Abstract
At the request of the journal Editor and Sage the following article has been retracted:
Campo GM, Avenoso A, Campo S, et al. Differential effect of molecular mass hyaluronan on lipopolysaccharide-induced damage in chondrocytes. Innate Immunity. 2010;16(1):48-63. doi:10.1177/1753425909340419
Sage was alerted to a discussion surrounding the article on PubPeer.
Following an internal investigation, several concerns have been raised about multiple images in the article:
1. Figure 7B and 8B appear to have overlapping features across bands and lanes.
2. Figure 5B: potential splicing between lanes 9 and 10, 10 and 11, 12 and 13.
3. Figure 6 B: potential splicing between lanes 4 and 5, 7 and 8.
4. Figure 7B: background irregularities that could indicate potential background correction.
5. Figure 8 B: potential splicing between lanes 7 and 8, 10 and 11.
The authors provided some images representing findings underlying these figure panels, and some data underlying the graphs. Sage and the Journal Editor assessed these materials and determined that they do not resolve the concerns raised.
Due to the nature of the original concern, lack of appropriate raw images or data to resolve the concerns raised, the Journal Editor believes there are outstanding questions about the validity of the findings and retracts this article.
The authors did not agree with the retraction.