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Liu Z, Gray BD, Barber C, Wan L, Furenlid LR, Liang R, Li Z, Woolfenden JM, Pak KY, Martin DR. PEGylated and Non-PEGylated TCP-1 Probes for Imaging of Colorectal Cancer. Mol Imaging Biol 2023; 25:133-143. [PMID: 34845659 PMCID: PMC9148376 DOI: 10.1007/s11307-021-01684-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Previous studies indicate that 99mTc- and fluorescent-labeled c[Cys-Thr-Pro-Ser-Pro-Phe-Ser-His-Cys]OH (TCP-1) peptides were able to detect colorectal cancer (CRC) and tumor-associated vasculature. This study was designed to characterize the targeting properties of PEGylated and non-PEGylated TCP-1 peptides for CRC imaging. PROCEDURES Cell uptake of cyanine 7 (Cy7)-labeled TCP-1 probes (Cy7-PEG4-TCP-1 and Cy7-TCP-1) was investigated in three CRC cell lines (human, HCT116 and HT29; mouse, CT26). Xenograft and orthotopic CRC tumor models with HCT116 and CT26 cells were used to characterize biodistribution and CRC tumor-targeting properties of TCP-1 fluorescence and radioligand with and without PEGylation, [99mTc]Tc-HYNIC-PEG4-TCP-1 vs. [99mTc]Tc-HYNIC-TCP-1. RESULTS Fluorescence images showed that TCP-1 probes were distributed in the cytoplasm and nucleus of CRC cells. When CT26 cells were treated with unlabeled TCP-1 peptide prior to the cell incubation with Cy7-PEG4-TCP-1, cell fluorescent signals were significantly reduced relative to the cells without blockade. Relative to Cy7-TCP-1, superior brilliance and visibility of fluorescence was observed in the tumor with Cy7-PEG4-TCP-1 and maintained up to 18 h post-injection. [99mTc]Tc-HYNIC-PEG4-TCP-1 images in xenograft and orthotopic CRC models demonstrated that TCP-1 PEGylation preserved tumor-targeting capability of TCP-1, but its distribution (%ID/g) in the liver and intestine was higher than that of [99mTc]Tc-HYNIC-TCP-1 (1.51 ± 0.29 vs 0.53 ± 0.12, P < 0.01). Better tumor visualization by [99mTc]Tc-HYNIC-TCP-1 was observed in the orthotopic CRC model due to lower intestinal radioactivity. CONCLUSIONS TCP-1-based probes undergo endocytosis and localize in the cytoplasm and nucleus of human and mouse CRC cells. Tumor detectability of fluorescent TCP-1 peptide with a PEG4 spacer is promising due to its enhanced tumor binding affinity and rapid clearance kinetics from nontumor tissues. Non-PEGylated [99mTc]Tc-HYNIC-TCP-1 exhibits lower nonspecific accumulation in the liver and gastrointestinal tract and might have better capability for detecting CRC lesions in clinical sites. TCP-1 may represent an innovative targeting molecule for detecting CRC noninvasively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhonglin Liu
- Department of Medical Imaging at College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ , USA.
- Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Brian D Gray
- Molecular Targeting Technologies, Inc., West Chester, PA, USA.
| | - Christy Barber
- Department of Medical Imaging at College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ , USA
| | - Li Wan
- Department of Medical Imaging at College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ , USA
| | - Lars R Furenlid
- Department of Medical Imaging at College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ , USA
- James C. Wyant College of Optical Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Rongguang Liang
- James C. Wyant College of Optical Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Zheng Li
- Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - James M Woolfenden
- Department of Medical Imaging at College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ , USA
| | - Koon Y Pak
- Molecular Targeting Technologies, Inc., West Chester, PA, USA
| | - Diego R Martin
- Department of Medical Imaging at College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ , USA
- Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
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El-Kadiry AEH, Beaudoin S, Plouffe S, Rafei M. Accum™ Technology: A Novel Conjugable Primer for Onco-Immunotherapy. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27123807. [PMID: 35744930 PMCID: PMC9227040 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27123807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Compromised activity is a common impediment for biologics requiring endosome trafficking into target cells. In cancer cells, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are trapped in endosomes or subsequently pumped extracellularly, leading to a reduction in intracellular accumulation. In subsets of dendritic cells (DCs), endosome-engulfed antigens face non-specific proteolysis and collateral damage to epitope immunogenicity before proteasomal processing and subsequent surface presentation. To bypass these shortcomings, we devised Accum™, a conjugable biotechnology harboring cholic acid (ChAc) and a nuclear localization signal (NLS) sequence for endosome escape and prompt nuclear targeting. Combined, these mechanisms culminate in enhanced intracellular accumulation and functionalization of coupled biologics. As proof-of-principle, we have biochemically characterized Accum, demonstrating its adaptability to ADCs or antigens in different cancer settings. Additionally, we have validated that endosome escape and nuclear routing are indispensable for effective intracellular accumulation and guaranteed target cell selectivity. Importantly, we have demonstrated that the unique mechanism of action of Accum translates into enhanced tumor cytotoxicity when coupled to ADCs, and durable therapeutic and prophylactic anti-cancer immunogenicity when coupled to tumor antigens. As more pre-clinical evidence accumulates, the adaptability, unique mechanism of action, and high therapeutic potency of Accum signal a promising transition into clinical investigations in the context of onco-immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abed El-Hakim El-Kadiry
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada;
| | - Simon Beaudoin
- Defence Therapeutics Inc., Research and Development Branch, Vancouver, BC V6C 3L6, Canada; (S.B.); (S.P.)
| | - Sebastien Plouffe
- Defence Therapeutics Inc., Research and Development Branch, Vancouver, BC V6C 3L6, Canada; (S.B.); (S.P.)
| | - Moutih Rafei
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada;
- Department of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
- Molecular Biology Program, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(514)-343-6931
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Li W, Ling L, Wang Z, Liang Y, Huang W, Nie P, Huang B. Functional domains and amino acid residues of Japanese eel IRF1, AjIRF1, regulate its nuclear import and IFN/Mx promoter activation. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2021; 116:103923. [PMID: 33186561 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2020.103923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Interferon regulatory factors (IRFs) are a family of transcriptional factors capable of regulating the expression of distinct subsets of interferon (IFN)-stimulated genes by binding to their promoters. IRF1 was the first member identified for its ability to regulate the IFNβ gene and has now been revealed to exhibit remarkable functional diversity in the regulation of different cellular responses. In the present study, the IRF1 gene was identified and characterized in Japanese eel, Anguilla japonica (AjIRF1). The open reading frame of AjIRF1 was 804 bp in length, encoding a protein of 267 amino acids (aa) that encompasses a conserved N-terminal DNA binding domain (DBD). Sequence alignment shows the presence of six highly conserved tryptophan (W) residues in the DBD of IRF1, IRF2 and IRF11, while other IRF members have only five tryptophans. Expression analysis showed that AjIRF1 was significantly upregulated in all tested organs/tissues in response to Poly I:C stimulation or Edwardsiella tarda infection. Furthermore, the functional activity of AjIRF1 was confirmed in driving the transcription of AjIFN promoters, which depends on the highly conserved residues within DBD. Subcellular distribution analysis revealed that AjIRF1 was localized exclusively in the nucleus, which is cooperatively regulated by a bipartite NLS embedded within the DBD and a monopartite NLS located immediately downstream of the DBD. Taken together, this study presents the expression profile of AjIRF1 and defines the functional motifs required for its nuclear import and its role in activating IFN promoters, thus providing helpful information for further research on the regulatory mechanisms of teleost IRF1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxing Li
- Fisheries College, Jimei University, Xiamen, 361021, China
| | - Lulu Ling
- Fisheries College, Jimei University, Xiamen, 361021, China
| | - Zhixuan Wang
- Fisheries College, Jimei University, Xiamen, 361021, China
| | - Ying Liang
- Fisheries College, Jimei University, Xiamen, 361021, China; Engineering Research Center of the Modern Technology for Eel Industry, Ministry of Education, PR China, Xiamen, 361021, China
| | - Wenshu Huang
- Fisheries College, Jimei University, Xiamen, 361021, China; Engineering Research Center of the Modern Technology for Eel Industry, Ministry of Education, PR China, Xiamen, 361021, China
| | - Pin Nie
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao, Shandong Province, 266237, China; School of Marine Science and Engineering, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, Shandong Province, 266109, China.
| | - Bei Huang
- Fisheries College, Jimei University, Xiamen, 361021, China; Engineering Research Center of the Modern Technology for Eel Industry, Ministry of Education, PR China, Xiamen, 361021, China.
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Beaudoin S, Rondeau A, Martel O, Bonin MA, van Lier JE, Leyton JV. ChAcNLS, a Novel Modification to Antibody-Conjugates Permitting Target Cell-Specific Endosomal Escape, Localization to the Nucleus, and Enhanced Total Intracellular Accumulation. Mol Pharm 2016; 13:1915-26. [PMID: 27112376 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.6b00075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
The design of antibody-conjugates (ACs) for delivering molecules for targeted applications in humans has sufficiently progressed to demonstrate clinical efficacy in certain malignancies and reduced systemic toxicity that occurs with standard nontargeted therapies. One area that can advance clinical success for ACs will be to increase their intracellular accumulation. However, entrapment and degradation in the endosomal-lysosomal pathway, on which ACs are reliant for the depositing of their molecular payload inside target cells, leads to reduced intracellular accumulation. Innovative approaches that can manipulate this pathway may provide a strategy for increasing accumulation. We hypothesized that escape from entrapment inside the endosomal-lysosomal pathway and redirected trafficking to the nucleus could be an effective approach to increase intracellular AC accumulation in target cells. Cholic acid (ChAc) was coupled to the peptide CGYGPKKKRKVGG containing the nuclear localization sequence (NLS) from SV-40 large T-antigen, which is termed ChAcNLS. ChAcNLS was conjugated to the mAb 7G3 (7G3-ChAcNLS), which has nanomolar affinity for the cell-surface leukemic antigen interleukin-3 receptor-α (IL-3Rα). Our aim was to determine whether 7G3-ChAcNLS increased intracellular accumulation while retaining nanomolar affinity and IL-3Rα-positive cell selectivity. Competition ELISA and cell treatment assays were performed. Cell fractionation, confocal microscopy, flow cytometry, and Western blot techniques were used to determine the level of antibody accumulation inside cells and in corresponding nuclei. In addition, the radioisotope copper-64 ((64)Cu) was also utilized as a surrogate molecular cargo to evaluate nuclear and intracellular accumulation by radioactivity counting. 7G3-ChAcNLS effectively escaped endosome entrapment and degradation resulting in a unique intracellular distribution pattern. mAb modification with ChAcNLS maintained 7G3 nM affinity and produced high selectivity for IL-3Rα-positive cells. In contrast, 7G3 ACs with the ability to either escape endosome entrapment or traffic to the nucleus was not superior to 7G3-ChAcNLS for increasing intracellular accumulation. Transportation of (64)Cu when complexed to 7G3-ChAcNLS also resulted in increased nuclear and intracellular radioactivity accumulation. Thus, ChAcNLS is a novel mAb functionalizing technology that demonstrates its ability to increase AC intracellular accumulation in target cells through escaping endosome entrapment coupled to nuclear trafficking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Beaudoin
- Departément de médecine nucléaire et radiobiologie, ‡Plateforme de synthèse de peptides et de sondes d'imageries, Faculté de médecine et sciences de la santé, and §Centre d'imagerie moléculaire de Sherbrooke (CIMS), Université de Sherbrooke , 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Québec J1H5N4, Canada
| | - Andreanne Rondeau
- Departément de médecine nucléaire et radiobiologie, ‡Plateforme de synthèse de peptides et de sondes d'imageries, Faculté de médecine et sciences de la santé, and §Centre d'imagerie moléculaire de Sherbrooke (CIMS), Université de Sherbrooke , 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Québec J1H5N4, Canada
| | - Olivier Martel
- Departément de médecine nucléaire et radiobiologie, ‡Plateforme de synthèse de peptides et de sondes d'imageries, Faculté de médecine et sciences de la santé, and §Centre d'imagerie moléculaire de Sherbrooke (CIMS), Université de Sherbrooke , 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Québec J1H5N4, Canada
| | - Marc-Andre Bonin
- Departément de médecine nucléaire et radiobiologie, ‡Plateforme de synthèse de peptides et de sondes d'imageries, Faculté de médecine et sciences de la santé, and §Centre d'imagerie moléculaire de Sherbrooke (CIMS), Université de Sherbrooke , 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Québec J1H5N4, Canada
| | - Johan E van Lier
- Departément de médecine nucléaire et radiobiologie, ‡Plateforme de synthèse de peptides et de sondes d'imageries, Faculté de médecine et sciences de la santé, and §Centre d'imagerie moléculaire de Sherbrooke (CIMS), Université de Sherbrooke , 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Québec J1H5N4, Canada
| | - Jeffrey V Leyton
- Departément de médecine nucléaire et radiobiologie, ‡Plateforme de synthèse de peptides et de sondes d'imageries, Faculté de médecine et sciences de la santé, and §Centre d'imagerie moléculaire de Sherbrooke (CIMS), Université de Sherbrooke , 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Québec J1H5N4, Canada
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Sturzu A, Sheikh S, Klose U, Echner H, Kalbacher H, Deeg M, Nägele T, Horger M, Schwentner C, Ernemann U, Heckl S. Potential of the gastric motility drug lorglumide in prostate cancer imaging. Eur J Pharm Sci 2011; 45:575-80. [PMID: 22226647 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2011.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2011] [Revised: 11/04/2011] [Accepted: 12/19/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The use of tissue-specific receptor ligands is a promising approach for cancer diagnostics and therapy. Lorglumide, a highly effective competitive ligand for the cholecystokinine-A receptor (CCKRA) was conjugated to a fluorescent dye and a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent to obtain a bifunctional marker for tissue with high CCKRA expression. An intermediate conjugate containing only lorglumide and a fluorescent dye was also produced. By performing CCKRA mRNA expression analysis on carcinoma cell lines we found that CCKRA is highly expressed in PC3 prostate carcinoma cells compared to U373 glioma and U2OS osteosarcoma cells. Uptake, specificity and detection sensitivity of both lorglumide conjugates was evaluated by confocal laser scanning microscopy, fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) and magnetic resonance relaxometry. While the conjugate containing only lorglumide and rhodamine isothiocyanate as fluorescent dye showed clearly higher uptake than the bifunctional conjugate in FACS analysis, both conjugates clearly showed preferential staining of the PC3 prostate carcinoma cells. Magnetic resonance relaxometry experiments with the bifunctional conjugate containing the MRI contrast agent gadolinium-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid confirmed the higher PC3-affinity of the lorglumide ligand. Confocal laser scanning microscopy images of PC3/U2OS mixed cell cultures incubated with the bifunctional conjugate also clearly showed PC3 preference and cytoplasmic dot-like staining concurring with uptake by receptor binding and subsequent receptor internalization. Considering these results, CCKRA ligands like lorglumide could play a role in the future design of prostate-cancer-specific markers.
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De M, Chou SS, Joshi HM, Dravid VP. Hybrid magnetic nanostructures (MNS) for magnetic resonance imaging applications. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2011; 63:1282-99. [PMID: 21851844 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2011.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2011] [Revised: 06/29/2011] [Accepted: 07/02/2011] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The development of MRI contrast agents has experienced its version of the gilded age over the past decade, thanks largely to the rapid advances in nanotechnology. In addition to progress in single mode contrast agents, which ushered in unprecedented R(1) or R(2) sensitivities, there has also been a boon in the development of agents covering more than one mode of detection. These include T(1)-PET, T(2)-PET T(1)-optical, T(2)-optical, T(1)-T(2) agents and many others. In this review, we describe four areas which we feel have experienced particular growth due to nanotechnology, specifically T(2) magnetic nanostructure development, T(1)/T(2)-optical dual mode agents, and most recently the T(1)-T(2) hybrid imaging systems. In each of these systems, we describe applications including in vitro, in vivo usage and assay development. In all, while the benefits and drawbacks of most MRI contrast agents depend on the application at hand, the recent development in multimodal nanohybrids may curtail the shortcomings of single mode agents in diagnostic and clinical settings by synergistically incorporating functionality. It is hoped that as nanotechnology advances over the next decade, it will produce agents with increased diagnostics and assay relevant capabilities in streamlined packages that can meaningfully improve patient care and prognostics. In this review article, we focus on T(2) materials, its surface functionalization and coupling with optical and/or T(1) agents.
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Kotková Z, Kotek J, Jirák D, Jendelová P, Herynek V, Berková Z, Hermann P, Lukeš I. Cyclodextrin-Based Bimodal Fluorescence/MRI Contrast Agents: An Efficient Approach to Cellular Imaging. Chemistry 2010; 16:10094-102. [DOI: 10.1002/chem.200903519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Sturzu A, Heckl S. The Fluorinated and Chlorinated Nuclear Localization Sequence of the SV 40 T Antigen. Chem Biol Drug Des 2009; 73:127-31. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1747-0285.2008.00736.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Sturzu A, Klose U, Echner H, Beck A, Gharabaghi A, Kalbacher H, Heckl S. Cellular uptake of cationic gadolinium-DOTA peptide conjugates with and without N-terminal myristoylation. Amino Acids 2008; 37:249-55. [PMID: 18633572 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-008-0140-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2008] [Accepted: 06/19/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Cellular and nuclear uptake of dual labelled conjugates could be of great value for chemotherapy and cancer diagnostics. Therefore we designed conjugates in which gadolinium (Gd)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid (DOTA), a contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), a fluorescence marker were coupled to membrane translocation sequences (MTS). The MTSs we employed were the third helix of the Antennapedia homeodomain, the HIV-1 Tat peptide and the N-myristoylated HIV-1 Tat peptide. We used confocal laser scanning microscopy, fluorescence activated cell sorting, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and viability tests to examine the cellular and nuclear uptake of these conjugates into U373 glioma cells, as well as their cytotoxic effects. We found that the Antennapedia conjugate was taken up by no more than 20% of the cells. The HIV-1 Tat conjugate showed even lower uptake into less than 3% of cells. Interestingly, N-myristoylation of the HIV-1 Tat conjugate drastically improved its cellular uptake. Up to 70% of cells showed cellular and nuclear uptake of the N-myristoylated HIV-1 Tat conjugate. Conjugate cytotoxicity appears to correlate with cellular uptake.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Sturzu
- Peptide Synthesis Laboratory, Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Str.4, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
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