This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier policy on Article Correction, Retraction and Removal (https://www.elsevier.com/about/policies-and-standards/article-withdrawal).
This article is being retracted at the editors' request. Specifically,
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Figure 1E contains a duplicated flow cytometry plot. The plot labeled "SMMC-7721 parental 20 μM" was mistakenly replaced with an incorrect image due to folder mislabeling and human error, leading to inaccuracies in the representation of the data.
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Figure 3E contains an invasion assay image ("Huh7-Res NC shRNA") that partially overlaps with an image in Figure 2E ("Huh7 Resistant"). These images were stored in the same folder but appeared to be incorrectly assigned, resulting in potential image duplication or mislabeling.
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Figure 3F includes a clone formation assay image ("7721-Res NS shRNA") that was incorrect. The image was misidentified and was replaced with a different image from the same experiment, which does not accurately represent the labeled condition.
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Figures 4E and 4F present migration and sphere formation images that were incorrectly matched or taken from the same experiment but misrepresented the specific conditions.
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Figures 5E and S5E contain images that are either copies or misrepresentations, such as the same western blot images of P-SMAD3 being used in multiple panels. Additionally, some images representing migration and invasion assays were misplaced or duplicated.
The authors have acknowledged these errors, primarily stemming from human mistakes such as mislabeling, file management issues, and inadvertent image duplication during figure assembly. The authors agree with retraction and apologize to the community for the inconvenience caused. Given these issues, and in the interest of scientific integrity, we are retracting the publication to maintain transparency and uphold the standards of scientific accuracy. The journal apologizes that these mistakes were not detected during the submission and review process. The authors agreed with the decision to retract.