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Lee CJM, Autio MI, Zheng W, Song Y, Wang SC, Wong DCP, Xiao J, Zhu Y, Yusoff P, Yei X, Chock WK, Low BC, Sudol M, Foo RSY. Genome-Wide CRISPR Screen Identifies an NF2-Adherens Junction Mechanistic Dependency for Cardiac Lineage. Circulation 2024; 149:1960-1979. [PMID: 38752370 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.122.061335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cardiomyocyte differentiation involves a stepwise clearance of repressors and fate-restricting regulators through the modulation of BMP (bone morphogenic protein)/Wnt-signaling pathways. However, the mechanisms and how regulatory roadblocks are removed with specific developmental signaling pathways remain unclear. METHODS We conducted a genome-wide CRISPR screen to uncover essential regulators of cardiomyocyte specification in human embryonic stem cells using a myosin heavy chain 6 (MYH6)-GFP (green fluorescence protein) reporter system. After an independent secondary single guide ribonucleic acid validation of 25 candidates, we identified NF2 (neurofibromin 2), a moesin-ezrin-radixin like (MERLIN) tumor suppressor, as an upstream driver of early cardiomyocyte lineage specification. Independent monoclonal NF2 knockouts were generated using CRISPR-Cas9, and cell states were inferred through bulk RNA sequencing and protein expression analysis across differentiation time points. Terminal lineage differentiation was assessed by using an in vitro 2-dimensional-micropatterned gastruloid model, trilineage differentiation, and cardiomyocyte differentiation. Protein interaction and post-translation modification of NF2 with its interacting partners were assessed using site-directed mutagenesis, coimmunoprecipitation, and proximity ligation assays. RESULTS Transcriptional regulation and trajectory inference from NF2-null cells reveal the loss of cardiomyocyte identity and the acquisition of nonmesodermal identity. Sustained elevation of early mesoderm lineage repressor SOX2 and upregulation of late anticardiac regulators CDX2 and MSX1 in NF2 knockout cells reflect a necessary role for NF2 in removing regulatory roadblocks. Furthermore, we found that NF2 and AMOT (angiomotin) cooperatively bind to YAP (yes-associated protein) during mesendoderm formation, thereby preventing YAP activation, independent of canonical MST (mammalian sterile 20-like serine-threonine protein kinase)-LATS (large tumor suppressor serine-threonine protein kinase) signaling. Mechanistically, cardiomyocyte lineage identity was rescued by wild-type and NF2 serine-518 phosphomutants, but not NF2 FERM (ezrin-radixin-meosin homology protein) domain blue-box mutants, demonstrating that the critical FERM domain-dependent formation of the AMOT-NF2-YAP scaffold complex at the adherens junction is required for early cardiomyocyte lineage differentiation. CONCLUSIONS These results provide mechanistic insight into the essential role of NF2 during early epithelial-mesenchymal transition by sequestering the repressive effect of YAP and relieving regulatory roadblocks en route to cardiomyocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Jie Mick Lee
- Cardiovascular Metabolic Disease Translational Research Programme, National University Health System, Centre for Translational Medicine, Singapore (C.J.M.L., W.H.Z., Y.Z., P.Y., X.Y., R.S.-Y.F.)
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Singapore (C.J.M.L., Y.Z., R.S.-Y.F.)
| | | | - Wenhao Zheng
- Cardiovascular Metabolic Disease Translational Research Programme, National University Health System, Centre for Translational Medicine, Singapore (C.J.M.L., W.H.Z., Y.Z., P.Y., X.Y., R.S.-Y.F.)
| | - Yoohyun Song
- Mechanobiology Institute Singapore (Y.S., S.C.W., D.C.P.W., J.X., B.C.L.), National University of Singapore
- Institute of Bioengineering and Bioimaging, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore (Y.S., S.C.W.)
| | - Shyi Chyi Wang
- Mechanobiology Institute Singapore (Y.S., S.C.W., D.C.P.W., J.X., B.C.L.), National University of Singapore
- Institute of Bioengineering and Bioimaging, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore (Y.S., S.C.W.)
| | - Darren Chen Pei Wong
- Mechanobiology Institute Singapore (Y.S., S.C.W., D.C.P.W., J.X., B.C.L.), National University of Singapore
- Department of Biological Sciences (D.C.P.W., B.C.L.), National University of Singapore
| | - Jingwei Xiao
- Mechanobiology Institute Singapore (Y.S., S.C.W., D.C.P.W., J.X., B.C.L.), National University of Singapore
| | - Yike Zhu
- Cardiovascular Metabolic Disease Translational Research Programme, National University Health System, Centre for Translational Medicine, Singapore (C.J.M.L., W.H.Z., Y.Z., P.Y., X.Y., R.S.-Y.F.)
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Singapore (C.J.M.L., Y.Z., R.S.-Y.F.)
| | - Permeen Yusoff
- Cardiovascular Metabolic Disease Translational Research Programme, National University Health System, Centre for Translational Medicine, Singapore (C.J.M.L., W.H.Z., Y.Z., P.Y., X.Y., R.S.-Y.F.)
| | - Xi Yei
- Cardiovascular Metabolic Disease Translational Research Programme, National University Health System, Centre for Translational Medicine, Singapore (C.J.M.L., W.H.Z., Y.Z., P.Y., X.Y., R.S.-Y.F.)
| | | | - Boon Chuan Low
- Mechanobiology Institute Singapore (Y.S., S.C.W., D.C.P.W., J.X., B.C.L.), National University of Singapore
- Department of Biological Sciences (D.C.P.W., B.C.L.), National University of Singapore
- University Scholars Programme (B.C.L.), National University of Singapore
| | - Marius Sudol
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York (M.S.)
| | - Roger S-Y Foo
- Cardiovascular Metabolic Disease Translational Research Programme, National University Health System, Centre for Translational Medicine, Singapore (C.J.M.L., W.H.Z., Y.Z., P.Y., X.Y., R.S.-Y.F.)
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Singapore (C.J.M.L., Y.Z., R.S.-Y.F.)
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2
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He C, Hua G, Liu Y, Li S. Unveiling the hidden role of the interaction between CD36 and FcγRIIb: implications for autoimmune disorders. Cell Mol Biol Lett 2024; 29:76. [PMID: 38762740 PMCID: PMC11102138 DOI: 10.1186/s11658-024-00593-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The role of the scavenger receptor CD36 in cell metabolism and the immune response has been investigated mainly in macrophages, dendritic cells, and T cells. However, its involvement in B cells has not been comprehensively examined. METHODS To investigate the function of CD36 in B cells, we exposed Cd36fl/flMB1cre mice, which lack CD36 specifically in B cells, to apoptotic cells to trigger an autoimmune response. To validate the proteins that interact with CD36 in primary B cells, we conducted mass spectrometry analysis following anti-CD36 immunoprecipitation. Immunofluorescence and co-immunoprecipitation were used to confirm the protein interactions. RESULTS The data revealed that mice lacking CD36 in B cells exhibited a reduction in germinal center B cells and anti-DNA antibodies in vivo. Mass spectrometry analysis identified 30 potential candidates that potentially interact with CD36. Furthermore, the interaction between CD36 and the inhibitory Fc receptor FcγRIIb was first discovered by mass spectrometry and confirmed through immunofluorescence and co-immunoprecipitation techniques. Finally, deletion of FcγRIIb in mice led to decreased expression of CD36 in marginal zone B cells, germinal center B cells, and plasma cells. CONCLUSIONS Our data indicate that CD36 in B cells is a critical regulator of autoimmunity. The interaction of CD36-FcγRIIb has the potential to serve as a therapeutic target for the treatment of autoimmune disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenfei He
- Center for Research in Animal Genomics, Agricultural Genome Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China.
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Guoying Hua
- Center for Research in Animal Genomics, Agricultural Genome Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yong Liu
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Solna Campus, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Shuijie Li
- State Key Laboratory of Frigid Zone Cardiovascular Diseases (SKLFZCD), Department of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.
- Heilongjiang Province Key Laboratory of Research On Molecular Targeted Anti-Tumor Drugs, Harbin, China.
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3
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Balmas E, Sozza F, Bottini S, Ratto ML, Savorè G, Becca S, Snijders KE, Bertero A. Manipulating and studying gene function in human pluripotent stem cell models. FEBS Lett 2023; 597:2250-2287. [PMID: 37519013 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) are uniquely suited to study human development and disease and promise to revolutionize regenerative medicine. These applications rely on robust methods to manipulate gene function in hPSC models. This comprehensive review aims to both empower scientists approaching the field and update experienced stem cell biologists. We begin by highlighting challenges with manipulating gene expression in hPSCs and their differentiated derivatives, and relevant solutions (transfection, transduction, transposition, and genomic safe harbor editing). We then outline how to perform robust constitutive or inducible loss-, gain-, and change-of-function experiments in hPSCs models, both using historical methods (RNA interference, transgenesis, and homologous recombination) and modern programmable nucleases (particularly CRISPR/Cas9 and its derivatives, i.e., CRISPR interference, activation, base editing, and prime editing). We further describe extension of these approaches for arrayed or pooled functional studies, including emerging single-cell genomic methods, and the related design and analytical bioinformatic tools. Finally, we suggest some directions for future advancements in all of these areas. Mastering the combination of these transformative technologies will empower unprecedented advances in human biology and medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Balmas
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Federica Sozza
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Sveva Bottini
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Maria Luisa Ratto
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Giulia Savorè
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Silvia Becca
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Kirsten Esmee Snijders
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Alessandro Bertero
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Torino, Italy
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4
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Li K, Ouyang M, Zhan J, Tian R. CRISPR-based functional genomics screening in human-pluripotent-stem-cell-derived cell types. CELL GENOMICS 2023; 3:100300. [PMID: 37228745 PMCID: PMC10203043 DOI: 10.1016/j.xgen.2023.100300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
While our knowledge of gene expression in different human cell types is rapidly expanding with advances in transcriptomic profiling technologies, the next challenge is to understand gene function in each cell type. CRISPR-Cas9-based functional genomics screening offers a powerful approach to determine gene function in a high-throughput manner. With the maturation of stem cell technology, a variety of human cell types can be derived from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs). Recently, the integration of CRISPR screening with hPSC differentiation technologies opens up unprecedented opportunities to systematically examine gene function in different human cell types and identify mechanisms and therapeutic targets for human diseases. This review highlights recent progress in the development and applications of CRISPR-Cas9-based functional genomics screening in hPSC-derived cell types, discusses current challenges and limitations, and outlines future directions for this emerging field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Li
- Department of Medical Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province 518055, China
- Key University Laboratory of Metabolism and Health of Guangdong, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province 518055, China
| | - Miao Ouyang
- Department of Medical Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province 518055, China
- Key University Laboratory of Metabolism and Health of Guangdong, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province 518055, China
| | - Jiangshan Zhan
- Department of Medical Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province 518055, China
- Key University Laboratory of Metabolism and Health of Guangdong, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province 518055, China
| | - Ruilin Tian
- Department of Medical Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province 518055, China
- Key University Laboratory of Metabolism and Health of Guangdong, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province 518055, China
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5
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Armendariz DA, Goetsch SC, Sundarrajan A, Sivakumar S, Wang Y, Xie S, Munshi NV, Hon GC. CHD-associated enhancers shape human cardiomyocyte lineage commitment. eLife 2023; 12:e86206. [PMID: 37096669 PMCID: PMC10156167 DOI: 10.7554/elife.86206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Enhancers orchestrate gene expression programs that drive multicellular development and lineage commitment. Thus, genetic variants at enhancers are thought to contribute to developmental diseases by altering cell fate commitment. However, while many variant-containing enhancers have been identified, studies to endogenously test the impact of these enhancers on lineage commitment have been lacking. We perform a single-cell CRISPRi screen to assess the endogenous roles of 25 enhancers and putative cardiac target genes implicated in genetic studies of congenital heart defects (CHDs). We identify 16 enhancers whose repression leads to deficient differentiation of human cardiomyocytes (CMs). A focused CRISPRi validation screen shows that repression of TBX5 enhancers delays the transcriptional switch from mid- to late-stage CM states. Endogenous genetic deletions of two TBX5 enhancers phenocopy epigenetic perturbations. Together, these results identify critical enhancers of cardiac development and suggest that misregulation of these enhancers could contribute to cardiac defects in human patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel A Armendariz
- Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasUnited States
| | - Sean C Goetsch
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasUnited States
| | - Anjana Sundarrajan
- Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasUnited States
| | - Sushama Sivakumar
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasUnited States
| | - Yihan Wang
- Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasUnited States
| | - Shiqi Xie
- Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasUnited States
| | - Nikhil V Munshi
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasUnited States
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Molecular Biology, McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasUnited States
- Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasUnited States
| | - Gary C Hon
- Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasUnited States
- Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasUnited States
- Lyda Hill Department of Bioinformatics, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasUnited States
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6
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Shan H, Fei T. CRISPR screening in cardiovascular research. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1175849. [PMID: 37123412 PMCID: PMC10130668 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1175849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The recent advent and widespread application of CRISPR-based genome editing tools have revolutionized biomedical research and beyond. Taking advantage of high perturbation efficiency and scalability, CRISPR screening has been regarded as one of the most powerful technologies in functional genomics which allows investigation of different genetic subjects at a large scale in parallel. Significant progress has been made using various CRISPR screening tools especially in cancer research, however, fewer attempts and less success are reported in other contexts. In this mini-review, we discuss how CRISPR screening has been implemented in studies on cardiovascular research and related metabolic disorders, highlight the scientific progress utilizing CRISPR screening, and further envision how to fully unleash the power of this technique to expedite scientific discoveries in these fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haihuan Shan
- National Frontiers Science Center for Industrial Intelligence and Systems Optimization, Key Laboratory of Bioresource Research and Development of Liaoning Province, College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Data Analytics and Optimization for Smart Industry (Northeastern University), Ministry of Education, Shenyang, China
| | - Teng Fei
- National Frontiers Science Center for Industrial Intelligence and Systems Optimization, Key Laboratory of Bioresource Research and Development of Liaoning Province, College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Data Analytics and Optimization for Smart Industry (Northeastern University), Ministry of Education, Shenyang, China
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7
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Balatskyi VV, Sowka A, Dobrzyn P, Piven OO. WNT/β-catenin pathway is a key regulator of cardiac function and energetic metabolism. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2023; 237:e13912. [PMID: 36599355 DOI: 10.1111/apha.13912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The WNT/β-catenin pathway is a master regulator of cardiac development and growth, and its activity is low in healthy adult hearts. However, even this low activity is essential for maintaining normal heart function. Acute activation of the WNT/β-catenin signaling cascade is considered to be cardioprotective after infarction through the upregulation of prosurvival genes and reprogramming of metabolism. Chronically high WNT/β-catenin pathway activity causes profibrotic and hypertrophic effects in the adult heart. New data suggest more complex functions of β-catenin in metabolic maturation of the perinatal heart, establishing an adult pattern of glucose and fatty acid utilization. Additionally, low basal activity of the WNT/β-catenin cascade maintains oxidative metabolism in the adult heart, and this pathway is reactivated by physiological or pathological stimuli to meet the higher energy needs of the heart. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge of the organization of canonical WNT signaling and its function in cardiogenesis, heart maturation, adult heart function, and remodeling. We also discuss the role of the WNT/β-catenin pathway in cardiac glucose, lipid metabolism, and mitochondrial physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Volodymyr V Balatskyi
- Laboratory of Molecular Medical Biochemistry, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Adrian Sowka
- Laboratory of Molecular Medical Biochemistry, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Pawel Dobrzyn
- Laboratory of Molecular Medical Biochemistry, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Oksana O Piven
- Laboratory of Molecular Medical Biochemistry, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
- Department of Human Genetics, Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
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8
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Haideri T, Howells A, Jiang Y, Yang J, Bao X, Lian XL. Robust genome editing via modRNA-based Cas9 or base editor in human pluripotent stem cells. CELL REPORTS METHODS 2022; 2:100290. [PMID: 36160051 PMCID: PMC9499999 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmeth.2022.100290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 07/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
CRISPR systems have revolutionized biomedical research because they offer an unprecedented opportunity for genome editing. However, a bottleneck of applying CRISPR systems in human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) is how to deliver CRISPR effectors easily and efficiently. Here, we developed modified mRNA (modRNA)-based CRIPSR systems that utilized Cas9 and p53DD or a base editor (ABE8e) modRNA for the purposes of knocking out genes in hPSCs via simple lipid-based transfection. ABE8e modRNA was employed to disrupt the splice donor site, resulting in defective splicing of the target transcript and ultimately leading to gene knockout. Using our modRNA CRISPR systems, we achieved 73.3% ± 11.2% and 69.6 ± 3.8% knockout efficiency with Cas9 plus p53DD modRNA and ABE8e modRNA, respectively, which was significantly higher than the plasmid-based systems. In summary, we demonstrate that our non-integrating modRNA-based CRISPR methods hold great promise as more efficient and accessible techniques for genome editing of hPSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tahir Haideri
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Alessandro Howells
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Yuqian Jiang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Jian Yang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Xiaoping Bao
- Davidson School of Chemical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Xiaojun Lance Lian
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
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9
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Destici E, Zhu F, Tran S, Preissl S, Farah EN, Zhang Y, Hou X, Poirion OB, Lee AY, Grinstein JD, Bloomekatz J, Kim HS, Hu R, Evans SM, Ren B, Benner C, Chi NC. Human-gained heart enhancers are associated with species-specific cardiac attributes. NATURE CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH 2022; 1:830-843. [PMID: 36817700 PMCID: PMC9937543 DOI: 10.1038/s44161-022-00124-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The heart, a vital organ which is first to develop, has adapted its size, structure and function in order to accommodate the circulatory demands for a broad range of animals. Although heart development is controlled by a relatively conserved network of transcriptional/chromatin regulators, how the human heart has evolved species-specific features to maintain adequate cardiac output and function remains to be defined. Here, we show through comparative epigenomic analysis the identification of enhancers and promoters that have gained activity in humans during cardiogenesis. These cis-regulatory elements (CREs) are associated with genes involved in heart development and function, and may account for species-specific differences between human and mouse hearts. Supporting these findings, genetic variants that are associated with human cardiac phenotypic/disease traits, particularly those differing between human and mouse, are enriched in human-gained CREs. During early stages of human cardiogenesis, these CREs are also gained within genomic loci of transcriptional regulators, potentially expanding their role in human heart development. In particular, we discovered that gained enhancers in the locus of the early human developmental regulator ZIC3 are selectively accessible within a subpopulation of mesoderm cells which exhibits cardiogenic potential, thus possibly extending the function of ZIC3 beyond its conserved left-right asymmetry role. Genetic deletion of these enhancers identified a human gained enhancer that was required for not only ZIC3 and early cardiac gene expression at the mesoderm stage but also cardiomyocyte differentiation. Overall, our results illuminate how human gained CREs may contribute to human-specific cardiac attributes, and provide insight into how transcriptional regulators may gain cardiac developmental roles through the evolutionary acquisition of enhancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugin Destici
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Fugui Zhu
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Shaina Tran
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Sebastian Preissl
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Center for Epigenomics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Elie N. Farah
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Yanxiao Zhang
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Xiameng Hou
- Center for Epigenomics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Olivier B. Poirion
- Center for Epigenomics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Ah Young Lee
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Jonathan D. Grinstein
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | | | - Hong Sook Kim
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Robert Hu
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Sylvia M. Evans
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Bing Ren
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Center for Epigenomics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Institute of Genomic Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Moores Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Chris Benner
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Neil C. Chi
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Institute of Genomic Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
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10
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Nishiga M, Liu C, Qi LS, Wu JC. The use of new CRISPR tools in cardiovascular research and medicine. Nat Rev Cardiol 2022; 19:505-521. [PMID: 35145236 PMCID: PMC10283450 DOI: 10.1038/s41569-021-00669-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Many novel CRISPR-based genome-editing tools, with a wide variety of applications, have been developed in the past few years. The original CRISPR-Cas9 system was developed as a tool to alter genomic sequences in living organisms in a simple way. However, the functions of new CRISPR tools are not limited to conventional genome editing mediated by non-homologous end-joining or homology-directed repair but expand into gene-expression control, epigenome editing, single-nucleotide editing, RNA editing and live-cell imaging. Furthermore, genetic perturbation screening by multiplexing guide RNAs is gaining popularity as a method to identify causative genes and pathways in an unbiased manner. New CRISPR tools can also be applied to ex vivo or in vivo therapeutic genome editing for the treatment of conditions such as hyperlipidaemia. In this Review, we first provide an overview of the diverse new CRISPR tools that have been developed to date. Second, we summarize how these new CRISPR tools are being used to study biological processes and disease mechanisms in cardiovascular research and medicine. Finally, we discuss the prospect of therapeutic genome editing by CRISPR tools to cure genetic cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masataka Nishiga
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
| | - Chun Liu
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Lei S Qi
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Chemical & Systems Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- ChEM-H Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Joseph C Wu
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
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11
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Mesp1 controls the chromatin and enhancer landscapes essential for spatiotemporal patterning of early cardiovascular progenitors. Nat Cell Biol 2022; 24:1114-1128. [PMID: 35817961 PMCID: PMC7613098 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-022-00947-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The mammalian heart arises from various populations of Mesp1-expressing cardiovascular progenitors (CPs) that are specified during the early stages of gastrulation. Mesp1 is a transcription factor that acts as a master regulator of CP specification and differentiation. However, how Mesp1 regulates the chromatin landscape of nascent mesodermal cells to define the temporal and spatial patterning of the distinct populations of CPs remains unknown. Here, by combining ChIP-seq, RNA-seq and ATAC-seq during mouse pluripotent stem cell differentiation, we defined the dynamic remodelling of the chromatin landscape mediated by Mesp1. We identified different enhancers that are temporally regulated to erase the pluripotent state and specify the pools of CPs that mediate heart development. We identified Zic2 and Zic3 as essential cofactors that act with Mesp1 to regulate its transcription-factor activity at key mesodermal enhancers, thereby regulating the chromatin remodelling and gene expression associated with the specification of the different populations of CPs in vivo. Our study identifies the dynamics of the chromatin landscape and enhancer remodelling associated with temporal patterning of early mesodermal cells into the distinct populations of CPs that mediate heart development.
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12
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Stutt N, Song M, Wilson MD, Scott IC. Cardiac specification during gastrulation - The Yellow Brick Road leading to Tinman. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2021; 127:46-58. [PMID: 34865988 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2021.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The question of how the heart develops, and the genetic networks governing this process have become intense areas of research over the past several decades. This research is propelled by classical developmental studies and potential clinical applications to understand and treat congenital conditions in which cardiac development is disrupted. Discovery of the tinman gene in Drosophila, and examination of its vertebrate homolog Nkx2.5, along with other core cardiac transcription factors has revealed how cardiac progenitor differentiation and maturation drives heart development. Careful observation of cardiac morphogenesis along with lineage tracing approaches indicated that cardiac progenitors can be divided into two broad classes of cells, namely the first and second heart fields, that contribute to the heart in two distinct waves of differentiation. Ample evidence suggests that the fate of individual cardiac progenitors is restricted to distinct cardiac structures quite early in development, well before the expression of canonical cardiac progenitor markers like Nkx2.5. Here we review the initial specification of cardiac progenitors, discuss evidence for the early patterning of cardiac progenitors during gastrulation, and consider how early gene expression programs and epigenetic patterns can direct their development. A complete understanding of when and how the developmental potential of cardiac progenitors is determined, and their potential plasticity, is of great interest developmentally and also has important implications for both the study of congenital heart disease and therapeutic approaches based on cardiac stem cell programming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Stutt
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G0A4, Canada; Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S1A8, Canada
| | - Mengyi Song
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G0A4, Canada; Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G0A4, Canada; Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S1A8, Canada
| | - Michael D Wilson
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G0A4, Canada; Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S1A8, Canada
| | - Ian C Scott
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G0A4, Canada; Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S1A8, Canada.
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13
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Sapp V, Aguirre A, Mainkar G, Ding J, Adler E, Liao R, Sharma S, Jain M. Genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 screening in human iPS derived cardiomyocytes uncovers novel mediators of doxorubicin cardiotoxicity. Sci Rep 2021; 11:13866. [PMID: 34230586 PMCID: PMC8260754 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-92988-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell technologies coupled with genetic engineering now facilitate the study of the molecular underpinnings of disease in relevant human cell types. Application of CRISPR/Cas9-based approaches for genome-scale functional screening in iPS-derived cells, however, has been limited by technical constraints, including inefficient transduction in pooled format, loss of library representation, and poor cellular differentiation. Herein, we present optimized approaches for whole-genome CRISPR/Cas9 based screening in human iPS derived cardiomyocytes with near genome-wide representation at both the iPS and differentiated cell stages. As proof-of-concept, we perform a screen to investigate mechanisms underlying doxorubicin mediated cell death in iPS derived cardiomyocytes. We identified two poorly characterized, human-specific transporters (SLCO1A2, SLCO1B3) whose loss of function protects against doxorubicin-cardiotoxicity, but does not affect cell death in cancer cells. This study provides a technical framework for genome-wide functional screening in iPS derived cells and identifies new targets to mitigate doxorubicin-cardiotoxicity in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerie Sapp
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Aitor Aguirre
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
- Division of Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Gayatri Mainkar
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Jeffrey Ding
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Eric Adler
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Ronglih Liao
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, USA
| | - Sonia Sharma
- La Jolla Institute for Immunology, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Mohit Jain
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA.
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14
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Akinci E, Hamilton MC, Khowpinitchai B, Sherwood RI. Using CRISPR to understand and manipulate gene regulation. Development 2021; 148:dev182667. [PMID: 33913466 PMCID: PMC8126405 DOI: 10.1242/dev.182667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Understanding how genes are expressed in the correct cell types and at the correct level is a key goal of developmental biology research. Gene regulation has traditionally been approached largely through observational methods, whereas perturbational approaches have lacked precision. CRISPR-Cas9 has begun to transform the study of gene regulation, allowing for precise manipulation of genomic sequences, epigenetic functionalization and gene expression. CRISPR-Cas9 technology has already led to the discovery of new paradigms in gene regulation and, as new CRISPR-based tools and methods continue to be developed, promises to transform our knowledge of the gene regulatory code and our ability to manipulate cell fate. Here, we discuss the current and future application of the emerging CRISPR toolbox toward predicting gene regulatory network behavior, improving stem cell disease modeling, dissecting the epigenetic code, reprogramming cell fate and treating diseases of gene dysregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ersin Akinci
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Akdeniz University, Antalya, 07070, Turkey
| | - Marisa C. Hamilton
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Benyapa Khowpinitchai
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Richard I. Sherwood
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Hubrecht Institute, 3584 CT, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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15
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Xu J, Zhou C, Foo KS, Yang R, Xiao Y, Bylund K, Sahara M, Chien KR. Genome-wide CRISPR screen identifies ZIC2 as an essential gene that controls the cell fate of early mesodermal precursors to human heart progenitors. Stem Cells 2020; 38:741-755. [PMID: 32129551 PMCID: PMC7891398 DOI: 10.1002/stem.3168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2019] [Revised: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Cardiac progenitor formation is one of the earliest committed steps of human cardiogenesis and requires the cooperation of multiple gene sets governed by developmental signaling cascades. To determine the key regulators for cardiac progenitor formation, we have developed a two‐stage genome‐wide CRISPR‐knockout screen. We mimicked the progenitor formation process by differentiating human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) into cardiomyocytes, monitored by two distinct stage markers of early cardiac mesodermal formation and commitment to a multipotent heart progenitor cell fate: MESP1 and ISL1, respectively. From the screen output, we compiled a list of 15 candidate genes. After validating seven of them, we identified ZIC2 as an essential gene for cardiac progenitor formation. ZIC2 is known as a master regulator of neurogenesis. hPSCs with ZIC2 mutated still express pluripotency markers. However, their ability to differentiate into cardiomyocytes was greatly attenuated. RNA‐Seq profiling of the ZIC2‐mutant cells revealed that the mutants switched their cell fate alternatively to the noncardiac cell lineage. Further, single cell RNA‐seq analysis showed the ZIC2 mutants affected the apelin receptor‐related signaling pathway during mesoderm formation. Our results provide a new link between ZIC2 and human cardiogenesis and document the potential power of a genome‐wide unbiased CRISPR‐knockout screen to identify the key steps in human mesoderm precursor cell‐ and heart progenitor cell‐fate determination during in vitro hPSC cardiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiejia Xu
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Chikai Zhou
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kylie S Foo
- Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Ran Yang
- Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Yao Xiao
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kristine Bylund
- Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Makoto Sahara
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Kenneth R Chien
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
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