RE: A synthetic peptide from transforming growth factor-β1 type III receptor prevents myocardial fibrosis in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Cardiovascular Research, Volume 81, Issue 3, 15 February 2009, Pages 601–609. Javier Díez, https://doi.org/10.1093/cvr/cvn315 Free

A reader alerted the Editorial Office on the 14^th November 2019 regarding concerns about the data presented in Figures 3 and 5 of the above paper. The authors, in correspondence with the Cardiovascular Research Editorial Office, have confirmed that the samples were randomized to be run on a western blot and then the resulting blots were spliced together for the purposes of figure representation.

The matter was assessed by the ESC Journal Family Ethics Committee, and an external independent reviewer was appointed. This process led to the recommendation that the authors need to describe the sample randomisation and that an explanation for the spliced blot images should be added to the Methods section and Figure Legend. However, the authors have as yet been unable to contact the researcher responsible for this study to obtain the blots in their original format, thus we are currently unable to proceed with the corrigendum.

The Editors of Cardiovascular Research have decided to place an expression of concern related to this paper to inform readers appropriately.