Retracted : The long noncoding RNA cardiac hypertrophy‐related factor plays oncogenic roles in hepatocellular carcinoma by downregulating microRNA‐211
Authors: Xiangsu Xu
Yichun Li
Yannan Li
Journal: Journal of Cellular Biochemistry (2019)
Discipline: MOLECULAR BIOLOGY & GENETICS
Keywords: Wnt/β-catenin pathway; epithelial-mesenchymal transition; hepatocellular carcinoma; long noncoding RNA cardiac hypertrophy-related factor; microRNA-211
Affiliations: Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Jining No.1 People's Hospital, Jining, Shandong, China., Department of Gynecology, Jining Hospital of TCM, Jining, Shandong, China.

Abstract:  Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most major type of primary hepatic cancer. This study aimed to explore the possible oncogenic effects of the long noncoding RNA cardiac hypertrophy-related factor (CHRF) on HCC, as well as the underlying possible mechanism. Methods: The expression levels of CHRF and microRNA-211 (miR-211) in HCC tissues and/or cell lines HepG2 and Huh-7 were measured using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Cell transfection was conducted to change the expression levels of CHRF and miR-211 in cells. Cell viability and apoptosis were assessed using the cell counting kit-8 assay and annexin V-phycoerythrin staining, respectively. The pull-down assay and RNA immunoprecipitation were performed to analyze the association between CHRF and miR-211. The expression of the key factors involving in cell proliferation, cell apoptosis, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process, as well as the phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) and Wnt/β-catenin pathways, were evaluated by Western blot analysis. Results: CHRF was highly expressed in HCC tissues and positively associated with the TNM stage, differentiation, and size of tumors. Overexpression of CHRF promoted HepG2 cell viability, proliferation, and EMT process. CHRF knockdown had opposite effects. Moreover, CHRF negatively regulated the expression of miR-21, and miR-21 was a direct target of CHRF. Overexpression of miR-211 reversed the effects of CHRF on HepG2 and Huh-7 cell viability, proliferation, and EMT process. Furthermore, overexpression of CHRF activated the PI3K/AKT and Wnt/β-catenin pathways in HepG2 cells by downregulating miR-211. Conclusion: CHRF played oncogenic roles in HCC. The overexpression of CHRF promoted HepG2 and Huh-7 cell viability, proliferation, and EMT process by downregulating miR-211 and then activating the PI3K/AKT and Wnt/β-catenin pathways. 

Retracted: Yes

PubPeer comments:
 The Western blots in this paper have an interesting appearance that appears to be shared with blots in other papers from other research groups, such as these papers published in the Journal of Cellular Biochemistry: * Ying Liu et al. 2019, DOI: 10.1002 jcb.29568 * Long Liu et al. 2020, DOI: 10.1002 jcb.29642 * Lin Zhang et al. 2019, DOI: 10.1002 jcb.28729 * Yugeng Li et al. 2019, DOI: 10.1002 jcb.29146 * Xiaoliang Yang et al. 2019, DOI: 10.1002 jcb.28829 * Ning Han et al. 2019, DOI: 10.1002 jcb.29638 All these papers share particular characteristics, such as similar title structure, similar graph design, and the appearance of the Western blots. Western blot panels within the same figure, and across figures and papers, appear to share the same background or parts of the background. In addition, the bands are regularly spaced, all have similar rounded edges, without the usual smudges and specks. The bands also sometimes have a particular fish-like shape that resembles jumping sardines. For example, here is Figure 5C, with its contrast enhanced to bring out details. Although the bands are differently shaped, the background of these panels is more similar than expected. Colored panels draw attention to background areas that look unexpectedly similar. Could the authors provide the original, uncropped blots, please? ![file] , 
 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 , 
 Retracted [4 June 2021] . ----------------------------------- The above article, published online on 27 March 2019 in Wiley Online Library , has been retracted by agreement between 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. Several flaws and inconsistencies between results presented and experimental methods described were found, the editors consider the conclusions of this article to be invalid. The authors collaborated in the investigation initially, but were not available for a final confirmation of the retraction. , 
 [Source: Jining First People s Hospital Release time: 2021-12-17] : In order to strengthen the construction of scientific research integrity, severely punish violations, and create a good environment for scientific and technological innovation, the relevant paper issues recently investigated and dealt with by this unit are hereby notified as follows. 3. The paper  The long noncoding RNA cardiac hypertrophy-related factor plays oncogenic roles in hepatocellular carcinoma by downregulating microRNA-211 published by Xiangsu Xu as the corresponding author and Yichun Li as the first author in our hospital has been investigated and found to be falsified data and fabricated research Process for Academic Misconduct. Our hospital will deal with the relevant responsible persons as follows: Xu Xiangsu (corresponding author): cancel the application qualifications for scientific research projects, scientific research awards, scientific and technological achievements, and scientific and technological talent plans within 5 years; cancel the 5-year nomination or recommender, nominated or recommender, Review experts and other qualifications; cancel their membership or membership in academic institutions such as societies, associations, etc.; postpone promotion to a higher-level professional and technical position for one year; order to contact the magazine as soon as possible to withdraw the manuscript; warning from the party. Li Yichun (first author): Cancellation of application qualifications for scientific research projects, scientific research awards, scientific and technological achievements, scientific and technological talent plans, etc. within 5 years; cancellation of 5-year qualifications as nominees or recommenders, nominees or recommenders, review experts, etc.; Membership or membership of academic institutions such as academic institutions, associations, etc.; revocation of higher-level professional and technical positions that have been obtained; postponement of promotion to higher-level professional and technical positions for 2 years; instructed to contact the magazine as soon as possible to withdraw the manuscript; administrative warning. Jining Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine made the following treatment to Li Yannan (participating author): fill in the letter of commitment; the paper is invalid and shall not be used in any form. ,