Researchers Correct Study on Inflammatory Skin Disease in Mice

Researchers from the Institute for Genetics at the University of Cologne have issued a correction to a 2002 study published in the journal Nature. The original article, titled "TNF-mediated inflammatory skin disease in mice with epidermis-specific deletion of IKK2," reported on the role of a specific enzyme, IKK2, in the development of inflammatory skin disease in mice. According to the correction, the researchers inadvertently duplicated bands in a western blot figure, which showed the presence of IKK2 in spleen extracts. The bands were mistakenly attributed to IKK1 in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). The correction notes that the original data files confirm the accuracy of the IKK2 bands in spleen extracts, but the error occurred during figure preparation. Dr. Manolis Pasparakis, a researcher at the Institute for Genetics, acknowledged the mistake and emphasized the importance of correcting the record. "We take the accuracy of our research very seriously, and we are committed to transparency and accountability," he said. "This correction is a testament to our commitment to the scientific community and to the integrity of our research." The original study investigated the role of IKK2 in the development of inflammatory skin disease in mice. IKK2 is a key component of the NF-kappa B signaling pathway, which plays a critical role in the regulation of immune responses and inflammation. The study found that mice with epidermis-specific deletion of IKK2 developed severe inflammatory skin disease, highlighting the importance of IKK2 in maintaining skin health. Dr. Pasparakis noted that the correction does not change the overall conclusions of the study, but rather clarifies the accuracy of the data. "The correction is a minor one, but it is essential to ensure the integrity of our research," he said. The correction has been published in the online version of the original article, and the supplementary information accompanying the correction provides updated data to support the findings. The researchers have also made the original raw data files available to the scientific community. The correction serves as a reminder of the importance of accuracy and transparency in scientific research. As Dr. Pasparakis noted, "We are committed to upholding the highest standards of scientific integrity, and we are proud to be part of a community that values transparency and accountability."