Expression of Concern: DNA plasmid coding for Phlebotomus sergenti salivary protein PsSP9, a member of the SP15 family of proteins, protects against Leishmania tropica

Abstract

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Following publication and correction of this article [1, 2] concerns were raised about Fig 1. Specifically:

A corresponding author (SR) disagreed about the first and third concerns discussed above. They stated that the published data are correct for lanes 5, 6, and 10; an incorrect image was used during the preparation of lane 8; and the original blot image for lane 7 is no longer available. The PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases Editors remain concerned that lanes 4 and 7 and lanes 6 and 10 appear more similar than would be expected for independent results.

Regarding the concerns in multiple lanes containing similar repeating patterns, the responding corresponding author stated these were likely caused by indentations when the strips were handled with forceps or small debris such as dust.

The original underlying data for Fig 1 and repeat experiment data were provided (S1 File).

The experiments in Fig 1 were used to demonstrate that the plasmids used in subsequent in vivo experiments drive expression of the expected proteins in COS-7 cells. The PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases Editors consider that the raw data provided in S1 File support that His-tagged proteins of the indicated sizes were expressed from the plasmids. However, we remain concerned about the integrity of the published Fig 1 regarding additional bands evident in the raw data. Therefore, the PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases Editors issue this Expression of Concern.

Readers are advised to review the data in S1 File of this notice and interpret the article’s results accordingly.

Supporting information

S1 FileOriginal and repeat data provided in support of Fig 1.(TIF)