MicroRNA-132 protects hippocampal neurons against oxygen-glucose deprivation–induced apoptosis
Authors: Zhan-Yun Lv
Zu-Zhen Sun
Wen-Jing Tian
Yan Yang
Journal: International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology (2017)
Discipline: PHARMACOLOGY & TOXICOLOGY
Keywords: FOXO3; apoptosis; hippocampal neuron cells; hypoxic-ischemic brain injury; microRNA-132
Affiliations: Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining, China.

Abstract:  Hypoxic-ischemic brain injury (HIBI) results in death or long-term neurologic impairment in both adults and children. In this study, we investigated the effects of microRNA-132 (miR-132) dysregulation on oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD)-induced apoptosis in fetal rat hippocampal neurons, in order to reveal the therapeutic potential of miR-132 on HIBI. MiR-132 dysregulation was induced prior to OGD exposure by transfection of primary fetal rat hippocampal neurons with miR-132 mimic or miR-132 inhibitor. The effects of miR-132 overexpression and suppression on OGD-stimulated hippocampal neurons were evaluated by detection of cell viability, apoptotic cells rate, and the expression of apoptosis-related proteins. Besides, TargetScan database and dual luciferase activity assay were used to seek a target gene of miR-132. As a result, miR-132 was highly expressed in hippocampal neurons following 2 h of OGD exposure. MiR-132 overexpression significantly increased OGD-diminished cell viability and reduced OGD-induced apoptosis at 12, 24, and 48 h post-OGD. MiR-132 overexpression significantly down-regulated the expressions of Bax, cytochrome c, and caspase-9, but up-regulated BCl-2. Caspase-3 activity was also significantly decreased by miR-132 overexpression. Furthermore, FOXO3 was a direct target of miR-132, and it was negatively regulated by miR-132. To conclude, our results provide evidence that miR-132 protects hippocampal neurons against OGD injury by inhibiting apoptosis. 

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 , 
 February 2021 Expression of Concern found here: https: journals.sagepub.com doi full 10.1177 20587384211000809 From the Notice:  *It has been brought to SAGEu2019s attention that this article may have been written (and possibly submitted) by a third-party agency, and that the contents of the article may be partially or wholly fabricated. SAGE is currently conducting a thorough investigation into this to establish the most appropriate way forward.* Here is Figure 4A to illustrate the  tadpole like appearance of the Western blots in this paper: ![file] And here is Figure 3 showing the peculiar appearance of the flow cytometry images: ![file] , 
 Retracted [2 September 2021] . H t [RetractionWatch] . -------------------------------------- At the request of the Journal Editor(s) the following article has been retracted. Sun Z-Z, Lv Z-Y, Tian W-J, Yang Y (2017) MicroRNA-132 protects hippocampal neurons against oxygen-glucose deprivationu2013induced apoptosis. International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology 30(3) 253-263. DOI: 10.1177 0394632017715837. Significant similarities between this paper and a number of other papers have been identified, as well as indication of image and data manipulation suggestive of the use of a u201cpaper millu201d. These papers share common structures and wording yet do not share any common authors. The authors did not provide a sufficient response or evidence to refute these claims. As a result, the scientific accuracy of this paper is not reliable. Adhering to the international guidelines established by the Committee on Publication Ethics, the Journal has determined these are grounds for retraction. , 
 A [report from the Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical College reads as follows] (thanks, Google Translate!): ------------------------------ 8.  MicroRNA-132 protects hippocampal neurons against oxygen-glucose deprivation-induced apoptosis by Sun Zuzhen of Jining Medical College Affiliated Hospital as the first author is a false experiment and false research question. After investigation, the paper  MicroRNA-132 protects hippocampal neurons against oxygen-glucose deprivation-induced apoptosis by Sun Zuzhen as the first author and Tian Wenjing as the third author has false experiments and false research problems. The Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical College will deal with the relevant responsible persons as follows: 1. The first author, Sun Zuzhen, will be (1) ordered to make an in-depth inspection; (2) the five-year application for scientific and technological plan projects (special projects, funds, etc.), scientific and technological awards, and the title of scientific and technological talents will be cancelled, starting from March 2, 2020 Until March 1, 2025; (3) Cancellation of five-year postgraduate tutor application and appointment qualifications from March 2, 2020 to March 1, 2025; (4) Cancellation of deputy chief physician appointment qualifications The attending physician shall be employed for two years, from March 2, 2020 to March 1, 2022; (5) Criticism is reported in the hospital. 2. The third author, Tian Wenjing, was given a notice of criticism in the hospital. ,