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Knap B, Nieoczym D, Kundap U, Kusio-Targonska K, Kukula-Koch W, Turski WA, Gawel K. Zebrafish as a robust preclinical platform for screening plant-derived drugs with anticonvulsant properties-a review. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1221665. [PMID: 37701853 PMCID: PMC10493295 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1221665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Traditionally, selected plant sources have been explored for medicines to treat convulsions. This continues today, especially in countries with low-income rates and poor medical systems. However, in the low-income countries, plant extracts and isolated drugs are in high demand due to their good safety profiles. Preclinical studies on animal models of seizures/epilepsy have revealed the anticonvulsant and/or antiepileptogenic properties of, at least some, herb preparations or plant metabolites. Still, there is a significant number of plants known in traditional medicine that exert anticonvulsant activity but have not been evaluated on animal models. Zebrafish is recognized as a suitable in vivo model of epilepsy research and is increasingly used as a screening platform. In this review, the results of selected preclinical studies are summarized to provide credible information for the future development of effective screening methods for plant-derived antiseizure/antiepileptic therapeutics using zebrafish models. We compared zebrafish vs. rodent data to show the translational value of the former in epilepsy research. We also surveyed caveats in methodology. Finally, we proposed a pipeline for screening new anticonvulsant plant-derived drugs in zebrafish ("from tank to bedside and back again").
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Affiliation(s)
- Bartosz Knap
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Dorota Nieoczym
- Department of Animal Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Lublin, Poland
| | - Uday Kundap
- Canada East Spine Center, Saint John Regional Hospital, Horizon Health Center, Saint John, NB, Canada
| | - Kamila Kusio-Targonska
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Wirginia Kukula-Koch
- Department of Pharmacognosy with Medicinal Plants Garden, Medical University, Lublin, Poland
| | - Waldemar A. Turski
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Kinga Gawel
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
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2
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Shabanov PD, Blazhenko AA, Devyashin AS, Khokhlov PP, Lebedev AA. In search of new brain biomarkers of stress. RESEARCH RESULTS IN PHARMACOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.3897/rrpharmacology.7.63326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim: of the study was to investigate the level of ghrelin in various brain structures during a stress response in Zebrafish to a predator, to evaluate this indicator as a potential biomarker of stress, and the effect of a benzodiazepine tranquilizer (phenazepam) on stress-induced changes
Materials and methods: The object of the study was Zebrafish, or Danio rerio wild type, which was subjected to stress by exposure to a predator Hypsophrys nicaraguensis from the cichlid family. In the tail tissue, the level of cortisol was determined, in the brain – the level of total (acylated and non-acylated) ghrelin by the method of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The benzodiazepine anxiolytic phenazepam (1 mg/L), a ghrelin antagonist [D-Lys3]-GHRP-6 (0.333 mg/l) and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRF; 0.4 mg/L) were used as the pharmacological agents.
Results and discussion: Exposure to a predator, just as administering CRF, more than doubled the level of cortisol in the tail tissue. [D-Lys3]-GHRP-6 and phenazepam prevented an increase in a tissue cortisol level. Simultaneously, in the medulla oblongata and cerebellum, the phylogenetically most ancient structures, rather than in the forebrain (telencephalon) or in the midbrain (corpora bigemia), the level of ghrelin was recorded about 500 pg/g of total protein. In response to exposure to a predator, the level of ghrelin increased in the forebrain and midbrain to nanogram concentrations and moderately decreased in the cerebellum. The effect was prevented by phenazepam and [D-Lys3]-GHRP-6.
Conclusion: Increases in ghrelin in the brain in response to stressful situations can be seen as a functional brain biomarker of stress, along with increased levels of tissue cortisol levels. Both of these effects are prevented by both the ghrelin antagonist and the benzodiazepine tranquilizer. The mechanism of action of the tranquilizer is a functional antagonism between the GABAergic system of the brain and the ghrelin system.
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Gawel K, Banono NS, Michalak A, Esguerra CV. A critical review of zebrafish schizophrenia models: Time for validation? Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2019; 107:6-22. [PMID: 31381931 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Revised: 07/02/2019] [Accepted: 08/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that affects 1% of the population worldwide and is manifested as a broad spectrum of symptoms, from hallucinations to memory impairment. It is believed that genetic and/or environmental factors may contribute to the occurrence of this disease. Recently, the zebrafish has emerged as a valuable and attractive model for various neurological disorders including schizophrenia. In this review, we describe current pharmacological models of schizophrenia with special emphasis on providing insights into the pros and cons of using zebrafish as a behavioural model of this disease. Moreover, we highlight the advantages and utility of using zebrafish for elucidating the genetic mechanisms underlying this psychiatric disorder. We believe that the zebrafish has high potential also in the area of precision medicine and may complement the development of therapeutics, especially for pharmacoresistant patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinga Gawel
- Chemical Neuroscience Group, Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway, University of Oslo, Gaustadalléen 21, 0349, Oslo, Norway; Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Lublin, Jaczewskiego St. 8b, 20-090, Lublin, Poland.
| | - Nancy Saana Banono
- Chemical Neuroscience Group, Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway, University of Oslo, Gaustadalléen 21, 0349, Oslo, Norway
| | - Agnieszka Michalak
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics, Medical University of Lublin, Chodzki St. 4A, 20-093, Lublin, Poland
| | - Camila V Esguerra
- Chemical Neuroscience Group, Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway, University of Oslo, Gaustadalléen 21, 0349, Oslo, Norway; Department of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
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do Carmo Silva RX, Lima-Maximino MG, Maximino C. The aversive brain system of teleosts: Implications for neuroscience and biological psychiatry. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2018; 95:123-135. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2018] [Revised: 10/03/2018] [Accepted: 10/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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Argus: An open-source and flexible software application for automated quantification of behavior during social interaction in adult zebrafish. Behav Res Methods 2018; 51:727-746. [PMID: 30105442 DOI: 10.3758/s13428-018-1083-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Zebrafish show great potential for behavioral neuroscience. Promising lines of research, however, require the development and validation of software tools that will allow automated and cost-effective behavioral analysis. Building on our previous work with the RealFishTracker (in-house-developed tracking system), we present Argus, a data extraction and analysis tool built in the open-source R language for behavioral researchers without any expertise in R. Argus includes a new, user-friendly, and efficient graphical user interface, instead of a command-line interface, and offers simplicity and flexibility in measuring complex zebrafish behavior through customizable parameters. In this article, we compare Argus with Noldus EthoVision and Noldus The Observer, to validate this new system. All three software applications were originally designed to quantify the behavior of a single subject. We first also performed an analysis of the movement of individual fish and compared the performance of the three software applications. Next we computed and quantified the behavioral variables that characterize dyadic interactions between zebrafish. We found that Argus and EthoVision extract similar absolute values and patterns of changes in these values for several behavioral measures, including speed, freezing, erratic movement, and interindividual distance. In contrast, the manual coding of behavior in The Observer showed weaker correlations with the two tracking methods (EthoVision and Argus). Thus, Argus is a novel, cost-effective, and customizable method for the analysis of adult zebrafish behavior that may be utilized for the behavioral quantification of both single and dyadic interacting subjects, but further sophistication will be needed for the proper identification of complex motor patterns, measures that a human observers can easily detect.
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Shams S, Amlani S, Buske C, Chatterjee D, Gerlai R. Developmental social isolation affects adult behavior, social interaction, and dopamine metabolite levels in zebrafish. Dev Psychobiol 2018; 60:43-56. [PMID: 29091281 PMCID: PMC5747993 DOI: 10.1002/dev.21581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2017] [Accepted: 08/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The zebrafish is a social vertebrate and an excellent translational model for a variety of human disorders. Abnormal social behavior is a hallmark of several human brain disorders. Social behavioral problems can arise as a result of adverse early social environment. Little is known about the effects of early social isolation in adult zebrafish. We compared zebrafish that were isolated for either short (7 days) or long duration (180 days) to socially housed zebrafish, testing their behavior across ontogenesis (ages 10, 30, 60, 90, 120, 180 days), and shoal cohesion and whole-brain monoamines and their metabolites in adulthood. Long social isolation increased locomotion and decreased shoal cohesion and anxiety in the open-field in adult. Additionally, both short and long social isolation reduced dopamine metabolite levels in response to social stimuli. Thus, early social isolation has lasting effects in zebrafish, and may be employed to generate zebrafish models of human neuropsychiatric conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soaleha Shams
- Department of Cell & Systems Biology, University of Toronto
| | - Shahid Amlani
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga
| | | | - Diptendu Chatterjee
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga
| | - Robert Gerlai
- Department of Cell & Systems Biology, University of Toronto
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga
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Tran S, Facciol A, Gerlai R. The Zebrafish, a Novel Model Organism for Screening Compounds Affecting Acute and Chronic Ethanol-Induced Effects. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2016; 126:467-84. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2016.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Gerlai R. Embryonic alcohol exposure: Towards the development of a zebrafish model of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Dev Psychobiol 2015; 57:787-98. [DOI: 10.1002/dev.21318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2015] [Accepted: 04/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Robert Gerlai
- Department of Psychology; University of Toronto Mississsauga; 3359 Mississauga Road North Mississauga Ontario L5L 1C6 Canada
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von Trotha JW, Vernier P, Bally-Cuif L. Emotions and motivated behavior converge on an amygdala-like structure in the zebrafish. Eur J Neurosci 2014; 40:3302-15. [PMID: 25145867 PMCID: PMC4278443 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.12692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2014] [Revised: 07/05/2014] [Accepted: 07/11/2014] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
The brain reward circuitry plays a key role in emotional and motivational behaviors, and its dysfunction underlies neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, depression and drug addiction. Here, we characterized the neuronal activity pattern induced by acute amphetamine administration and during drug-seeking behavior in the zebrafish, and demonstrate the existence of conserved underlying brain circuitry. Combining quantitative analyses of cfos expression with neuronal subtype-specific markers at single-cell resolution, we show that acute d-amphetamine administration leads to both increased neuronal activation and the recruitment of neurons in the medial (Dm) and the lateral (Dl) domains of the adult zebrafish pallium, which contain homologous structures to the mammalian amygdala and hippocampus, respectively. Calbindin-positive and glutamatergic neurons are recruited in Dm, and glutamatergic and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABAergic) neurons in Dl. The drug-activated neurons in Dm and Dl are born at juvenile stage rather than in the embryo or during adulthood. Furthermore, the same territory in Dm is activated during both drug-seeking approach and light avoidance behavior, while these behaviors do not elicit activation in Dl. These data identify the pallial territories involved in acute psychostimulant response and reward formation in the adult zebrafish. They further suggest an evolutionarily conserved function of amygdala-like structures in positive emotions and motivated behavior in zebrafish and mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakob William von Trotha
- Institute of Neurobiology A. Fessard, Laboratory of Neurobiology and Development, CNRS UPR3294, Team Zebrafish Neurogenetics, Avenue de la Terrasse, bldg 5, F-91198, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
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Stewart AM, Kalueff AV. The behavioral effects of acute Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol and heroin (diacetylmorphine) exposure in adult zebrafish. Brain Res 2013; 1543:109-19. [PMID: 24216135 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2013.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2013] [Revised: 10/31/2013] [Accepted: 11/01/2013] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The use of psychotropic drugs in clinical and translational brain research continues to grow, and the need for novel experimental models and screens is becoming widely recognized. Mounting evidence supports the utility of zebrafish (Danio rerio) for studying various pharmacological manipulations, as an alternative model complementing the existing rodent paradigms in this field. Here, we explore the effects of acute 20-min exposure to two commonly abused psychotropic compounds, Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and heroin, on adult zebrafish behavior in the novel tank test. Overall, THC administration (30 and 50 mg/L) produces an anxiogenic-like reduction of top swimming, paralleled with a slower, continuous bottom swimming. In contrast, heroin exposure (15 and 25 mg/L) evoked a hyperlocomotor response (with rapid bouts of bottom swimming and frequent 'bouncing' motions) without altering anxiety-sensitive top/bottom endpoints. The behavioral effects of these two compounds in zebrafish seem to parallel the respective rodent and human findings. Collectively, this emphasizes the growing significance of novel emerging aquatic models in translational drug abuse research and small molecule screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Michael Stewart
- Zebrafish Neuroscience Research Consortium (ZNRC) and ZENEREI Institute, 309 Palmer Court, Slidell 70458, USA; Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, A210 Langley Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Allan V Kalueff
- Zebrafish Neuroscience Research Consortium (ZNRC) and ZENEREI Institute, 309 Palmer Court, Slidell 70458, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience Program, Tulane University Medical School, 1430 Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.
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11
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Kalueff AV, Gebhardt M, Stewart AM, Cachat JM, Brimmer M, Chawla JS, Craddock C, Kyzar EJ, Roth A, Landsman S, Gaikwad S, Robinson K, Baatrup E, Tierney K, Shamchuk A, Norton W, Miller N, Nicolson T, Braubach O, Gilman CP, Pittman J, Rosemberg DB, Gerlai R, Echevarria D, Lamb E, Neuhauss SCF, Weng W, Bally-Cuif L, Schneider H. Towards a comprehensive catalog of zebrafish behavior 1.0 and beyond. Zebrafish 2013; 10:70-86. [PMID: 23590400 DOI: 10.1089/zeb.2012.0861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 653] [Impact Index Per Article: 59.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Zebrafish (Danio rerio) are rapidly gaining popularity in translational neuroscience and behavioral research. Physiological similarity to mammals, ease of genetic manipulations, sensitivity to pharmacological and genetic factors, robust behavior, low cost, and potential for high-throughput screening contribute to the growing utility of zebrafish models in this field. Understanding zebrafish behavioral phenotypes provides important insights into neural pathways, physiological biomarkers, and genetic underpinnings of normal and pathological brain function. Novel zebrafish paradigms continue to appear with an encouraging pace, thus necessitating a consistent terminology and improved understanding of the behavioral repertoire. What can zebrafish 'do', and how does their altered brain function translate into behavioral actions? To help address these questions, we have developed a detailed catalog of zebrafish behaviors (Zebrafish Behavior Catalog, ZBC) that covers both larval and adult models. Representing a beginning of creating a more comprehensive ethogram of zebrafish behavior, this effort will improve interpretation of published findings, foster cross-species behavioral modeling, and encourage new groups to apply zebrafish neurobehavioral paradigms in their research. In addition, this glossary creates a framework for developing a zebrafish neurobehavioral ontology, ultimately to become part of a unified animal neurobehavioral ontology, which collectively will contribute to better integration of biological data within and across species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allan V Kalueff
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience Program, Tulane University Medical School, 1430 Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.
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12
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Engert F, Wilson SW. Zebrafish neurobiology: from development to circuit function and behaviour. Dev Neurobiol 2012; 72:215-7. [PMID: 22058058 DOI: 10.1002/dneu.20997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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Vernier P, Kyzar EJ, Maximino C, Tierney K, Gebhardt M, Lange M, Jesuthasan S, Stewart AM, Neuhauss SC, Robinson K, Norton W, Herculano AM, Cachat J, Tropepe V, Landsman S, Wisenden B, Bally-Cuif L, Kalueff AV. Time to recognize zebrafish ‘affective’ behavior. BEHAVIOUR 2012. [DOI: 10.1163/1568539x-00003030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Maximino C, de Oliveira DL, Broock Rosemberg D, de Jesus Oliveira Batista E, Herculano AM, Matos Oliveira KR, Benzecry R, Blaser R. A comparison of the light/dark and novel tank tests in zebrafish. BEHAVIOUR 2012. [DOI: 10.1163/1568539x-00003029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Jain RA, Wolman MA, Schmidt LA, Burgess HA, Granato M. Molecular-genetic mapping of zebrafish mutants with variable phenotypic penetrance. PLoS One 2011; 6:e26510. [PMID: 22039502 PMCID: PMC3198425 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0026510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2011] [Accepted: 09/28/2011] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Forward genetic screens in vertebrates are powerful tools to generate models relevant to human diseases, including neuropsychiatric disorders. Variability in phenotypic penetrance and expressivity is common in these disorders and behavioral mutant models, making their molecular-genetic mapping a formidable task. Using a ‘phenotyping by segregation’ strategy, we molecularly map the hypersensitive zebrafish houdini mutant despite its variable phenotypic penetrance, providing a generally applicable strategy to map zebrafish mutants with subtle phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roshan A. Jain
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Marc A. Wolman
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Lauren A. Schmidt
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Harold A. Burgess
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Michael Granato
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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