Quercetin inhibits human microvascular endothelial cells viability, migration and tube-formation through restraining microRNA-216a
Authors: Xu Wang
Fei Xu
Haiqing Wang
Kunpeng Wang
Weiwei Qin
Ming Cui
Xia Xue
Zhenlei Xin
Journal: Journal of drug targeting (2020)
Discipline: PHARMACOLOGY & TOXICOLOGY
Keywords: JAK2/STAT3; PI3K/AKT; Peripheral arterial disease; microRNA-216a; quercetin.
Affiliations: Department of Vascular Surgery, Jining No.1 People's Hospital, Jining, China., Nursing Department, Jinxiang People's Hospital, Jining, China.

Abstract:  Background: Quercetin belongs to the flavonoids family, which has been proven to have extensive pharmacological effects. Nevertheless, the function of quercetin in peripheral arterial disease (PAD) has not yet been reported. In the research, we purposed to disclose the effectiveness of quercetin in the pathogenesis of PAD.Methods: HMEC-1 cells were cultivated in Matrigel for 24 h to observe the tube-formation. Detections of cell viability, migration and apoptosis were through implementing CCK-8, Transwell and flow cytometry methods. Western blot was utilised for measuring angiogenesis-, migration- and apoptosis-correlative factors. MiR-216a expression was examined via qRT-PCR, and its functions in HMEC-1 cells were uncovered after miR-216a mimic transfection. Assessment of JAK2/STAT3 and PI3K/AKT pathways was via implementing western blot.Results: HMEC-1 cells were spontaneously vascularised under Matrigel condition. Quercetin predominantly repressed cell viability, migration, VEGF expression and facilitated apoptosis in HMEC-1 cells. Additionally, suppression of miR-216a was discovered in HMEC-1 cells after quercetin stimulation, meanwhile miR-216a overexpression annulled the functions of quercetin in HMEC-1 cells. Besides, quercetin deactivated PI3K/AKT and JAK/STAT pathways through adjusting miR-216a.Conclusion: The above-mentioned consequences exhibited that quercetin suppressed HMEC-1 cell viability, migration and tube-formation through hindering JAK2/STAT3 and PI3K/AKT pathway via declination of miR-216a. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
 The Western blots and other figures in this paper have an interesting layout that appears to be shared with many other papers, as discussed in a January 2020 post on Leonid Schneider s blog: https: forbetterscience.com 2020 01 24 the-full-service-paper-mill-and-its-chinese-customers The list of these papers is available here: https: docs.google.com spreadsheets d 1KXqTAyl4j-jVorFPMD2XRpr76LcIKJ0CVyIvRj0exYQ edit?usp=sharing In almost all papers, Western blot panels within the same figure, and across figures and papers, appear to share the same background, while the bands are regularly spaced, all have similar rounded edges without the usual smudges and specks, and with some bands showing a recognizable  jumping sardine shape. Also in almost all papers, bar graphs show a characteristic layout with bars in solid shades of grey, and the left-most bar in black, as well as double-edged error bars. Many papers have  cell viability and  apoptotic cells graphs. To illustrate the recognizable layout of the graphs in this paper, here is Figure 2. ![file] , 
 An investigation by Jining First People s Hospital (the authors institution), released 29 December 2021, calls for retraction. Can the journal editors confirm that they received a request to depublish the paper? https: www.jnrmyy.com keyan kxyj gonggao 2021 1229 6607.html -------------------------- 9. The paper  Quercetin inhibits human microvascular endothelial cells viability, migration and tube-formation in vitro through restraining microRNA-216a published by the Committee of the Qin Committee of our hospital as the corresponding author and Wang Xu as the first author has been found to be falsified data. , fabrication of research process, academic misconduct of improper signature. Our hospital will deal with the relevant responsible persons as follows: Committee Qin (corresponding author, combined with another paper): cancel the application qualifications for scientific research projects, scientific research awards, scientific and technological achievements, and scientific and technological talent plans within 6 years; cancel 6 years as a nomination Or recommenders, nominated or recommenders, review experts and other qualifications; cancel their membership or membership in academic institutions such as societies, associations, etc.; recover the author s personal research awards and honorary titles; postpone employment for 2 years High-level professional and technical position; instructed to contact the magazine as soon as possible to withdraw the manuscript; administrative warning. Wang Xu (first author, merged 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, nominee or recommender, Review experts and other qualifications; cancel their membership or membership in academic institutions such as societies, associations, etc.; postpone employment for 2 years for higher-level professional and technical positions; warning from the party. Xu Fei (participating author, merged with another paper): Cancellation of application qualifications for scientific research projects, scientific research awards, scientific and technological achievements, scientific and technological talent plans within 5 years; cancellation of 5 years as a nominee or recommender, nominee or recommender, evaluation expert and other qualifications; cancel the membership or membership of academic institutions such as societies and associations that they have obtained; postpone employment for one year of higher-level professional and technical positions; warning from the party. Jinxiang County People s Hospital dealt with Xue Xia (participating author) as follows: criticism and education, and in-depth review. ,