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Amjadian T, Yaghmaei P, Nasim HR, Yari K. Impact of DNA methylation of the human mesoderm-specific transcript ( MEST) on male infertility. Heliyon 2023; 9:e21099. [PMID: 37928396 PMCID: PMC10622617 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Male infertility accounts for nearly 40%-50% of all infertile cases. One of the most prevalent disorders detected in infertile men is errors in the MEST differentially methylated region (DMR), which has been correlated with poor sperm indexes. The aim of our study was to characterize the methylation pattern of the MEST gene, along with assessing seminal factors and chromatin condensation in sperm samples from both infertile patients and fertile cases, all of whom were candidates for intracytoplasmic sperm injection. We collected forty-five semen specimens from men undergoing routine spermiogram analysis at the Infertility Treatment Center. The specimens consisted of 15 samples of normospermia as the control group, 15 individuals of asthenospermia, and 15 individuals of oligoasthenoteratospermia as the cases group. Standard semen analysis and the chromatin quality and sperm maturity tests using aniline blue staining were performed. The DNA from spermatozoa was extracted and treated with a sodium bisulfite-based procedure. The methylation measure was done quantitatively at the DMRs of the MEST gene by quantitative methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (qMSP). The mean percentages of total motility, progression, and morphology in normospermia were significantly higher than oligoasthenoteratospermia and asthenospermia, and they were substantially higher in asthenospermia compared to oligoasthenoteratospermia (P ≤ 0.05). The mean percentages of histone transition abnormality and MEST methylation in oligoasthenoteratospermia were significantly higher than asthenospermia and normospermia (P ≤ 0.05). A negative correlation existed between the histone transition abnormality and MEST methylation with sperm parameters. In conclusion, chromatin integrity, sperm maturity, and MEST methylation may be considered important predictors for addressing male factor infertility. Therefore, we suggest that male infertility may be linked to methylation of the imprinted genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tayebeh Amjadian
- Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Parichehreh Yaghmaei
- Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hayati Roodbari Nasim
- Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kheirollah Yari
- Medical Biology Research Center, Health Technology Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
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Zaletaev DV, Nemtsova MV, Strelnikov VV. Epigenetic Regulation Disturbances on Gene Expression in Imprinting Diseases. Mol Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1134/s0026893321050149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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OUP accepted manuscript. Hum Reprod Update 2022; 28:629-655. [DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmac010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Fontana L, Bedeschi MF, Maitz S, Cereda A, Faré C, Motta S, Seresini A, D'Ursi P, Orro A, Pecile V, Calvello M, Selicorni A, Lalatta F, Milani D, Sirchia SM, Miozzo M, Tabano S. Characterization of multi-locus imprinting disturbances and underlying genetic defects in patients with chromosome 11p15.5 related imprinting disorders. Epigenetics 2018; 13:897-909. [PMID: 30221575 PMCID: PMC6284780 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2018.1514230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The identification of multilocus imprinting disturbances (MLID) appears fundamental to uncover molecular pathways underlying imprinting disorders (IDs) and to complete clinical diagnosis of patients. However, MLID genetic associated mechanisms remain largely unknown. To characterize MLID in Beckwith-Wiedemann (BWS) and Silver-Russell (SRS) syndromes, we profiled by MassARRAY the methylation of 12 imprinted differentially methylated regions (iDMRs) in 21 BWS and 7 SRS patients with chromosome 11p15.5 epimutations. MLID was identified in 50% of BWS and 29% of SRS patients as a maternal hypomethylation syndrome. By next-generation sequencing, we searched for putative MLID-causative mutations in genes involved in methylation establishment/maintenance and found two novel missense mutations possibly causative of MLID: one in NLRP2, affecting ADP binding and protein activity, and one in ZFP42, likely leading to loss of DNA binding specificity. Both variants were paternally inherited. In silico protein modelling allowed to define the functional effect of these mutations. We found that MLID is very frequent in BWS/SRS. In addition, since MLID-BWS patients in our cohort show a peculiar pattern of BWS-associated clinical signs, MLID test could be important for a comprehensive clinical assessment. Finally, we highlighted the possible involvement of ZFP42 variants in MLID development and confirmed NLRP2 as causative locus in BWS-MLID.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Fontana
- a Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation , Università degli Studi di Milano , Milano , Italy
| | - M F Bedeschi
- b Clinical Genetics Unit , Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico , Milano , Italy
| | - S Maitz
- c Clinical Pediatric, Genetics Unit , MBBM Foundation, San Gerardo Monza , Monza , Italy
| | - A Cereda
- d Medical Genetics Unit , Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital , Bergamo , Italy
| | - C Faré
- e Division of Pathology , Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico , Milano , Italy
| | - S Motta
- e Division of Pathology , Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico , Milano , Italy
| | - A Seresini
- f Medical Genetics Laboratory , Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda - Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico , Milano , Italy.,g Fondazione Grigioni per il Morbo di Parkinson , Milano , Italy
| | - P D'Ursi
- h Department of Biomedical Sciences National Research Council , Institute for Biomedical Technologies , Segrate , Italy
| | - A Orro
- h Department of Biomedical Sciences National Research Council , Institute for Biomedical Technologies , Segrate , Italy
| | - V Pecile
- i Medical Genetics Division , Institute for maternal and child health IRCCS Burlo Garofolo , Trieste , Italy
| | - M Calvello
- e Division of Pathology , Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico , Milano , Italy.,j Division of Cancer Prevention and Genetics, IEO , European Institute of Oncology IRCCS , Milano , Italy
| | - A Selicorni
- k UOC Pediatria , ASST Lariana , Como , Italy
| | - F Lalatta
- b Clinical Genetics Unit , Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico , Milano , Italy
| | - D Milani
- l Pediatric Highly Intensive Care Unit , Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico , Milano , Italy
| | - S M Sirchia
- m Medical Genetics, Department of Health Sciences , Università degli Studi di Milano , Milano , Italy
| | - M Miozzo
- a Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation , Università degli Studi di Milano , Milano , Italy.,e Division of Pathology , Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico , Milano , Italy
| | - S Tabano
- a Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation , Università degli Studi di Milano , Milano , Italy
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Carrera IA, de Zaldívar MS, Martín R, Begemann M, Soellner L, Eggermann T. Microdeletions of the 7q32.2 imprinted region are associated with Silver-Russell syndrome features. Am J Med Genet A 2015; 170:743-9. [PMID: 26663145 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.37492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2015] [Accepted: 11/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The association of maternal uniparental disomy of human chromosome 7 (upd(7) mat) and the growth retardation disorder Silver-Russell syndrome (SRS) is well established, but the causative gene or region is currently unknown. However, several observations indicate that molecular alterations of the genomically imprinted MEST region in 7q32.2 are associated with growth retardation and a phenotype reminiscent to SRS. We now report on a second patient with a similar phenotype and a de novo 7q32.2 microdeletion including MEST affecting the paternal allele. This confirms the central role of imprinted genes in 7q32.2 in the etiology of a growth retardation phenotype associated with SRS features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignacio Arroyo Carrera
- Pediatric Service, San Pedro de Alcántara Hospital, Cáceres, Spain.,Center for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Rebeca Martín
- Pediatric Service, San Pedro de Alcántara Hospital, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Matthias Begemann
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Lukas Soellner
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Thomas Eggermann
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
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Abstract
There is evidence that expression and methylation of the imprinted paternally expressed gene 1/mesoderm-specific transcript homologue (PEG1/MEST) gene may be affected by assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) and infertility. In this study, we sought to assess the imprinting status of the MEST gene in a large cohort of in vitro-derived human preimplantation embryos, in order to characterise potentially adverse effects of ART and infertility on this locus in early human development. Embryonic genomic DNA from morula or blastocyst stage embryos was screened for a transcribed AflIII polymorphism in MEST and imprinting analysis was then performed in cDNA libraries derived from these embryos. In 10 heterozygous embryos, MEST expression was monoallelic in seven embryos, predominantly monoallelic in two embryos, and biallelic in one embryo. Screening of cDNA derived from 61 additional human preimplantation embryos, for which DNA for genotyping was unavailable, identified eight embryos with expression originating from both alleles (biallelic or predominantly monoallelic). In some embryos, therefore, the onset of imprinted MEST expression occurs during late preimplantation development. Variability in MEST imprinting was observed in both in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection-derived embryos. Biallelic or predominantly monoallelic MEST expression was not associated with any one cause of infertility. Characterisation of the main MEST isoforms revealed that isoform 2 was detected in early development and was itself variably imprinted between embryos. To our knowledge, this report constitutes the largest expression study to date of genomic imprinting in human preimplantation embryos and reveals that for some imprinted genes, contrasting imprinting states exist between embryos.
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MacIsaac JL, Bogutz AB, Morrissy AS, Lefebvre L. Tissue-specific alternative polyadenylation at the imprinted gene Mest regulates allelic usage at Copg2. Nucleic Acids Res 2012; 40:1523-35. [PMID: 22053079 PMCID: PMC3287194 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkr871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2011] [Revised: 09/27/2011] [Accepted: 09/29/2011] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The gene Mest (also known as Peg1) is regulated by genomic imprinting in the mouse and only the paternal allele is active for transcription. MEST is similarly imprinted in humans, where it is a candidate for the growth retardation Silver-Russell syndrome. The MEST protein belongs to an ancient family of hydrolases but its function is still unknown. It is highly conserved in vertebrates although imprinted expression is only observed in marsupials and eutherians, thus a recent evolutionary event. Here we describe the identification of new imprinted RNA products at the Mest locus, longer variants of the RNA, called MestXL, transcribed >10 kb into the downstream antisense gene Copg2. During development MestXL is produced exclusively in the developing central nervous system (CNS) by alternative polyadenylation. Copg2 is biallelically expressed in the embryo except in MestXL-expressing tissues, where we observed preferential expression from the maternal allele. To analyze the function of the MestXL transcripts in Copg2 regulation, we studied the effects of a targeted allele at Mest introducing a truncation in the mRNA. We show that both the formation of the MestXL isoforms and the allelic bias at Copg2 are lost in the CNS of mutants embryos. Our results propose a new mechanism to regulate allelic usage in the mammalian genome, via tissue-specific alternative polyadenylation and transcriptional interference in sense-antisense pairs at imprinted loci.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia L. MacIsaac
- Molecular Epigenetics Group, Life Sciences Institute, Department of Medical Genetics, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada, V6T 1Z3, and Genome Sciences Centre, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, Canada, V5Z 1L3
| | - Aaron B. Bogutz
- Molecular Epigenetics Group, Life Sciences Institute, Department of Medical Genetics, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada, V6T 1Z3, and Genome Sciences Centre, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, Canada, V5Z 1L3
| | - A. Sorana Morrissy
- Molecular Epigenetics Group, Life Sciences Institute, Department of Medical Genetics, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada, V6T 1Z3, and Genome Sciences Centre, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, Canada, V5Z 1L3
| | - Louis Lefebvre
- Molecular Epigenetics Group, Life Sciences Institute, Department of Medical Genetics, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada, V6T 1Z3, and Genome Sciences Centre, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, Canada, V5Z 1L3
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Eggermann T, Spengler S, Begemann M, Binder G, Buiting K, Albrecht B, Spranger S. Deletion of the paternal allele of the imprinted MEST/PEG1 region in a patient with Silver-Russell syndrome features. Clin Genet 2011; 81:298-300. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-0004.2011.01719.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Eggermann T, Begemann M, Binder G, Spengler S. Silver-Russell syndrome: genetic basis and molecular genetic testing. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2010; 5:19. [PMID: 20573229 PMCID: PMC2907323 DOI: 10.1186/1750-1172-5-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2009] [Accepted: 06/23/2010] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Imprinted genes with a parent-of-origin specific expression are involved in various aspects of growth that are rooted in the prenatal period. Therefore it is predictable that many of the so far known congenital imprinting disorders (IDs) are clinically characterised by growth disturbances. A noteable imprinting disorder is Silver-Russell syndrome (SRS), a congenital disease characterised by intrauterine and postnatal growth retardation, relative macrocephaly, a typical triangular face, asymmetry and further less characteristic features. However, the clinical spectrum is broad and the clinical diagnosis often subjective. Genetic and epigenetic disturbances can meanwhile be detected in approximately 50% of patients with typical SRS features. Nearly one tenth of patients carry a maternal uniparental disomy of chromosome 7 (UPD(7)mat), more than 38% show a hypomethylation in the imprinting control region 1 in 11p15. More than 1% of patients show (sub)microscopic chromosomal aberrations. Interestingly, in ~7% of 11p15 hypomethylation carriers, demethylation of other imprinted loci can be detected. Clinically, these patients do not differ from those with isolated 11p15 hypomethylation whereas the UPD(7)mat patients generally show a milder phenotype. However, an unambiguous (epi)genotype-phenotype correlation can not be delineated. We therefore suggest a diagnostic algorithm focused on the 11p15 hypomethylation, UPD(7)mat and cryptic chromosomal imbalances for patients with typical SRS phenotype, but also with milder clinical signs only reminiscent for the disease.
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Methylation analysis of 79 patients with growth restriction reveals novel patterns of methylation change at imprinted loci. Eur J Hum Genet 2010; 18:648-55. [PMID: 20104244 DOI: 10.1038/ejhg.2009.246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
This study was an investigation of 79 patients referred to the Wessex Regional Genetics Laboratory with suspected Russell-Silver Syndrome or unexplained short stature/intra uterine growth restriction, warranting genetic investigation. Methylation status was analysed at target sequences within eleven imprinted loci (PLAGL1, IGF2R, PEG10, MEST1, GRB10, KCNQ1OT1, H19, IGF2P0, DLK1, PEG3, NESPAS). Thirty seven percent (37%) (29 of 79) of samples were shown to have a methylation abnormality. The commonest finding was a loss of methylation at H19 (23 of 29), as previously reported in Russell-Silver Syndrome. In addition, four of these patients had methylation anomalies at other loci, of whom two showed hypomethylation of multiple imprinted loci, and two showed a complete gain of methylation at IGF2R. This latter finding was also present in five other patients who did not have demonstrable changes at H19. In total, 7 of 79 patients showed a gain of methylation at IGF2R and this was significantly different from a normal control population of 267 individuals (P=0.002). This study in patients with growth restriction shows the importance of widening the epigenetic investigation to include multiple imprinted loci and highlights potential involvement of the IGF2R locus.
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Horike SI, Ferreira JCP, Meguro-Horike M, Choufani S, Smith AC, Shuman C, Meschino W, Chitayat D, Zackai E, Scherer SW, Weksberg R. Screening of DNA methylation at the H19 promoter or the distal region of its ICR1 ensures efficient detection of chromosome 11p15 epimutations in Russell-Silver syndrome. Am J Med Genet A 2010; 149A:2415-23. [PMID: 19876907 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.33065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Over a 10-year period blood samples were collected from 57 individuals with growth restriction and RSS-like features. Our goal was to identify epigenetic abnormalities in this cohort, including uniparental disomy of chromosome 7 (UPD7), methylation changes at chromosome 11p15, as well as new epigenomic alterations. We evaluated the methylation status of 7 imprinting control regions on chromosomes 7, 11, 14, and 15. UPD7 and chromosome 7 structural abnormalities had been previously identified in five patients. Epigenetic alterations on chromosome 11p15 were identified in 11 patients. Of interest, in 3 of these 11 patients, the epigenetic alterations were limited to the H19 promoter and the distal region of its associated imprinting center, ICR1. In addition, in one patient, we detected methylation changes consistent with maternal UPD at all tested imprinted regions. This patient series suggests that epimutations on chromosome 11p15 can be most efficiently detected in RSS patients by screening for DNA methylation defects at the H19 promoter or the distal region of ICR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shin-Ichi Horike
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Bernier-Latmani J, Baumer A, Shaw P. No evidence for mutations of CTCFL/BORIS in Silver-Russell syndrome patients with IGF2/H19 imprinting control region 1 hypomethylation. PLoS One 2009; 4:e6631. [PMID: 19675668 PMCID: PMC2721151 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0006631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2009] [Accepted: 07/15/2009] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Silver-Russell syndrome (SRS) is a genetically and clinically heterogeneous disease. Although no protein coding gene defects have been reported in SRS patients, approximately 50% of SRS patients carry epimutations (hypomethylation) at the IGF2/H19 imprinting control region 1 (ICR1). Proper methylation at ICR1 is crucial for the imprinted expression of IGF2, a fetal growth factor. CTCFL, a testis-specific protein, has recently been proposed to play a role in the establishment of DNA methylation at the murine equivalent of ICR1. A screen was undertaken to assess whether CTCFL is mutated in SRS patients with hypomethylation, to explore a link between the observed epimutations and a genetic cause of the disease. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS DNA was obtained from 36 SRS patients with hypomethylation at ICR1. All CTCFL coding exons were sequenced and analyzed for duplications/deletions using both multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification, with a custom CTCFL probe set, and genomic qPCR. Novel SNP alleles were analyzed for potential differential splicing in vitro utilizing a splicing assay. Neither mutations of CTCFL nor duplications/deletions were observed. Five novel SNPs were identified and have been submitted to dbSNP. In silico splice prediction suggested one novel SNP, IVS2-66A>C, activated a cryptic splice site, resulting in aberrant splicing and premature termination. In vitro splicing assays did not confirm predicted aberrant splicing. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE As no mutations were detected at CTCFL in the patients examined, we conclude that genetic alterations of CTCFL are not responsible for the SRS hypomethylation. We suggest that analysis of other genes involved in the establishment of DNA methylation at imprinted genes, such as DNMT3A and DNMT3L, may provide insight into the genetic cause of hypomethylation in SRS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremiah Bernier-Latmani
- Experimental Pathology Division, Institute of Pathology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Alessandra Baumer
- Institute of Medical Genetics, University of Zürich, Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | - Phillip Shaw
- Experimental Pathology Division, Institute of Pathology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
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