Long non-coding RNA DANCR alleviates hypoxia-caused H9c2 cells damage through up regulation of HIF-1α
Authors: Jingcheng Chen
Xiaofei Xu
Libin Qiu
Aoshuang Zhu
Shanshan Zhao
Lingli Dai
Qian Zhao
Journal: Artificial Cells Nanomedicine and Biotechnology (2020)
Discipline: BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
Keywords: DANCR; HIF-1α; apoptosis; hypoxia; myocardial infarction.
Affiliations: Department of Cardiology, Weifang People's Hospital, Shandong, China., Department of Rehabilitation Medicine and Physical Therapy, Second Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu, China., Department of Cardiology, The Affiliated Changzhou No.2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu, China.

Abstract:  Hypoxia is an important cause of myocardial cell loss, further inducing various heart illnesses, including acute myocardial infraction (AMI). Long non-coding RNA (LncRNA) discrimination antagonising non-protein coding RNA (DANCR) was firstly identified as epidermal cell differentiation suppressor. Here, we aimed to explore the effects and mechanism of DNACR in hypoxia-induced H9c2 cells. Hypoxic cells were made through 94% N2, 5% CO2, and 1% O2 environment for 24 h. Cell viability and apoptosis were detected via methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) method and flow cytometry analysis, respectively. The expression of DANCR and HIF-1α was examined via qRT-PCR. The expression of proteins related to cell apoptosis and PI3K/AKT/mTOR and ERK1/2 signal pathways was examined through western blot analysis. We found that hypoxia induced obvious cell activity inhibition and apoptosis increasing in H9c2 cells. DANCR was negatively regulated under hypoxia condition. Overexpression of DANCR rescued activity and attenuated apoptosis. Moreover, the overexpression of DANCR elevated the activation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR and ERK1/2 pathways. Further study indicated that DANCR could up-regulate the expression of HIF-1α. Si-HIF-1α transfection could remove the beneficial effects of DANCR overexpression in hypoxia-caused H9c2 cells damage. In conclusion, DANCR alleviated hypoxia-caused H9c2 cells damage through positive regulation of HIF-1α. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
 The Western Blots in this paper all display the curious, stylised form, like tadpoles or performing sardines, familiar from products of the celebrated  Tadpole Papermill. Here, Fig 4. ![file] Expression of Concern, [11 January 2021] : -------------------------------------- We, the Publisher and Editor of Artificial Cells, Nanomedicine, and Biotechnology, are issuing an Expression of Concern for the following article: Libin Qiu, Qian Zhao, Lingli Dai, Aoshuang Zhu, Xiaofei Xu, Shanshan Zhao Jingcheng Chen (2020) Long non-coding RNA DANCR alleviates hypoxia-caused H9c2 cells damage through up regulation of HIF-1u03b1. Artificial Cells, Nanomedicine, and Biotechnology, 48:1, 533u2013541, DOI: 10.1080 21691401.2020.1725026 After publication of this article, questions about the scientific integrity of the article content were brought to the Publisher and Editoru2019s attention. We reached out to the authors requesting that they supply information, including the original data in order to confirm the articleu2019s integrity and the authenticity of the data presented. The authors have not responded to our specific queries within the requested timeframe. Therefore, as we continue to work through the issues raised, we advise readers to interpret the information presented in the article with due caution. The authors have been notified about this Expression of Concern. ,