Frontiers in Medicine retracted a 2020 stem-cell exosome study after concerns surfaced about image integrity and missing raw data. The retracted work claimed bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomal miR-25 promoted fracture healing in mice through a Runx2–SMURF1 mechanism. In the retraction notice dated 30 October 2026, editors said they no longer have confidence in the reported findings because the authors could not provide underlying raw data or an explanation that satisfied the journal’s investigation process. For the cell therapy and exosome research community, the practical impact is a renewed focus on figure integrity, data transparency, and replication—especially in mechanism-driven preclinical claims where images can underpin pathway interpretations.