Long non-coding RNA UCA1 relieves cardiomyocytes H9c2 injury aroused by oxygen-glucose deprivation via declining miR-122
Authors: Zaiwei Zhang
Zhongxing Zhou
Hu Li
Lijuan Hou
Shasha Chen
Qiaoju Li
Zhiyuan Cui
Xiaoyu Pan
Jie Ma
Journal: Artificial Cells Nanomedicine and Biotechnology (2019)
Discipline: BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
Keywords: AKT/mTOR pathway; Acute myocardial infarction; JNK/p38MAPK pathway; MicroRNA-122; cardiomyocytes
Affiliations: Department of Cardiology, Jining No.1 People’s Hospital, Shandong, Jining, China;, Department of Painless Endoscopy, Jining No.1 People’s Hospital, Shandong, Jining, China

Abstract:  Background: Many lncRNAs have been recognized as critical regulatory factors in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Herein, we further tested the influence of long non-coding RNA urothelial carcinoma associated 1 (UCA1) on cardiomyocytes injury in AMI, along with the role of microRNA-122 (miR-122) in this influence. Methods: Cardiomyocytes H9c2 was subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) stimulation. Cell viability and apoptosis were assessed. The UCA1 and miR-122 expressions were measured by qRT-PCR. Plasmids and miRNAs transfection were utilized to elevate UCA1 and miR-122 expressions. Subsequently, the influences of UCA1 and/or miR-122 overexpression on OGD-aroused H9c2 cell viability inhibition and apoptosis were probed. The AKT/mTOR and JNK/p38MAPK pathways in cells were analyzed. Results: OGD aroused H9c2 cell injury by suppressing cell viability and elevating cell apoptosis. Followed by OGD stimulation, the UCA1 expression was lowered in H9c2 cells. Overexpression of UCA1 weakened H9c2 cell injury aroused by OGD and declined miR-122 expression. Moreover, miR-122 attended to the influence of UCA1 overexpression on OGD-aroused H9c2 cell injury. Overexpression of UCA1 weakened OGD-aroused AKT/mTOR pathway inactivation and JNK/p38MAPK pathway activation by declining miR-122. Conclusion: UCA1-relieved OGD-aroused H9c2 cell injury might be achieved via declining miR-122 and then promoting AKT/mTOR pathway and suppressing JNK/p38MAPK pathway. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
 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 , 
 Expression of Concern [6 April 2021] . ----------------------------------- We, the Publisher and Editor of Artificial Cells, Nanomedicine, and Biotechnology, are issuing an Expression of Concern for the following article: Zaiwei Zhang, Hu Li, Zhiyuan Cui, Zhongxing Zhou, Shasha Chen, Jie Ma, Lijuan Hou, Xiaoyu Pan Qiaoju Li (2019) Long non-coding RNA UCA1 relieves cardiomyocytes H9c2 injury aroused by oxygen-glucose deprivation via declining miR-122. Artificial Cells, Nanomedicine, and Biotechnology, 47(1), 3492u20133499, DOI: 10.1080 21691401.2019.1652630 After publication of this article, questions about the scientific integrity of the article content were brought to the Publisher and Editoru2019s attention. We reached out to the authors requesting that they supply information that would confirm the articleu2019s integrity. The authors provided several files in response to our queries, but they were unable to provide the original data in a format which satisfies our requirements to confirm the authenticity of some types of data. In particular, they were unable to provide full western blots, where the molecular weight markers are indicated. Therefore, as we continue to work through the issues raised, we advise readers to interpret the information presented in the article with due caution. The authors have been notified about this Expression of Concern. , 
 [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. 12. The paper  Long non-coding RNA UCA1 relieves cardiomyocytes H9c2 injury aroused by oxygen-glucose deprivation via declining miR-122 published by our institute Li Qiaoju as the corresponding author, Zhang Zaiwei as the first author, and Li Hu as the co-first author. The investigation shows that there is academic misconduct of tampering with data and fabricating the research process. The relevant responsible persons are dealt with as follows: Li Qiaoju (corresponding author, combined with another paper): Cancellation of application qualifications for scientific research projects, scientific research awards, scientific and technological achievements, scientific and technological talent plans within 6 years; cancellation of 6 years as a nominee or recommender, Nominated or recommended person, evaluation expert and other qualifications; cancel the membership or membership of academic work institutions such as societies, associations, etc.; postpone promotion to higher-level professional and technical positions for 2 years; instruct to contact the magazine as soon as possible to withdraw the manuscript; warn. Zhang Zaiwei (first author, merged with the other two papers): Cancellation of application qualifications for scientific research projects, scientific research awards, scientific and technological achievements, scientific and technological talent plans within 6 years; cancellation of 6 years as a nominee or recommender, nominated or recommender, reviewer Experts and other qualifications; suspend their postgraduate enrollment qualifications for 5 years; recover the author s personal research awards and honorary titles; cancel the committee or membership qualifications of academic institutions such as societies, associations, etc.; postpone employment for 3 years Professional technical positions; party warnings. Li Hu (tied for the first author): The research integrity admonition talk; the hospital circulates criticism. Cui Zhiyuan, Zhou Zhongxing, Chen Shasha, Ma Jie, Hou Lijuan, Pan Xiaoyu (participating authors): Talks about scientific research integrity ,