Inhibition of the TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway protects against cartilage injury and osteoarthritis in a rat model
Authors: Hui Li
Dong-Mei Wu
Yong-Jian Wang
Xin Wen
Xin-Rui Han
Min Shen
Jun Lu
Shan Wang
Fei Wang
Zi-Feng Zhang
Yuan-Lin Zheng
Journal: Life Sciences (2017)
Discipline: BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
Keywords: Cartilage injury; Osteoarthritis; Transforming growth factor-β1/Smad; TβRI inhibitor.
Affiliations: Key Laboratory for Biotechnology on Medicinal Plants of Jiangsu Province, School of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou 221116, PR China., Department of Joint Surgery, The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050051, PR China., Key Laboratory for Biotechnology on Medicinal Plants of Jiangsu Province, School of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou 221116, PR China. Electronic address: .

Abstract:  This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (https://www.elsevier.com/about/our-business/policies/article-withdrawal). This article has been retracted at the request of the Editor-in-Chief as there are concerns about the reliability of the results included in the article. The journal was initially contacted by several authors requesting retraction of this paper because these authors claimed that it was published without their knowledge and consent, although several authors have opposing opinions. Fig. 6A. contains similar parts of Fig 2C from another paper authored by the same group of authors published in Journal of Cellular Biochemistry, Volume 119, Issue 2, (2018) 1827-1840, https://doi.org/10.1002/jcb.26344, the journal requested the authors to provide the raw data. However, the authors were not able to fulfill this request. 

Retracted: Yes

PubPeer comments:
 Fig. 6A.  The protein expression of Osterix, p-Smad2 3 and ALK5 and GAPDH among the NC, OA model and Tu03b2RI inhibitors groups. Note: A, protein bands of Osterix, p-Smad2 3 and ALK5, and GAPDH . The GAPDH loading control is familiar, with the distinctive eye at the right end of one blob. ![file] Other appearances include Fig 2C from [Wen et al (2018)] ,  SPRY4-IT1 and EZH2 expressions in five cell lines detected by RT-qPCR and western blotting ... C, the EZH2 protein bands in five LA cell lines detected by western blotting . ![] *[left]* Fig. 3A from [Shen et al (2017)] ; *[right]* Fig 4B from [Wang et al (2017)] . ![file] , 
 Gone fishing! ![file] , 
 Retracted, [8 April 2022] .  This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal . This article has been retracted at the request of the Editor-in-Chief as there are concerns about the reliability of the results included in the article. The journal was initially contacted by several authors requesting retraction of this paper because these authors claimed that it was published without their knowledge and consent, although several authors have opposing opinions. Fig. 6A. contains similar parts of Fig 2C from another paper authored by the same group of authors published in Journal of Cellular Biochemistry, Volume 119, Issue 2, (2018) 1827-1840, https: doi.org 10.1002 jcb.26344, the journal requested the authors to provide the raw data. However, the authors were not able to fulfill this request. , 
 Assessed here, as part of the first of 10 broad investigations: https: www.nsfc.gov.cn publish portal0 tab442 info85495.htm **Decisions on handling scientific research misconduct cases investigated and dealt with in 2022 (first batch)** Date 2022-05-13 Source: u3000 Author: u3000 u3010 Large, Middle and Small u3011 u3010Printu3011 u3010Closeu3011 u3000u3000The National Natural Science Foundation of China resolutely implements the spirit of the  Several Opinions on Further Strengthening the Construction of Scientific Research Integrity and  Opinions on Further Promoting the Spirit of Scientists and Strengthening the Construction of Style and Study Style by the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the General Office of the State Council. Horizontal science and technology are self-reliant and self-reliant, continue to carry out scientific research integrity construction, and seriously investigate and deal with scientific research misconduct involving the National Natural Science Foundation of China. The Supervision Committee of the National Natural Science Foundation of China conducts investigations, verifications and comprehensive judgments on the accepted scientific research integrity cases, in accordance with the Regulations of the National Natural Science Foundation of ) and  Measures for Investigation and Handling of Scientific Research Misconduct in National Natural Science Foundation of China and other regulations and systems to propose handling suggestions. After deliberation at the second executive meeting of the National Natural Science Foundation of China in 2022, it was decided to deal with the relevant parties involved. The 10 handling decisions (online release version) that have been criticized and criticized are hereby announced. -------------------------------- About the existence of papers published on Wu Dongmei, Zheng Yuanlin, Lu Jun, etc. - Falsification of pictures or data, fabrication of research process, use of others signatures without consent, and false information in project final reports - processing decision - National Science and Technology Financial Supervisory Office [2022] No. 1 u3000u3000The Supervision Committee of the National Natural Science Foundation of China launched an investigation into several papers of Jiangsu Normal University, including Wu Dongmei, Zheng Yuanlin, and Jun Jun, for suspected academic misconduct. The papers involved are as follows: ... Paper 20:  Yong-Jian Wang # , Min Shen # , Shan Wang # , Xin Wen, Xin-Rui Han, Zi-Feng Zhang, Hui Li, Fei Wang, Dong-Mei Wu*, Jun Lu*, Yuan-Lin Zheng*. **Inhibition of the TGF-u03b21 Smad signaling pathway protects against cartilage injury and osteoarthritis in a rat model**. Life Sciences, 2017, 189:106-113.u201d (with reference to fund numbers 81271225, 31201039, 81171012, 30950031, 81571055, 81400902) ... u3000u3000According to the investigation of the supporting unit, the above 35 papers involved all have the problem of improper use of pictures or data fraud, and the pictures or data in question are all provided by third-party companies. Among the 35 papers involved, 34 (except paper 21) still have the problem of using others signatures without consent, and papers 4, 5, 9, 12, 30, and 34 also have the problem of fabricating the research process. Wu Dongmei is the author of the above 35 papers involved, of which 12 papers (papers 2, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 25, 26, 30, 35) are the first author and 22 papers (Paper 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 31, 32, 33, 34) Corresponding author, They should be primarily responsible for the objective results of falsifying pictures or data, using others signatures without consent, and fabricating research processes; Zheng Yuanlin and Lu Jun, as the co-corresponding authors of the 35 papers involved, were negligent in reviewing and took secondary responsibility. In addition, Wu Dongmei included 4 papers involved (papers 21, 24, 28, 29) in the final report of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 81400902), and Zheng Yuanlin included 9 papers involved (papers 6, 8, 10, 13, 21, 24, 26, 28, 29) included in the final report of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 81571055), and should be responsible for the objective results of false information in the final report. u3000u3000After deliberation at the 12th meeting of the Fifth Supervision Committee of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Life Medicine Professional Committee) and the approval of the second executive meeting of the National Natural Science Foundation of China in 2022, it was decided to follow the thirty-fifth National Natural Science Foundation of China Regulations. Article 4, Article 17, Items 3, 4, and 9 of  Measures for Handling Misconduct in Science Fund Work by the Supervision Committee of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (for Trial Implementation) , revocation of Wu Dongmei s National Natural Science Foundation of Molecular mechanism of TRPV4-mediated domoic acid treatment-induced cognitive deficits in mice (Grant No. 81400902), recovering the allocated funds, permanently disqualifying Wu Dongmei from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (since January 18, 2022), Give Wu Dongmei a circular of criticism; decide to follow Article 35, item 4 of the  National Natural Science Foundation of China Regulations , and refer to  The National Natural Science Foundation of China Supervision Committee s Handling of Misconduct in Science Fund Work (Trial) Tenth Items 3 and 4 of seven articles, the Zheng Yuanlin National Natural Science Foundation of China project  The Mechanism of HDAC6 Activating HMGB1 RAGE Signaling Axis to Mediate Cognitive Defects in Type 2 Diabetic Mice (Approval No. 81571055), recover the allocated funds, cancel Zheng Yuanlin will be eligible to apply for the National Natural Science Foundation of China for 5 years (January 18, 2022 to January 17, 2027), and will give Zheng Yuanlin a notice of criticism; it is decided to refer to the  National Natural Science Foundation of China Supervision Committee on misconduct in the work of the National Natural Science Foundation of China. Items 3 and 4 of Article 17 of the Measures (for Trial Implementation), the Army s National Natural Science Foundation of China project application qualification will be cancelled for 5 years (January 18, 2022 to January 17, 2027), and the Army will be criticized in a circular. - National Natural Science Foundation of China - March 30, 2022 ,