Retraction: Casticin potentiates TRAIL-induced apoptosis of gastric cancer cells through endoplasmic reticulum stress

After this article [1] was published, concerns were raised regarding results presented in Figs 2 and 4-7.

Specifically:

• In the Fig 2H PARP panel, when contrast levels are adjusted, there appear to be regions surrounding lanes 1, 2, 4, and 5 where the background does not match the overall background of the panel.

• The following results appear similar despite representing different experimental results:

  • ◦ Fig 4A DR4 panel lane 3 and lane 4.

  • ◦ Fig 5B DR5 panel lane 3 and lane 5.

  • ◦ Fig 6A DR4 panel lanes 2-3 and lanes 4-5.

• The following panels appear similar despite representing different experimental results:

  • ◦ Fig 6C CHOP panel in [1] and Fig 4D GADD153 panel in [2].

  • ◦ Fig 6C DR4 panel in [1] and Fig 4B β-actin panel in [2].

  • ◦ Fig 7C DR5 panel in [1] and Fig 7B DR5 panel in [3], retracted in [4].

  • ◦ Fig 7C CHOP panel in [1] and Fig 7B CHOP panel in [3,4].

  • ◦ Fig 7C β–actin panel in [1] and Fig 7B β–actin panel in [3,4].

• There appear to be one or more vertical discontinuities in the following panels in [1]:

  • ◦ Fig 5B β-actin panel.

  • ◦ Fig 6A GRP78 panel.

  • ◦ Fig 6A DR4 panel.

The authors did not respond to editorial requests for a response and underlying data.

After publication of [1], the BGC-823, SGC-7901, and MGC-803 cell lines reported in [1] were identified as contaminated cell lines and are potential derivatives of HeLa [5–8].

In light of the above unresolved concerns, which undermine the reliability of the reported results and conclusions, the PLOS One Editors retract this article.

All authors either did not respond directly or could not be reached.