Retracted : Effects of microRNA‐24 targeting C‐myc on apoptosis, proliferation, and cytokine expressions in chondrocytes of rats with osteoarthritis via MAPK signaling pathway
Authors: Bin Xue
Bo Zhang
Bin Liu
Wei Liu
Yuan-Hao Wu
Ran Duan
Yi Wang
Yang Ji
Lei Zhang
Xiao-Ya Liu
Journal: Journal of Cellular Biochemistry (2018)
Discipline: MOLECULAR BIOLOGY & GENETICS
Keywords: C-myc; MAPK signaling pathway; chondrocytes; microRNA-24; osteoarthritis.
Affiliations: Department of Rheumatology and ImmunologyFirst Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese MedicineTianjinP.R. China, Institute of Basic Research in Clinical MedicineChina Academy of Chinese Medical SciencesBeijingP.R. China, Department of Internal MedicineThe 272nd Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation ArmyTianjinP.R. China

Abstract:  To investigate whether microRNA-24 (miR-24) targeting C-myc affects chondrocytes of rats with osteoarthritis (OA) via the MAPK signaling pathway. Thirty rats were assigned as a sham group and an OA group (established as OA rat models by cutting the anterior cruciate ligaments and removing 1/3 medial meniscus). TUNEL staining and immunohistochemistry were conducted for cell apoptosis index (AI) and positive expression rate of C-myc protein. Enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA) was carried out for serum level of IL-1β and TNF-α. Primary chondrocytes were assigned into the blank, negative control (NC), miR-24 mimics, miR-24 inhibitors, siRNA-C-myc, and miR-24 inhibitors+siRNA-C-myc groups. The expressions of miR-24, C-myc, p38, ERK, JNK, IL-1β, and TNF-α in tissues and cells were detected using reverse transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blotting. CCK8 assay and flow cytometry were performed for cell proliferation and apoptosis. The OA group showed higher IL-1β, TNF-α, AI, and C-myc than the sham group. C-myc is a target gene of miR-24. Compared with the blank group, the miR-24 mimics and siRNA-C-myc groups showed reduced expression of C-myc, IL-1β, TNF-α, p38, p-p38, ERK, p-ERK, JNK, and p-JNK, apoptosis rate yet increased cell proliferation; however, the miR-24 inhibitors group exhibited an opposite trend. The miR-24 inhibitors+siRNA-C-myc group presented a same tendency compared to the siRNA-C-myc group. Upregulated miR-24 downregulates C-myc could suppress apoptosis and promote proliferation of chondrocytes to prevent the occurrence and subsequent progression of OA via inactivating the MAPK signaling pathway. 

Retracted: Yes

PubPeer comments:
 Fig 6A.  Protein expressions of C-myc, p38, ERK and JNK detected by Western blotting Notes: A, protein blots of C-myc, IL-1u03b2, TNF-u03b1, p-p38 p38, p-ERK ERK and p-JNK JNK in the sham group and the OA group . At right: Figs 6A,C from [Wang et al (2018)] . ![file] Similar protein blobs marked. , 
 Fig 9A,  Protein expressions of C-myc, p38, ERK, JNK, IL-1u03b2 and TNF-u03b1 in each group detected by Western blotting Notes: A, protein blots of C-myc, p38, ERK, JNK, IL-1u03b2 and TNF-u03b1 in chondrocytes of normal rats in all groups . At right, Fig 3C from [Jiang et al (2018)] ![file] The protein blob marked with a red box turns up in a number of other papers (from different authors), despite its distinctive shape. Usually it is part of a control band, but not always. Here, for instance, comparing 9A with 5C from [Wu et al (2018)] . ![file] , 
 Retracted [30 June 2021] . --------------------- The above article, published online on 16 November 2017 in Wiley Online Library has been retracted by agreement between the the journal s Editor in Chief, Prof. Dr. Christian Behl, 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. , 
 Fig 11A C: ![] For comparison with Fig 1B of [Wang et al (2016)] ![] Fig 5 of [Ge et al (2016)] . ![] ,