GoKawiilRetraction to: Nature https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-08248-5 Published online 20 November 2024
The Editors have retracted this article.
After publication, concerns were raised regarding the authenticity of the numerical source data for Fig. 4c,f and Extended Data Figs. 5c,f and 6c,m, which report results for the quantification of γH2AX-positive cells under different experimental conditions. These datasets show unusual similarities within and between figure panels. In addition, concerns were raised about the similarities between the 5hmC and 5fC dot blots in Fig. 3j and Extended Data Fig. 5o, and the Nucleus/Tubulin and Cytoplasm/H3 bands in Extended Data Fig. 2k. Following correspondence with the Authors, additional concerns were identified in the numerical source data for Extended Data Fig. 10b,d,h,n, which also report γH2AX quantification results and show unusual similarities within and between figures, and in the numerical source data for Extended Data Fig. 9i.
After careful consideration of the information provided by the authors and the investigation report provided by the Tongji University, the Editors determined that the explanation for the similarities found in the γH2AX quantification data was not satisfactory, that the concerns regarding the authenticity of these data are extensive and persistent, and that the independent confirmation of the paper’s conclusions, as reported to the Journal by the institution, was incomplete. The Editors, therefore, no longer have confidence in the data reported in this article.