Retracted : Protective effects of microRNA‐431 against cerebral ischemia‐reperfusion injury in rats by targeting the Rho/Rho‐kinase signaling pathway
Authors: Yong-Jian Wang
Dong-Mei Wu
Xin-Rui Han
Bin Hu
Chun-Hui Sun
Xin Wen
Min Shen
Liang Wang
Meng-Qiu Li
Jun Lu
Shan Wang
Shao-Hua Fan
Qun Shan
Zi-Feng Zhang
Yuan-Lin Zheng
Journal: Journal of Cellular Physiology (2018)
Discipline: MOLECULAR BIOLOGY & GENETICS
Keywords: Rho/Rho-kinase signaling pathway; apoptosis; cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury; microRNA-431; proliferation.
Affiliations: Key Laboratory for Biotechnology on Medicinal Plants of Jiangsu Province, School of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province, P.R. China.

Abstract:  This study investigates the protective effects of miR-431 against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury through the Rho/Rho-kinase signaling pathway. SD rats were randomly classified into normal, sham, and model (middle cerebral artery occluded) groups. Rho expression and cerebral infarction were visualized by immunohischemistry and TTC staining, respectively. qRT-PCR and western blotting were used to measure mRNA and protein expression of miR-431 and Rho/Rho-kinase signaling pathway-related genes. Hippocampal neurons were extracted and assigned into normal, blank, negative control (NC), miR-431 mimics, miR-431 inhibitors, siRNA-Rho, and miR-431 inhibitors + siRNA-Rho groups. Proliferation and apoptosis were detected by MTT and flow cytometry, respectively. Compared with the normal group, the model group showed elevated Rho expression, area of cerebral infarction, and expressions of Rho/Rho-kinase related genes but reduced miR-431 expression. Compared with the blank group, expression of Rho, Rho-kinase α, and Rho-kinase β decreased and miR-431 expression increased in the miR-431 mimics and siRNA-Rho groups, and the tendency reversed in the miR-431 inhibitors group. Enhanced proliferation and inhibited apoptosis were exhibited in the miR-431 mimics and siRNA-Rho groups while results in the miR-431 inhibitors group reversed. Findings obtained from this study indicated that miR-431 confers protection against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury through negatively regulating the Rho/Rho-kinase signaling pathway. 

Retracted: Yes

PubPeer comments:
 Figure 1A.  Nissl staining for neurons in rats among seven groups Note: A, result of Nissl staining . ![file] Low-res copy; my bad. Even so, it is hard not to see the resemblance between the Inhibitor panel (after 180-deg rotation) and the Model panel of Fig 2(b) of [Wen et al (2018)] .  Pathological changes of hippocampal CA1 region were found in the model group. ... ; (b) hippocampal CA1 region in the two groups using Nissl s staining . Also, between the NC and Normal panels (after a vertical flip). ![file] Could the authors check? , 
 Fig 3 again. After a 180-deg rotation, the miR-431+siRNARho panel matches the CI panel from Fig 3 of [Zhao et al (2018)] . Could the authors check? ![file] , 
 Fig 12(a).  Comparison of cell cycle distribution after cell transfection among seven groups. (a) Cell cycle distribution by flow cytometry among seven groups . ![file] The raw-data cell-count histogram exhibits alarming overhangs and even loops. This can t be normal. , 
 Fig 9B.  The relative protein expressions of Rho Rho-kinase signaling pathway-related proteins among seven groups after transfection detected by Western blotting. (a) Relative protein expressions of neurons after transfection; (b) gray value of proteins by Western blotting analysis . ![file] The loading control appears frequently in other papers, e.g. Fig 5B of [Wu et al (2018)] . ![] Also of interest here is Fig 6C from [Wang et al (2018)] , here flipped horizontally to emphasise the shared protein blobs. ![file] , 
 Retracted [30 June 2021] . ---------------------------- The above article, published online on 11 December 2017 in Wiley Online Library has been retracted by agreement between the journal s Editor in Chief, Prof. Dr. Gregg Fields, and Wiley Periodicals LLC. The retraction has been agreed following an investigation based on allegations raised by a third party. A detailed investigation revealed that several image elements of the experimental data were published elsewhere in a different scientific context. Thus, the editors consider the conclusions of this article to be invalid. ----------------------------- So one more overlap is moot. Never mind, here it is: Fig 2,  Hematoxylin-eosin staining for neurons in rats from the normal, sham and model groups . ![] For comparison with Fig 2B from [Zhang et al (2017)] . ![] , 
 #5 Another gratuitous overlap. Fig 5,  Apoptosis rate of neurons in the hippocampus of rats from the normal, sham and model groups detected by TUNEL staining . ![file] *[above]* Fig 4 from [Zhao et al (2019)] .  Influence of lncRNA ANRIL knockdown on neuronal apoptosis in hippocampus of CI rats (magnification: 40u00d7). Sham: Sham operation group, CI: CI group, CI+ANRIL siRNA: lncRNA ANRIL knockdown group . *[below]* Fig 6 from [Li et al (2017)] .  The cell apoptosis of brain neuronal cells of rats in the four groups by TUNEL staining . ![file] ------------------------------------------- Make that **two** gratuitous overlaps. Fig 3a,  Comparison of area of cerebral infarction among the normal, sham, and model groups . ![] *[above]* Fig. 1 from [Lv et al (2017)] .  Comparison of CI volume in the sham, MCAO, DADLE, LY294002 and DMSO groups using TTC staining. Note: A, coronal section of brain tissues determined by TTC staining at 72h after I R injury . *[below]* Fig 3A from [Fan et al (2018)] .  The CI area of rats among five groups detected by TTC staining Note: A, TTC staining . ![file] Fig 3A from [Li et al (2017)] .  The TTC staining of brain tissue . ![file] Fig 1 from [Guo et al (2018)] . ![] ------------------------------------------------------- UPDATED: One more comparison, for dead-horse-flogging-purposes: *[below]* Fig 2,  Hematoxylin-eosin staining for neurons in rats from the normal, sham and model groups . Flipped through 180 deg for ease of comparisons. *[above]* Fig 9A from [Yang et al (2018)] ,  satellite metastases in each group using HE staining . ![file] , 
 Assessed here, as part of the first of 10 broad investigations: https: www.nsfc.gov.cn publish portal0 tab442 info85495.htm **Decisions on handling scientific research misconduct cases investigated and dealt with in 2022 (first batch)** Date 2022-05-13 Source: u3000 Author: u3000 u3010 Large, Middle and Small u3011 u3010Printu3011 u3010Closeu3011 u3000u3000The National Natural Science Foundation of China resolutely implements the spirit of the  Several Opinions on Further Strengthening the Construction of Scientific Research Integrity and  Opinions on Further Promoting the Spirit of Scientists and Strengthening the Construction of Style and Study Style by the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the General Office of the State Council. Horizontal science and technology are self-reliant and self-reliant, continue to carry out scientific research integrity construction, and seriously investigate and deal with scientific research misconduct involving the National Natural Science Foundation of China. The Supervision Committee of the National Natural Science Foundation of China conducts investigations, verifications and comprehensive judgments on the accepted scientific research integrity cases, in accordance with the Regulations of the National Natural Science Foundation of ) and  Measures for Investigation and Handling of Scientific Research Misconduct in National Natural Science Foundation of China and other regulations and systems to propose handling suggestions. After deliberation at the second executive meeting of the National Natural Science Foundation of China in 2022, it was decided to deal with the relevant parties involved. The 10 handling decisions (online release version) that have been criticized and criticized are hereby announced. -------------------------------- About the existence of papers published on Wu Dongmei, Zheng Yuanlin, Lu Jun, etc. - Falsification of pictures or data, fabrication of research process, use of others signatures without consent, and false information in project final reports - processing decision - National Science and Technology Financial Supervisory Office [2022] No. 1 u3000u3000The Supervision Committee of the National Natural Science Foundation of China launched an investigation into several papers of Jiangsu Normal University, including Wu Dongmei, Zheng Yuanlin, and Jun Jun, for suspected academic misconduct. The papers involved are as follows: ... u3000u3000Paper 29:  Xin-Rui Han # , Xin Wen # , Yong-Jian Wang # , Shan Wang, Min Shen, Zi-Feng Zhang, Shao-Hua Fan, Qun Shan, Liang Wang, Meng-Qiu Li, Bin Hu, Chun-Hui Sun, Dong-Mei Wu*, Jun Lu*, Yuan-Lin Zheng*. **Protective effects of microRNA-431 against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats by targeting the Rho Rho-kinase signaling pathway**. Journal of Cellular Biochemistry , 2018, 233(8):5895-5907.u201d (marked with fund numbers 81271225, 81171012, 30950031, 81571055, 81400902, 81570531, 81672731) ... u3000u3000According to the investigation of the supporting unit, the above 35 papers involved all have the problem of improper use of pictures or data fraud, and the pictures or data in question are all provided by third-party companies. Among the 35 papers involved, 34 (except paper 21) still have the problem of using others signatures without consent, and papers 4, 5, 9, 12, 30, and 34 also have the problem of fabricating the research process. Wu Dongmei is the author of the above 35 papers involved, of which 12 papers (papers 2, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 25, 26, 30, 35) are the first author and 22 papers (Paper 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 31, 32, 33, 34) Corresponding author, They should be primarily responsible for the objective results of falsifying pictures or data, using others signatures without consent, and fabricating research processes; Zheng Yuanlin and Lu Jun, as the co-corresponding authors of the 35 papers involved, were negligent in reviewing and took secondary responsibility. In addition, Wu Dongmei included 4 papers involved (papers 21, 24, 28, 29) in the final report of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 81400902), and Zheng Yuanlin included 9 papers involved (papers 6, 8, 10, 13, 21, 24, 26, 28, 29) included in the final report of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 81571055), and should be responsible for the objective results of false information in the final report. u3000u3000After deliberation at the 12th meeting of the Fifth Supervision Committee of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Life Medicine Professional Committee) and the approval of the second executive meeting of the National Natural Science Foundation of China in 2022, it was decided to follow the thirty-fifth National Natural Science Foundation of China Regulations. Article 4, Article 17, Items 3, 4, and 9 of  Measures for Handling Misconduct in Science Fund Work by the Supervision Committee of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (for Trial Implementation) , revocation of Wu Dongmei s National Natural Science Foundation of Molecular mechanism of TRPV4-mediated domoic acid treatment-induced cognitive deficits in mice (Grant No. 81400902), recovering the allocated funds, permanently disqualifying Wu Dongmei from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (since January 18, 2022), Give Wu Dongmei a circular of criticism; decide to follow Article 35, item 4 of the  National Natural Science Foundation of China Regulations , and refer to  The National Natural Science Foundation of China Supervision Committee s Handling of Misconduct in Science Fund Work (Trial) Tenth Items 3 and 4 of seven articles, the Zheng Yuanlin National Natural Science Foundation of China project  The Mechanism of HDAC6 Activating HMGB1 RAGE Signaling Axis to Mediate Cognitive Defects in Type 2 Diabetic Mice (Approval No. 81571055), recover the allocated funds, cancel Zheng Yuanlin will be eligible to apply for the National Natural Science Foundation of China for 5 years (January 18, 2022 to January 17, 2027), and will give Zheng Yuanlin a notice of criticism; it is decided to refer to the  National Natural Science Foundation of China Supervision Committee on misconduct in the work of the National Natural Science Foundation of China. Items 3 and 4 of Article 17 of the Measures (for Trial Implementation), the Army s National Natural Science Foundation of China project application qualification will be cancelled for 5 years (January 18, 2022 to January 17, 2027), and the Army will be criticized in a circular. - National Natural Science Foundation of China - March 30, 2022 ,