Retracted : Upregulation of Klotho potentially inhibits pulmonary vascular remodeling by blocking the activation of the Wnt signaling pathway in rats with PM2.5‐induced pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Yi-Na Wu
Tao Li
Lu-Hong Cong
Ying Liu
Gang Li
Jun Duan
Hui Wang
Shi-Yu Du
Journal: Journal of Cellular Biochemistry (2018)
Discipline: MOLECULAR BIOLOGY & GENETICS
Keywords: Klotho; PM2.5; Wnt signaling pathway; pulmonary hypertension; pulmonary vascular remodeling.
Affiliations: Department of Emergency, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, P. R. China., Department of Gastroenterology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, P. R. China., Surgical Intensive Care Unit, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, P. R. China., Department of Geriatric, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, P. R. China.

Abstract:  We evaluated the effects of Klotho on pulmonary vascular remodeling and cell proliferation and apoptosis in rat models with PM2.5-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) via the Wnt signaling pathway. After establishing rat models of PM2.5-induced PAH, these Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomized into control and model groups. Cells extracted from the model rats were sub-categorized into different groups. Activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling transcription factor was detected by a TOPFlash/FOPFlash assay. A serial of experiment was conducted to identify the mechanism of Klotho on PHA via the Wnt signaling pathway. VEGF levels and PaCO2 content were higher in the model group, while PaO2, NO2- /NO3- content and Klotho level was lower compared to the control group. In comparison to the control group, the model group had decreased Klotho and Bax levels, and elevated Wnt-1, β-catenin, bcl-2, survivin, and PCNA expression, VEGF, IL-6, TNF-α, TNF-β1, and bFGF levels, as well as the percentage of pulmonary artery ring contraction. The Klotho vector, DKK-1 and DKK-1 + Klotho vector groups exhibited reduced cell proliferation, luciferase activity, and the expression of Wnt-1, β-catenin, bcl-2, survivin, and PCNA, as well as shortened S phase compared with the blank and NC groups. Compared with the Klotho vector and DKK-1 groups, the DKK-1 + Klotho vector groups had reduced cell proliferation, luciferase activity, and the expression of Wnt-1, β-catenin, bcl-2, survivin, and PCNA, as well as a shortened S phase. Conclusively, Klotho inhibits pulmonary vascular remodeling by inactivation of Wnt signaling pathway. 

Retracted: Yes

PubPeer comments:
 ![file] , 
 Figure 1D. * Green boxes: the Snail-1 panel in this figure looks similar to the Stat1 panel in another paper by the same first author and research group. The dark red box is the one also marked above, just for orientation purposes. ![file] , 
 Figure 1C and 3D. * Blue boxes: The panel representing the H157CisR cells (without vehicle) in Figure 1C appears to overlap with the H157CirR, vehicle panel in Figure 3D. ![file] , 
 Figure 4A: * Pink boxes: The H157P-xenograft panel appears to overlap with the Cerulenin treated panel. ![file] , 
 In the figures shown in post #3, the upper A549CisR and the lower A549CisR, vehicle panels also appear to overlap, with a small difference in magnification. , 
 #5 Illustrating Salvia Verbenaca s observation: ![file] ,