Retracted : Genetic deletion of GIT2 prolongs functional recovery and suppresses chondrocyte differentiation in rats with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Hui Li
Fei Wang
Qi-Yun Liu
Shi-Bing Guan
Yi Lu
Yu-Hong Liu
Journal: Journal of Cellular Biochemistry (2018)
Discipline: MOLECULAR BIOLOGY & GENETICS
Keywords: GIT2; cartilage tissues; chondrocyte differentiation; functional recovery; gene deletion
Affiliations: Department of Hand and Foot Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, P. R. China., Department of Anesthesiology Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, P. R. China., Department of Joint Surgery, The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, P. R. China., Department of Rheumatology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, P. R. China.

Abstract:  The current study was conducted for investigating the mechanism by which GIT2 gene deletion affects the functional recovery and chondrocyte differentiation in rats with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Thirty-two rats were randomly divided into normal, model, GIT2 gene knockout (GIT2-KO), and model + GIT2-KO groups. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was performed for the observation of synovial tissues. Immunohistochemistry examinations were conducted to determine type II collagen expression as well as identify chondrocyte differentiation. qRT-PCR and Western blotting techniques were adopted in order to expressions of interleukin-1β (1L-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), Aggrecan, and Sry-related HMG box 9 (Sox9). A tape measure and Vernier caliper were used to measure the degree of swelling. Compared with synovial tissues in the model group, those in the model + GIT2-KO group, were thicker and comprised of a mass of inflammatory cells (P &lt; 0.05). Compared with the model group, the type II collagen expressions of the cartilage tissues of the rats decreased in the model + GIT2-KO group (P &lt; 0.05). In terms of the degree of swelling in cartilage tissues, the model group displayed a lesser degree of swelling than in that of the model + GIT2-KO group (P &lt; 0.05). When compared with the model + GIT2-KO group, the mRNA expressions of 1L-1β, TNF-α, Aggrecan, Sox9 and the relevant protein expressions were lower in the model group (all P &lt; 0.05). GIT2 gene deletion might weaken chondrocyte differentiation in rats with RA, as a result acting to ultimately prolong the functional recovery of RA. 

Retracted: Yes

PubPeer comments:
 Figure 5  IL-1u03b2 and TNF-u03b1 protein expressions in the normal, model, GIT2-KO, and model + GIT2-KO groups detected by western blotting Note: *, A, the protein expressions of **IL-1u03b2** ... B, the protein expressions of **TNF-u03b1** ... C, the protein expressions of **Aggrecan** ... D, the protein expressions of **Sox9** in the normal, model, GIT2-KO, and model + GIT2-KO groups. IOW each panel purports to show results for one specific protein, necessarily from 6 different gels (for six days), but with a single loading control - which makes no sense. ![file] All the protein blobs (including the loading controls) appear over and over within an oeuvre, recorded in a spreadsheet: https: docs.google.com spreadsheets d 1r0MyIYpagBc58BRF9c3luWNlCX8VUvUuPyYYXzxWvgY edit?usp=sharing. They seem to come from the same restricted gamut shown in this montage: ![] , 
 Retracted [30 June 2021] . ------------------------ The above article, published online on 04 August 2017 in Wiley Online Library has been retracted by agreement between the the journal s Editor in Chief, Prof. Dr. Christian Behl, and Wiley Periodicals LLC. The authors asked to retract this manuscript as some data and experiments are flawed and validity of the overall results could not be confirmed. During an investigation based on allegations raised by a third party, several image elements of the experimental data were found to be published elsewhere in a different scientific context. The conclusions of this article are considered to be invalid. ,