosis, and inflammation in T2DM through the Toll-like receptor (TLR) pathway involving interferon-α2 (IFN-α2) mediation. Methods: T2DM was induced in rats by a high-fat diet, in combination with an intraperitoneal injection of low-dose streptozotocin. ELISAs were conducted to measure inflammatory-related factors in serum. Next, isolated cardiomyocytes were used in loss- and gain-of-function experiments, followed by MTT and flow cytometry assays, conducted to evaluate cell proliferation, cell cycle, and apoptosis. Results: Our results revealed an increase in the inflammatory response in T2DM rat models, accompanied by significantly increased expression of miR-216a-3p and TLR pathway-related genes. However, a decrease in the expression of IFN-α2 was observed. Moreover, the presence of an miR-216a-3p inhibitor and si-IFN-α2 increased the expression of TLR pathway-related genes and cell apoptosis, whereas cell proliferation was significantly decreased in the cardiomyocytes. Conclusion: We found that in T2DM, miR-216a-3p inhibited the proliferation and enhanced the apoptosis of cardiomyocytes and generated an inflammatory response through activation of the TLR pathway and targeting of IFN-α2. 

Retracted: Yes

PubPeer comments:
 Retracted [30 December 2021] . H t [RetractionWatch] . ----------------------------- The journal and Chief Editors retract the 27 November 2020 article cited above. Following publication, concerns were raised regarding the validity of the data in the article. The authors failed to provide the raw data or a satisfactory explanation during the investigation, which was conducted in accordance with Frontiersu2019 policies. Given the concerns, and the lack of raw data, the editors no longer have confidence in the findings presented in the article. u200bu200b This retraction was approved by the Chief Editors of Frontiers in Endocrinology and the Chief Executive Editor of Frontiers. The authors agreed with this retraction. ------------------------------------------------ The conventionalised Acknowledgement sentence ( We would like to show our sincere appreciation to the reviewers for critical comments on this article ) is a regular feature of [products of the Contractor papermill] . Figs 4D, 6A: ![file] This style of Western Blots, resembling rows of bow ties, also fits the style used most recently by that papermill. Here is a montage that I prepared earlier. Clockwise from upper left: - [Wang et al (2020)] - [Gao et al (2021)] - [Chen et al (2020)] - [He et al (2021)] . ![file] In addition, WBs from [Lv et al (2020)] *[retracted]* ![] Also the WBs from [Gao, Feng Tan (2019)] *[retracted]*. ![] ,