Hypoxia-induced apoptosis of cardiomyocytes is restricted by ginkgolide B-downregulated microRNA-29
Authors: An Gao
Qingwen Cao
Fang Li
Yarong Liu
Junru Zhang
Dezhi Ren
Journal: Cell Cycle (2020)
Discipline: MOLECULAR BIOLOGY & GENETICS
Keywords: Ginkgolide B; hypoxic apoptosis; microRNA-29; myocardial infarction.
Affiliations: Department of Cardiology, Shaanxi Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China., Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shaanxi Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China.

Abstract:  Ginkgolide B exerts a cardioprotective function against ischemia-caused apoptosis in myocardial infarction. Here we sought out to address a functional mechanism associated with microRNA-29 (miR-29). Rat cardiomyocytes (H9c2 cells) were cultured in ginkgolide B-conditioned medium prior to hypoxic induction. To construct miR-29-overexpressed cells, miR-29 mimic was transfected into H9c2 cells. The cells were harvested for assaying survivability and apoptosis by CCK-8 and FITC-Annexin V staining methods. Western blot was applied to identify apoptotic hallmarks and signaling transducers. RT-PCR was carried out for investigating miR-29 expression. Cardiomyocytes were sensitive to hypoxic apoptosis, while ginkgolide B intensified the abilities of cardiomyocytes to resist hypoxia by increasing survivability and repressing apoptosis. Specifically, ginkgolide B repressed Bax and cleaved caspase 3 while enhanced Bcl-2. Ginkgolide B buffered the expression of miR-29 induced by hypoxia. However, ginkgolide B showed a slight role in survivability and apoptosis in the cells overexpressing miR-29. Meanwhile, ginkgolide B triggered the phosphorylation of PI3 K and AKT, as well as induced Sp1, while this beneficial role was abrogated in the cells treated by miR-29 mimic. Our results confirmed that ginkgolide B might have therapeutic significance by repressing hypoxic apoptosis. Ginkgolide B-elicited miR-29 inhibition might be the basis of this beneficial role. 

Retracted: Yes

PubPeer comments:
 The Western Blots that comprise the results are unusually similar, across bands and between WBs. They resemble some of the products of the Tadpole Papermill . Is it possible for the authors to share the original gels? ![file] , 
 Retracted [22 February 2022] . --------------------- We, the Editors and Publisher of the journal Cell Cycle, have retracted the following article: Dezhi Ren, Fang Li, An Gao, Qingwen Cao, Yarong Liu Junru Zhang (2020) u2018Hypoxia-induced apoptosis of cardiomyocytes is restricted by ginkgolide B-downregulated microRNA-29u2019 19:10, Cell Cycle, https: doi.org 10.1080 15384101.2020.1731651 Since publication, concerns have been raised about the integrity of the data in the article. When approached for an explanation, the authors checked their data and confirmed there are fundamental errors present. Therefore, they have agreed to the retraction of this article. The authors apologise for this oversight. 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. ,