HBV-encoded miR-2 functions as an oncogene by downregulating TRIM35 but upregulating RAN in liver cancer cells
Authors: Yankun Liu
Shengping Li
Hong Xie
Zhenhua Sui
Min Liu
Hongxia Fan
Yi Zhang
Huijie Gao
Yadi Zhou
Lili Yao
Yanling Zhang
Hua Tang
Journal: EBioMedicine (2019)
Discipline: CLINICAL MEDICINE
Keywords: HBV; Invasion; Liver cancer; Proliferation; miRNA.
Affiliations: Tianjin Life Science Research Center, Tianjin Laboratory of Inflammation Biology, Collaborative Innovation Center of Tianjin for Medical Epigenetics, Department of Pathogen Biology, Basic Medical School, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China., The Cancer Institute, Tangshan People's Hospital, Tangshan 063001, China., Tianjin Life Science Research Center, Tianjin Laboratory of Inflammation Biology, Collaborative Innovation Center of Tianjin for Medical Epigenetics, Department of Pathogen Biology, Basic Medical School, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China. Electronic address: ., State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Department of Hepatobiliary Oncology, Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, 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Abstract:  This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal https://www.elsevier.com/about/our-business/policies/article-withdrawal This article has been retracted at the request of the editor because following publication concerns were raised by a reader with respect to images presented in multiple figures. Specifically, the reader suspected partial image duplications between the migration/pTRIM35 panel and the invasion/pcDNA3 panel in Fig. 4e, the migration/pshR-RAN panel and the migration/pcDNA3 panel in Fig. 5e, the invasion/pRAN panel in Fig. 5e and the invasion/pHBV-miR-2+pcDNA3 panel in Fig. 6e, the migration/pcDNA3+pcDNA3 panel in Fig. 6e and the migration/pcDNA3+pSilencer panel in Fig. 7e, and finally, the migration/pBHV-miR-2+pTRIM3 panel in Fig. 6e with the migration/pcDNA3+pSilencer panel in Fig. 7e. These image duplication allegations were referred to the Office of the Academic Ethics Committee at Basic Medical School, Tianjin Medical University, China, for independent investigation. The Committee received all the original data related to the paper from corresponding author and first author, and confirmed that the authors had done all experiments supporting the reported results. The independent investigation concluded the laboratory led by the corresponding author had serious problems with data management and supervision, which may have accounted for the errors in the paper. The committee did not detect deliberate fraud, but requested the corresponding author should withdraw the paper based on the nature of multiple misuses of figures. The authors subsequently requested retraction of the article. The editors no longer have confidence in the integrity of these data. All authors agree to this retraction. 

Retracted: Yes

PubPeer comments:
 Two images in figure 5E appear to overlap, but are described differently. *** Closeup ![file] *** Figure 5E showing location ![file] , 
 In addition to the possible overlap marked above with red boxes, there might be a couple of other overlapping panels in Figures 4E, 5E, 6E, 7E. Marked with boxes of the same color. ![file] , 
 #2 Given the large number of concerns, I wonder how the authors (or journal) can explain this as merely problems during figure assembly. , 
 Retracted [October 2021] . --------------------- This article has been retracted at the request of the editor because following publication concerns were raised by a reader with respect to images presented in multiple figures. Specifically, the reader suspected partial image duplications between the migration pTRIM35 panel and the invasion pcDNA3 panel in Fig. 4e, the migration pshR-RAN panel and the migration pcDNA3 panel in Fig. 5e, the invasion pRAN panel in Fig. 5e and the invasion pHBV-miR-2+pcDNA3 panel in Fig. 6e, the migration pcDNA3+pcDNA3 panel in Fig. 6e and the migration pcDNA3+pSilencer panel in Fig. 7e, and finally, the migration pBHV-miR-2+pTRIM3 panel in Fig. 6e with the migration pcDNA3+pSilencer panel in Fig. 7e. These image duplication allegations were referred to the Office of the Academic Ethics Committee at Basic Medical School, Tianjin Medical University, China, for independent investigation. The Committee received all the original data related to the paper from corresponding author and first author, and confirmed that the authors had done all experiments supporting the reported results. The independent investigation concluded the laboratory led by the corresponding author had serious problems with data management and supervision, which may have accounted for the errors in the paper. The committee did not detect deliberate fraud, but requested the corresponding author should withdraw the paper based on the nature of multiple misuses of figures. The authors subsequently requested retraction of the article. The editors no longer have confidence in the integrity of these data. All authors agree to this retraction. , 
 Assessed here, as part of the second 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. -------------------------------- **Decision on the handling of problems such as improper manipulation of images, confusion of experimental data, and false information in project applications, progress reports and final reports published by Tang Hua et al.** - National Science and Technology Financial Supervisory Office [2022] No. 2 The Supervision Committee of the National Natural Science Foundation of China launched an investigation into the papers published by Tang Hua and others of Tianjin Medical University for suspected academic misconduct. The papers involved are as follows: ... Paper 7:  Lili Yao # , Yadi Zhou # , Zhenhua Sui # , YanlingZhang, Yankun Liu, Hong Xie, Huijie Gao, Hongxia Fan, Yi Zhang, Min Liu, Shengping Li, Hua Tang*. **HBV-encoded miR-2 functions as an oncogene by downregulating TRIM35 but upregulating RAN in liver cancer cells**. EBioMedicine.2019, 48:117-129.u201d (with reference to fund numbers 81830094, 91629302, 31270818) ... According to the investigation of the supporting unit, the above paper has problems such as improper operation of pictures and confusion of experimental data. The corresponding author Tang Hua is mainly responsible for the above problems. In addition, Tang Hua has included the above papers in his 7 National Natural Science Foundation of China projects (approval numbers 30873017, 91029714, 31071191, 31270818, 81572790, 91629302, 81830094) applications, progress reports, and final reports. Responsible for the objective results of false information in the project application, progress report or final report. u3000u3000After deliberation at the 12th meeting of the Fifth Session of the Supervision Committee of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Life Medicine Professional Committee), and the approval of the 2nd 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. Item 4 of Article 4, Item 2 of Article 16 and Item 3 of Article 17 of  Measures for Handling Misconduct in Science Fund Funding Work by the Supervision Committee of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (for Trial Implementation) , revocation of Tang Hua National Natural Science Foundation of China Science Fund Projects  Research on the molecular mechanism of Hsa-miR-10a inhibiting colon cancer metastasis (Grant No. 30873017),  Research on the interaction between miRNA and TNF-u03b1-IKK-NF-u03baB signaling pathway genes in ovarian cancer cells (Approval No. 91029714),  Research on the mechanism of miR-372 regulating the cycle of cervical cancer cells (Approval No. 31071191),  Regulation of Ago2 stability by PSMC3 and its mechanism (Approval No. 31270818),  miR-372 in liver cancer cells Epigenetic regulation and functional mechanism of 615-5pu201d (Grant No. 81572790), u201cThe mechanism of inflammatory factors activating NF-u03baB STAT3 to regulate the malignant behavior of tumor cells and the formation of pre-metastatic microenvironment through epigenetic modificationu201d ( Approval No. 91629302),  Study on the role and mechanism of m6A-RNA mediated by HPVE6 E7 in cervical cancer cells mediated by METTL3 (approval No. 81830094), recover the funds allocated for the above 7 projects, cancel the Tanghua National Natural Science Foundation of China The Science Foundation project is eligible for 5 years (January 18, 2022 to January 17, 2027), and the criticism will be given to Tang Hua. - National Natural Science Foundation of China - March 30, 2022 ,