LDH hybrid thermosensitive hydrogel for intravaginal delivery of anti-HIV drugs
Authors: Yan Liang
Xia Huang
Wenxue Tian
Shangcong Han
Yong Sun
Jie Cao
Mei Han
Journal: Artificial Cells Nanomedicine and Biotechnology (2019)
Discipline: BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
Keywords: Thermosensitive hydrogel; anti-HIV drugs; controlled release; intravaginal delivery system.
Affiliations: a Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy , Qingdao University , Qingdao , China.

Abstract:  Microbicides based on hydrogel have become an effective way to prevent the HIV replication and transmission because of their convenience and prolonging drug release. In this study, a hybrid thermo-sensitive hydrogel constituted by nanosized layered double hydroxides and poloxamer 407 (P407) was constructed and co-loaded with both hydrophobic and hydrophilic drug. The LDH-P407 hydrogel could achieve sol-gel transition at body temperature. The in vivo experiment showed that LDH-P407 hydrogel can achieve controlled release of theaflavin and Nile red (hydrophobic drug model) into blood by vaginal drug delivery, meanwhile the hydrogel showed barely mucosal irritation. In addition, ex vivo experiment showed that the nifeviroc-loaded LDH-P407 hydrogel was able to specifically bind co-receptor CCR5 of DCs cells. Therefore, the LDH-P407 hydrogel would be a promising carrier for intravaginal delivery of anti-HIV drugs. 

Retracted: Yes

PubPeer comments:
 ![file] The Figure 3 in the paper. , 
 #1 Piggybacking on your findings, here is my illustration plus my additional finding for the Nonoxinal image. Nonoxinal and P407 are definitely not the same image but the substantial similarity suggests that they descended from a common ancestor that most likely was a very same paraffin block. ![] , 
 #1 Thanks for pointing out our mistakes. After checking, we confirmed that image of P407(TNF-u03b1) was NOT spinned from P407(IL-6). For testing the irratation of hydrogel, the tissue of rabbit s vagina was obtained and sliced, but dyed in different reagents, these two slices may obtained from adjacent parts in the same tissue, so the morphology may seem alike, but still remain apparent difference. As you can see here.![file] . , 
 #2 And we are terribly sorry that during processing the images, some images were saved in wrong order. The P407(HE) should be this image: ![file] , 
 #1 And the NaCl(IL-6) should be this image:![file] Now we have contacted the editors of *Artificial Cells Nanomedicine and Biotechnology* to make corrections. Again, we deeply apologize for our carelessness, and we are grateful for your attention. , 
 The original images of hole tissue section of P407(HE):![file] and LDH-P407(HE)![file] , 
 #3 Dr. Han, thank you for responding to the concerns. Your explanation of the similarity between P407(TNF-u03b1) and P407(IL-6) makes sense and I appreciate that. , 
 #6 Dr. Han, the resolution of these 2 images is kinda poor. Can you upload the high resolution originals? Thanks! An additional request. Can you please upload images with scale bars? Some images look like more zoomed in than the others. , 
 #8 Thanks for your attention. Here are the images of LDH-P407(HE) from ONE slice with scale bars.![file] ![file] ![file] ![file] ![file] ![file] ![file] , 
 And here are the images of P407(HE) from ONE slice with scale bars. ![file] ![file] ![file] ![file] ![file] ![file] ![file] For any further queries, please contact with us. , 
 Retracted [10 August 2021] . ------------------------------------ We, the Editors and Publisher of the journal *Artificial Cells, Nanomedicine, and Biotechnology*, have retracted the following article: Wenxue Tian, Shangcong Han, Xia Huang, Mei Han, Jie Cao, Yan Liang Yong Sun (2019) LDH hybrid thermosensitive hydrogel for intravaginal delivery of anti-HIV drugs. *Artificial Cells, Nanomedicine, and Biotechnology*, 47:1, 1234u20131240, DOI: 10.1080 21691401.2019.1596935 Since publication, concerns were raised about Figure 3. When approached for an explanation, the authors have been unable to provide a satisfactory response. We are therefore retracting this article and the corresponding author listed in this publication has been informed. We have been informed in our decision-making by our policy on publishing ethics and integrity and the COPE guidelines on retractions. The retracted article will remain online to maintain the scholarly record, but it will be digitally watermarked on each page as u2018Retractedu2019. ,