Geniposide Attenuates LPS-Induced Injury via Up-Regulation of miR-145 in H9c2 Cells
Authors: Junjing Yao
Qiang Su
Cunjian Sheng
Journal: Inflammation (2018)
Discipline: IMMUNOLOGY
Keywords: MEK/ERK pathway; cardiomyocytes; geniposide (GEN); inflammation; miR-145.
Affiliations: Department of Emergency, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining, 272000, Shandong, China., Department of Cardiac Surgery, Jining No. 1 People's Hospital, No. 6, Jiankang Road, Jining, 272000, Shandong, China., Department of Cardiac Surgery, Jining No. 1 People's Hospital, No. 6, Jiankang Road, Jining, 272000, Shandong, China. .

Abstract:  Myocarditis is a cardiomyopathy associated with inflammatory response. It has been reported that geniposide (GEN), a traditional Chinese herb extract from Gardenia jasminoides Ellis, possesses an anti-inflammatory effect and a protective effect on cardiomyocytes. The present study aimed to explore the protective role of GEN and the underlying mechanism in LPS-injured H9c2 cells. H9c2 cells were treated with LPS to induce cell injury and then we investigated the effect of GEN. miR-145 expression was inhibited by transfection with miR-145 inhibitor and its expression was measured by RT-PCR. Cell viability and apoptotic cells were measured by CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry analysis. The levels of pro-inflammatory factors (IL-6, TNF-α, and MCP-1) were assessed by western blot and RT-PCR. Western blot was performed to detect the expression of the MEK/ERK pathway-related factors. LPS exposure reduced cell viability, increased apoptotic cells, and promoted the expression of pro-inflammatory factors in H9c2 cells. However, GEN pretreatment significantly reduced LPS-induced cell injury, as increased cell viability, reduced apoptotic cells, and inhibited the expression of pro-inflammatory factors. Moreover, we found that miR-145 expression was down-regulated by LPS exposure but was up-regulated by GEN pretreatment. The protective effect of GEN on LPS-injured H9c2 cells was blocked by miR-145 inhibitor. In addition, GEN inhibited the MEK/ERK pathway through up-regulating miR-145. Our results suggested that GEN exerted a protective role in LPS-injured H9c2 cells. The GEN-associated regulation might be related to its regulation on miR-145 and the MEK/ERK signaling pathway. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
 This paper belongs to a set of over 400 papers (as per February 2020) that share very similar Western blots with tadpole-like shaped bands, the same background pattern, and striking similarities in title structures, paper layout, bar graph design, and - in a subset - flow cytometry panels. Despite these similarities, these papers are authored by researchers from different departments and institutes, with almost no overlap in authors. The list of these papers is available here: https: docs.google.com spreadsheets d 1KXqTAyl4j-jVorFPMD2XRpr76LcIKJ0CVyIvRj0exYQ edit?usp=sharing A more detailed description of this set of papers, suspected to all be generated by a common source, a paper mill , can be found here: * https: forbetterscience.com 2020 01 24 the-full-service-paper-mill-and-its-chinese-customers (January 2020) * https: scienceintegritydigest.com 2020 02 21 the-tadpole-paper-mill (February 2020) The same paper mill has been described in these papers: * Jana Christopher - Systematic fabrication of scientific images revealed - FEBS Letters (2018) - https: febs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com doi full 10.1002 1873-3468.13201 * Jennifer A Byrne and Jana Christopher - Digital magic, or the dark arts of the 21st centuryu2014how can journals and peer reviewers detect manuscripts and publications from paper mills? - FEBS Letters (2020) - https: febs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com doi full 10.1002 1873-3468.13747 , 
 Jining First People s Hospital [released a report, 21 January 2022] . H t Google Translate. Springer continue to charge 34,95u20ac for access. ---------------------------- In order to strengthen the construction of scientific research integrity, severely punish violations, and create a favorable environment for scientific and technological innovation, the relevant paper issues recently investigated and dealt with by this unit are hereby notified as follows. 5. The paper  Geniposide Attenuates LPS-Induced Injury via Up-Regulation of miR-145 in H9c2 Cells published by Sheng Cunjian of our hospital as the corresponding author, Su Qiang of the Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical College as the first author, and Yao Junjing as the co-first author  , after investigation, it is an academic misconduct of tampering with data and fabricating the research process. The relevant responsible persons are dealt with as follows: Sheng Cunjian (corresponding author and another paper combined): cancel the application qualifications for scientific research projects, scientific research awards, scientific and technological achievements, scientific and technological talent plans within 6 years; cancel 6 years as a nomination or recommendation Qualifications such as persons, nominees or recommenders, review experts, etc.; cancel their membership or membership in academic institutions such as societies, associations, etc.; recover the authoru2019s personal research awards and honorary titles; postpone promotion to high school for 2 years professional and technical position; instructed to contact the magazine as soon as possible to withdraw the manuscript; administrative warning. Yao Junjing (tied for the first author): A talk on scientific research integrity admonitions; criticisms were circulated in the hospital. The Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical College dealt with Su Qiang (the first author) as follows: ordered him to make an in-depth inspection; ordered him to withdraw the manuscript of the papers involved; cancel the 5-year application for scientific and technological plan projects (special projects, funds, etc.), scientific and technological awards, Qualifications such as the title of scientific and technological talents; cancel the 5-year postgraduate tutor application and appointment qualification; cancel the 3-year professional title promotion qualification; the hospital will report criticism. ,