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Howley E, Davies EG, Kreins AY. Congenital Athymia: Unmet Needs and Practical Guidance. Ther Clin Risk Manag 2023; 19:239-254. [PMID: 36935770 PMCID: PMC10022451 DOI: 10.2147/tcrm.s379673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Inborn errors of thymic stromal cell development and function which are associated with congenital athymia result in life-threatening immunodeficiency with susceptibility to infections and autoimmunity. Athymic patients can be treated by thymus transplantation using cultured donor thymus tissue. Outcomes in patients treated at Duke University Medical Center and Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) over the past three decades have shown that sufficient T-cell immunity can be recovered to clear and prevent infections, but post-treatment autoimmune manifestations are relatively common. Whilst thymus transplantation offers the chance of long-term survival, significant challenges remain to optimise the outcomes for the patients. In this review, we will discuss unmet needs and offer practical guidance based on the experience of the European Thymus Transplantation programme at GOSH. Newborn screening (NBS) for severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) and routine use of next-generation sequencing (NGS) platforms have improved early recognition of congenital athymia and increasing numbers of patients are being referred for thymus transplantation. Nevertheless, there remain delays in diagnosis, in particular when the cause is genetically undefined, and treatment accessibility needs to be improved. The majority of athymic patients have syndromic features with acute and chronic complex health issues, requiring life-long multidisciplinary and multicentre collaboration to optimise their medical and social care. Comprehensive follow up after thymus transplantation including monitoring of immunological results, management of co-morbidities and patient and family quality-of-life experience, is vital to understanding long-term outcomes for this rare cohort of patients. Alongside translational research into improving strategies for thymus replacement therapy, patient-focused clinical research will facilitate the design of strategies to improve the overall care for athymic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evey Howley
- Department of Immunology and Gene Therapy, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - E Graham Davies
- Department of Immunology and Gene Therapy, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Alexandra Y Kreins
- Department of Immunology and Gene Therapy, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Infection, Immunity and Inflammation Research & Teaching Department, University College London, London, UK
- Correspondence: Alexandra Y Kreins, Email
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2
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Chitty-Lopez M, Duff C, Vaughn G, Trotter J, Monforte H, Lindsay D, Haddad E, Keller MD, Oshrine BR, Leiding JW. Case Report: Unmanipulated Matched Sibling Donor Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation In TBX1 Congenital Athymia: A Lifesaving Therapeutic Approach When Facing a Systemic Viral Infection. Front Immunol 2022; 12:721917. [PMID: 35095830 PMCID: PMC8794793 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.721917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Congenital athymia can present with severe T cell lymphopenia (TCL) in the newborn period, which can be detected by decreased T cell receptor excision circles (TRECs) on newborn screening (NBS). The most common thymic stromal defect causing selective TCL is 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS). T-box transcription factor 1 (TBX1), present on chromosome 22, is responsible for thymic epithelial development. Single variants in TBX1 causing haploinsufficiency cause a clinical syndrome that mimics 22q11.2DS. Definitive therapy for congenital athymia is allogeneic thymic transplantation. However, universal availability of such therapy is limited. We present a patient with early diagnosis of congenital athymia due to TBX1 haploinsufficiency. While evaluating for thymic transplantation, she developed Omenn Syndrome (OS) and life-threatening adenoviremia. Despite treatment with anti-virals and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), life threatening adenoviremia persisted. Given the imminent need for rapid establishment of T cell immunity and viral clearance, the patient underwent an unmanipulated matched sibling donor (MSD) hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT), ultimately achieving post-thymic donor-derived engraftment, viral clearance, and immune reconstitution. This case illustrates that because of the slower immune recovery that occurs following thymus transplantation and the restricted availability of thymus transplantation globally, clinicians may consider CTL therapy and HCT to treat congenital athymia patients with severe infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Chitty-Lopez
- Division of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Carla Duff
- Division of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Gretchen Vaughn
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy for Non-Malignant Conditions, Cancer and Blood Disorders Institute at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
| | - Jessica Trotter
- Division of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Hector Monforte
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - David Lindsay
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
- Division of Immuno-Allergy and Rheumatology, The Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sainte-Justine, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Elie Haddad
- Division of Immuno-Allergy and Rheumatology, The Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sainte-Justine, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Michael D. Keller
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Benjamin R. Oshrine
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy for Non-Malignant Conditions, Cancer and Blood Disorders Institute at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
| | - Jennifer W. Leiding
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Infectious Diseases and Immunology Division. Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, Orlando, FL, United States
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3
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Kreins AY, Maio S, Dhalla F. Inborn errors of thymic stromal cell development and function. Semin Immunopathol 2020; 43:85-100. [PMID: 33257998 PMCID: PMC7925491 DOI: 10.1007/s00281-020-00826-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
As the primary site for T cell development, the thymus is responsible for the production and selection of a functional, yet self-tolerant T cell repertoire. This critically depends on thymic stromal cells, derived from the pharyngeal apparatus during embryogenesis. Thymic epithelial cells, mesenchymal and vascular elements together form the unique and highly specialised microenvironment required to support all aspects of thymopoiesis and T cell central tolerance induction. Although rare, inborn errors of thymic stromal cells constitute a clinically important group of conditions because their immunological consequences, which include autoimmune disease and T cell immunodeficiency, can be life-threatening if unrecognised and untreated. In this review, we describe the molecular and environmental aetiologies of the thymic stromal cell defects known to cause disease in humans, placing particular emphasis on those with a propensity to cause thymic hypoplasia or aplasia and consequently severe congenital immunodeficiency. We discuss the principles underpinning their diagnosis and management, including the use of novel tools to aid in their identification and strategies for curative treatment, principally transplantation of allogeneic thymus tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Y Kreins
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK.,Department of Immunology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Stefano Maio
- Developmental Immunology, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Fatima Dhalla
- Developmental Immunology, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK. .,Department of Clinical Immunology, Oxford University Hospitals, Oxford, UK.
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4
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Transplantation of cultured postnatal allogeneic thymus has been successful for treating athymia, mostly associated with complete DiGeorge syndrome, for more than 20 years. Advances in molecular genetics provide opportunities for widening the range of athymic conditions that can be treated while advances in cell culture and organ/tissue regeneration may offer the prospect of alternative preparations of thymic tissue. There are potential broader applications of this treatment outside congenital athymia. RECENT FINDINGS At the same time as further characterization of the cultured thymus product in terms of thymic epithelial cells and lymphoid composition, preclinical studies have looked at de-novo generation of thymic epithelial cells from stem cells and explored scaffolds for delivering these as three-dimensional structures. In the era of newborn screening for T-cell lymphopaenia, a broadening range of defects leading to athymia is being recognized and new assays should allow differentiation of these from haematopoietic cell defects, pending their genetic/molecular characterization. Evidence suggests that the tolerogenic effect of transplanted thymus could be exploited to improve outcomes after solid organ transplantation. SUMMARY Thymus transplantation, the accepted standard treatment for complete DiGeorge syndrome is also appropriate for other genetic defects leading to athymia. Improved strategies for generating thymus may lead to better outcomes and broader application of this treatment.
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Hosaka S, Kobayashi C, Saito H, Imai-Saito A, Suzuki R, Iwabuchi A, Kato Y, Jimbo T, Watanabe N, Onodera M, Imadome KI, Masumoto K, Nanmoku T, Fukushima T, Kosaki K, Sumazaki R, Takada H. Establishment of immunity against Epstein-Barr virus infection in a patient with CHARGE/complete DiGeorge syndrome after peripheral blood lymphocyte transfusion. Pediatr Transplant 2019; 23:e13424. [PMID: 31033123 DOI: 10.1111/petr.13424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2018] [Revised: 01/23/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
CHARGE syndrome is a rare congenital malformation syndrome which may share symptoms with DiGeorge syndrome. Complete DiGeorge syndrome (cDGS) is a severe form of DiGeorge syndrome, characterized by a CD3+ T-cell count of <50/mm3 due to athymia, and is fatal without immunologic intervention. We performed peripheral blood lymphocyte transfusion (PBLT) from an HLA-identical sibling without pretransplant conditioning in a CHARGE/cDGS patient with a novel CHD7 splice site mutation. Cyclosporine and short-term methotrexate were used for graft versus host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis, and neither acute nor chronic GVHD was observed. After PBLT, T-cell proliferative response to phytohemagglutinin and concanavalin A recovered, and intractable diarrhea improved. EBV infection, evidenced by a gradual increase in the viral genome copy number to a maximum of 2861 copies/μgDNA on day 42 after PBLT, resolved spontaneously. HLA A2402 restricted, EBV-specific CTLs were detected from peripheral blood on day 148, and EBV seroconversion was observed on day 181. Thus, EBV-specific immunity was successfully established by PBLT. Our results indicate that PBLT is a simple and effective therapy to reconstitute immune systems in CHARGE/DiGeorge syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sho Hosaka
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Tsukuba Hospital, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Chie Kobayashi
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Tsukuba Hospital, Tsukuba, Japan.,Department of Child Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Hirota Saito
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Tsukuba Hospital, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Ayako Imai-Saito
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Tsukuba Hospital, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Ryoko Suzuki
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Tsukuba Hospital, Tsukuba, Japan.,Department of Child Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Atsushi Iwabuchi
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Tsukuba Hospital, Tsukuba, Japan.,Department of Child Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Yoshiaki Kato
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Tsukuba Hospital, Tsukuba, Japan.,Department of Child Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Takahiro Jimbo
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University of Tsukuba Hospital, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Watanabe
- Department of Immunology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masafumi Onodera
- Department of Immunology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ken-Ichi Imadome
- Department of Advanced Medicine for Infections, National Center for Child Health and Development (NCCHD), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kouji Masumoto
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University of Tsukuba Hospital, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Toru Nanmoku
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Tsukuba Hospital, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Takashi Fukushima
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Tsukuba Hospital, Tsukuba, Japan.,Department of Child Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Kenjiro Kosaki
- Center for Medical Genetics, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Japan
| | - Ryo Sumazaki
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Tsukuba Hospital, Tsukuba, Japan.,Department of Child Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Hidetoshi Takada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Tsukuba Hospital, Tsukuba, Japan.,Department of Child Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
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Toth K, Spencer JF, Ying B, Tollefson AE, Hartline CB, Richard ET, Fan J, Lyu J, Kashemirov BA, Harteg C, Reyna D, Lipka E, Prichard MN, McKenna CE, Wold WSM. USC-087 protects Syrian hamsters against lethal challenge with human species C adenoviruses. Antiviral Res 2018; 153:1-9. [PMID: 29510156 PMCID: PMC5891362 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2018.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2017] [Revised: 02/28/2018] [Accepted: 03/02/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Human adenoviruses (AdV) cause generally mild infections of the respiratory and GI tracts as well as some other tissues. However, AdV can cause serious infection in severely immunosuppressed individuals, especially pediatric patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, where mortality rates are up to 80% with disseminated disease. Despite the seriousness of AdV disease, there are no drugs approved specifically to treat AdV infections. We report here that USC-087, an N-alkyl tyrosinamide phosphonate ester prodrug of HPMPA, the adenine analog of cidofovir, is highly effective against multiple AdV types in cell culture. USC-087 is also effective against AdV-C6 in our immunosuppressed permissive Syrian hamster model. In this model, hamsters are immunosuppressed by treatment with high dose cyclophosphamide. Injection of AdV-C6 (or AdV-C5) intravenously leads to a disseminated infection that resembles the disease seen in humans, including death. We have tested the efficacy of orally-administered USC-087 against the median lethal dose of intravenously administered AdV-C6. USC-087 completely prevented or significantly decreased mortality when administered up to 4 days post challenge. USC-087 also prevented or significantly decreased liver damage caused by AdV-C6 infection, and suppressed virus replication even when administered 4 days post challenge. These results imply that USC-087 is a promising candidate for drug development against HAdV infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karoly Toth
- Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA
| | | | - Baoling Ying
- Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA
| | - Ann E Tollefson
- Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA
| | | | - Eric T Richard
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Jiajun Fan
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Jinglei Lyu
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | | | - Cheryl Harteg
- Therapeutic Systems Research Laboratories, Inc, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, USA
| | - Dawn Reyna
- Therapeutic Systems Research Laboratories, Inc, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, USA
| | - Elke Lipka
- Therapeutic Systems Research Laboratories, Inc, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, USA
| | - Mark N Prichard
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | | | - William S M Wold
- Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA.
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Rota IA, Dhalla F. FOXN1 deficient nude severe combined immunodeficiency. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2017; 12:6. [PMID: 28077132 PMCID: PMC5225657 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-016-0557-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2016] [Accepted: 12/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Nude severe combined immunodeficiency is a rare inherited disease caused by autosomal recessive loss-of-function mutations in FOXN1. This gene encodes a transcription factor essential for the development of the thymus, the primary lymphoid organ that supports T-cell development and selection. To date nine cases have been reported presenting with the clinical triad of absent thymus resulting in severe T-cell immunodeficiency, congenital alopecia universalis and nail dystrophy. Diagnosis relies on testing for FOXN1 mutations, which allows genetic counselling and guides therapeutic management. Options for treating the underlying immune deficiency include HLA-matched genoidentical haematopoietic cell transplantation containing mature donor T-cells or thymus tissue transplantation. Experience from other severe combined immune deficiency syndromes suggests that early diagnosis, supportive care and definitive management result in better patient outcomes. Without these the prognosis is poor due to early-onset life threatening infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioanna A Rota
- Developmental Immunology Group, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Fatima Dhalla
- Developmental Immunology Group, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK. .,Department of Clinical Immunology, Oxford University Hospitals, Oxford, UK.
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8
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Booth C, Silva J, Veys P. Stem cell transplantation for the treatment of immunodeficiency in children: current status and hopes for the future. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2016; 12:713-23. [PMID: 26882211 DOI: 10.1586/1744666x.2016.1150177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Primary immunodeficiencies (PID) are rare inherited disorders affecting immune function and can be life-threatening if not treated. Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) offers a curative approach for many of these disorders and gene therapy is increasingly used as an alternative therapeutic strategy for patients lacking a suitable donor. Early diagnosis, improved supportive care and advances in gene and cell therapies have resulted in increased survival rates and improved quality of life. This review describes current strategies employed to improve outcomes in PID, focusing on new developments in HSCT, gene and cell therapy. We also address the challenges associated with newborn screening (NBS) programmes and novel mutations identified through improved diagnostic technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Booth
- a Department of Paediatric Immunology , Great Ormond Street Hospital , London , UK
| | - Juliana Silva
- b Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation , Great Ormond Street Hospital , London , UK
| | - Paul Veys
- b Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation , Great Ormond Street Hospital , London , UK
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Davies EG. Immunodeficiency in DiGeorge Syndrome and Options for Treating Cases with Complete Athymia. Front Immunol 2013; 4:322. [PMID: 24198816 PMCID: PMC3814041 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2013.00322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2013] [Accepted: 09/23/2013] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The commonest association of thymic stromal deficiency resulting in T-cell immunodeficiency is the DiGeorge syndrome (DGS). This results from abnormal development of the third and fourth pharyngeal arches and is most commonly associated with a microdeletion at chromosome 22q11 though other genetic and non-genetic causes have been described. The immunological competence of affected individuals is highly variable, ranging from normal to a severe combined immunodeficiency when there is complete athymia. In the most severe group, correction of the immunodeficiency can be achieved using thymus allografts which can support thymopoiesis even in the absence of donor-recipient matching at the major histocompatibility loci. This review focuses on the causes of DGS, the immunological features of the disorder, and the approaches to correction of the immunodeficiency including the use of thymus transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Graham Davies
- Centre for Immunodeficiency, Institute of Child Health, University College London and Great Ormond Street Hospital , London , UK
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