Figure S17 shows the biodistribution of free or encapsulated Dox in Ramos xenograft tumor-bearing mice. The ex vivo fluorescence images are arranged from left to right (Ramos xenograft tumors, liver, kidney, spleen, lung, heart, and serum in a microfuge tube), harvested from Ramos xenograft tumor-bearing mice at 24 or 72 h after tail vein i.v. injection of 3.5 mg/kg of free Dox, nontargeted Dox NPs, or SHAL-functionalized Dox NPs. The images of free Dox and SHAL-functionalized Dox NPs at 24 h are duplication of the same image.
Figure S18 shows the biodistribution of free or encapsulated Dox in Daudi xenograft tumor-bearing mice. The ex vivo fluorescence images are arranged from left to right (Daudi xenograft tumors, liver, kidney, spleen, lung, heart, and serum in a microfuge tube), harvested from Daudi xenograft tumor-bearing mice at 24 or 72 h after tail vein i.v. injection of 3.5 mg/kg of free Dox, nontargeted Dox NPs, or SHAL-functionalized Dox NPs.
Figure S19 displays the biodistribution of free or encapsulated Dox in Raji xenograft tumor-bearing mice. The ex vivo fluorescence images are arranged from left to right (Raji xenograft tumors, liver, kidney, spleen, lung, heart, and serum in a microfuge tube), harvested from Raji xenograft tumor-bearing mice at 24 or 72 h after tail vein i.v. injection of 3.5 mg/kg of free Dox, nontargeted Dox NPs, or SHAL-functionalized Dox NPs. The collection of organs and microfuge tubes in the nontargeted Dox NPs group at 72 h in Figure S18 are the same as the collection in the free Dox group at 72 h in Figure S19-image duplication.
The Office of Research Integrity at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill conducted an investigation into these issues and found that there was no intentional falsification or fabrication. However, the original image files are no longer available, and the authors could not correct the images in Figures S17–19. The authors want to inform readers about the inaccuracies of the affected ex vivo images in Figures S17, S18, and S19. Figures 6(a) and 6(b) were prepared separately and were not impacted by the image display errors in Figures S17, S18, and S19. The conclusion of the biodistribution study remains the same. The authors sincerely apologize for the unintended errors. Steps have been taken to prevent similar issues from happening in the future.