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Sawma T, Shaito A, Najm N, Sidani M, Orekhov A, El-Yazbi AF, Iratni R, Eid AH. Role of RhoA and Rho-associated kinase in phenotypic switching of vascular smooth muscle cells: Implications for vascular function. Atherosclerosis 2022; 358:12-28. [DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2022.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Zhang W, Li J. EGF Receptor Signaling Modulates YAP Activation and Promotes Experimental Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2022; 63:24. [PMID: 35895037 PMCID: PMC9344224 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.63.8.24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Both epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and the Yes-associated protein (YAP) signaling pathway are implicated in cell proliferation and differentiation. In this study, we explored whether the formation of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) depends on the interaction of the EGFR receptor and YAP pathway. Methods We studied the effects of EGFR and YAP activation on retinal fibrosis in a PVR mouse model as well as in knockout mice (conditional deletion of EGFR or YAP specifically in RPE cells). Reversal and knockdown experiments were performed to induce a model of ARPE-19 cells treated with TGF-β2 in vitro. The effect of EGFR/YAP signaling blockade on the PVR-induced cell cycle and TGF-β2-induced ARPE-19 cell activation was determined. Results The EGFR inhibitor erlotinib or conditional deletion of EGFR attenuated YAP activation and decreased the expression of YAP and its downstream target Cyr61 and of connective tissue growth factor in vivo and in vitro. EGFR-PI3K-PDK1 signaling induced by PVR promoted YAP activation and cell cycle progression. Furthermore, activated EGFR signaling bypassed RhoA to increase the protein levels of YAP, C-Myc, CyclinD1, and Bcl-xl. Conclusions Our work highlights that EGFR-PI3K-PDK1-dependent YAP activation plays a crucial role in the formation of PVR. Targeting EGFR and the YAP pathway provides promising therapeutic treatments for PVR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhang
- Tianjin Eye Hospital, Tianjin Key Lab of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Tianjin Eye Institute, Clinical College of Ophthalmology Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.,Department of Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Jing Li
- Tianjin Eye Hospital, Tianjin Key Lab of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Tianjin Eye Institute, Clinical College of Ophthalmology Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
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Li L, Liu S, Tan J, Wei L, Wu D, Gao S, Weng Y, Chen J. Recent advance in treatment of atherosclerosis: Key targets and plaque-positioned delivery strategies. J Tissue Eng 2022; 13:20417314221088509. [PMID: 35356091 PMCID: PMC8958685 DOI: 10.1177/20417314221088509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory disease of vascular wall, is a progressive pathophysiological process with lipids oxidation/depositing initiation and innate/adaptive immune responses. The coordination of multi systems covering oxidative stress, dysfunctional endothelium, diseased lipid uptake, cell apoptosis, thrombotic and pro-inflammatory responding as well as switched SMCs contributes to plaque growth. In this circumstance, inevitably, targeting these processes is considered to be effective for treating atherosclerosis. Arriving, retention and working of payload candidates mediated by targets in lesion direct ultimate therapeutic outcomes. Accumulating a series of scientific studies and clinical practice in the past decades, lesion homing delivery strategies including stent/balloon/nanoparticle-based transportation worked as the potent promotor to ensure a therapeutic effect. The objective of this review is to achieve a very brief summary about the effective therapeutic methods cooperating specifical targets and positioning-delivery strategies in atherosclerosis for better outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Li
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology of Materials, Ministry of Education, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Sainan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology of Materials, Ministry of Education, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Jianying Tan
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology of Materials, Ministry of Education, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Lai Wei
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology of Materials, Ministry of Education, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Dimeng Wu
- Chengdu Daxan Innovative Medical Tech. Co., Ltd., Chengdu, PR China
| | - Shuai Gao
- Chengdu Daxan Innovative Medical Tech. Co., Ltd., Chengdu, PR China
| | - Yajun Weng
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology of Materials, Ministry of Education, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Junying Chen
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology of Materials, Ministry of Education, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, PR China
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Mori M, Sakamoto A, Sato Y, Kawakami R, Kawai K, Cornelissen A, Abebe B, Ghosh S, Romero ME, Kolodgie FD, Virmani R, Finn AV. Overcoming challenges in refining the current generation of coronary stents. Expert Rev Cardiovasc Ther 2021; 19:1013-1028. [PMID: 34860134 DOI: 10.1080/14779072.2021.2013810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Late stent thrombosis caused by delayed vascular healing and prolonged local inflammation were major drawbacks of 1st generation drug-eluting stents (DES). Strut design, biocompatibility of polymer, and drug-release profiles were improved in 2nd and 3rdgeneration DES. Accordingly, the indications for percutaneous coronary intervention with DES have been expanded to more complex patients and lesions. Despite these improvements, significant barriers such as greater flexibility in the duration of dual-antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) as well as reducing long-term stent-related events remain. To achieve ideal short- and long-term results, these existing limitations need to be overcome. AREAS COVERED We will discuss the current limitations of coronary DES and how they might be overcome from pathological and clinical viewpoints. EXPERT OPINION Optimizing DAPT duration after stent implantation and prevention of in-stent neoatherosclerosis are two major issues in current DES. Overcoming these drawbacks is a prerequisite toward achieving better short- and long-term clinical outcomes. New technologies including platform design, polymer types, and anti-proliferative agent itself might lead to further improvements. Although the initial experience with bioresorbable scaffold/stents (BRS) was disappointing, positive results of clinical studies regarding novel BRS are raising expectations. Overall, further device innovation is desired for overcoming the limitations of current DES.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yu Sato
- CVPath Institute, Inc, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | | | - Kenji Kawai
- CVPath Institute, Inc, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Aloke V Finn
- CVPath Institute, Inc, Gaithersburg, MD, USA.,School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Md, USA
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Vaidyanathan K, Wang C, Krajnik A, Yu Y, Choi M, Lin B, Jang J, Heo SJ, Kolega J, Lee K, Bae Y. A machine learning pipeline revealing heterogeneous responses to drug perturbations on vascular smooth muscle cell spheroid morphology and formation. Sci Rep 2021; 11:23285. [PMID: 34857846 PMCID: PMC8640073 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-02683-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Machine learning approaches have shown great promise in biology and medicine discovering hidden information to further understand complex biological and pathological processes. In this study, we developed a deep learning-based machine learning algorithm to meaningfully process image data and facilitate studies in vascular biology and pathology. Vascular injury and atherosclerosis are characterized by neointima formation caused by the aberrant accumulation and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) within the vessel wall. Understanding how to control VSMC behaviors would promote the development of therapeutic targets to treat vascular diseases. However, the response to drug treatments among VSMCs with the same diseased vascular condition is often heterogeneous. Here, to identify the heterogeneous responses of drug treatments, we created an in vitro experimental model system using VSMC spheroids and developed a machine learning-based computational method called HETEROID (heterogeneous spheroid). First, we established a VSMC spheroid model that mimics neointima-like formation and the structure of arteries. Then, to identify the morphological subpopulations of drug-treated VSMC spheroids, we used a machine learning framework that combines deep learning-based spheroid segmentation and morphological clustering analysis. Our machine learning approach successfully showed that FAK, Rac, Rho, and Cdc42 inhibitors differentially affect spheroid morphology, suggesting that multiple drug responses of VSMC spheroid formation exist. Overall, our HETEROID pipeline enables detailed quantitative drug characterization of morphological changes in neointima formation, that occurs in vivo, by single-spheroid analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalyanaraman Vaidyanathan
- Department of Pathology and Anatomical Sciences, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Chuangqi Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA, 01609, USA
| | - Amanda Krajnik
- Department of Pathology and Anatomical Sciences, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Yudong Yu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA, 01609, USA
| | - Moses Choi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA, 01609, USA
| | - Bolun Lin
- Department of Computer Science, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA, 01609, USA
| | - Junbong Jang
- Vascular Biology Program, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Su-Jin Heo
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - John Kolega
- Department of Pathology and Anatomical Sciences, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Kwonmoo Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA, 01609, USA.
- Vascular Biology Program, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
- Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
| | - Yongho Bae
- Department of Pathology and Anatomical Sciences, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA.
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Kilian LS, Voran J, Frank D, Rangrez AY. RhoA: a dubious molecule in cardiac pathophysiology. J Biomed Sci 2021; 28:33. [PMID: 33906663 PMCID: PMC8080415 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-021-00730-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The Ras homolog gene family member A (RhoA) is the founding member of Rho GTPase superfamily originally studied in cancer cells where it was found to stimulate cell cycle progression and migration. RhoA acts as a master switch control of actin dynamics essential for maintaining cytoarchitecture of a cell. In the last two decades, however, RhoA has been coined and increasingly investigated as an essential molecule involved in signal transduction and regulation of gene transcription thereby affecting physiological functions such as cell division, survival, proliferation and migration. RhoA has been shown to play an important role in cardiac remodeling and cardiomyopathies; underlying mechanisms are however still poorly understood since the results derived from in vitro and in vivo experiments are still inconclusive. Interestingly its role in the development of cardiomyopathies or heart failure remains largely unclear due to anomalies in the current data available that indicate both cardioprotective and deleterious effects. In this review, we aimed to outline the molecular mechanisms of RhoA activation, to give an overview of its regulators, and the probable mechanisms of signal transduction leading to RhoA activation and induction of downstream effector pathways and corresponding cellular responses in cardiac (patho)physiology. Furthermore, we discuss the existing studies assessing the presented results and shedding light on the often-ambiguous data. Overall, we provide an update of the molecular, physiological and pathological functions of RhoA in the heart and its potential in cardiac therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Sophie Kilian
- Department of Internal Medicine III (Cardiology, Angiology, Intensive Care), University Medical Center Kiel, Rosalind-Franklin Str. 12, 24105, Kiel, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, 24105, Kiel, Germany
| | - Jakob Voran
- Department of Internal Medicine III (Cardiology, Angiology, Intensive Care), University Medical Center Kiel, Rosalind-Franklin Str. 12, 24105, Kiel, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, 24105, Kiel, Germany
| | - Derk Frank
- Department of Internal Medicine III (Cardiology, Angiology, Intensive Care), University Medical Center Kiel, Rosalind-Franklin Str. 12, 24105, Kiel, Germany. .,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, 24105, Kiel, Germany.
| | - Ashraf Yusuf Rangrez
- Department of Internal Medicine III (Cardiology, Angiology, Intensive Care), University Medical Center Kiel, Rosalind-Franklin Str. 12, 24105, Kiel, Germany. .,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, 24105, Kiel, Germany. .,Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Pneumology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 410, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
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Luo Y, Huang C. CircSFMBT2 facilitates vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation by targeting miR-331-3p/HDAC5. Life Sci 2020; 264:118691. [PMID: 33166591 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2020.118691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the functional role of circSFMBT2 in vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation and migration and the underlying molecular mechanism. METHODS The circSFMBT2 levels in neointimal tissue and platelet derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB)-treated VSMCs were detected by qRT-PCR. The role of circSFMBT2 in VSMC proliferation, migration and cell cycle distribution was assessed by MTT assay, transwell assay, wound healing assay and flow cytometry. The protein expression of contractile markers was evaluated by western blot. In vitro luciferase reporter assay, RNA pull-down assay, ChIP and coimmunoprecipitation (CoIP) were performed to explore the effects of circSFMBT2 on the downstream signaling pathway. RESULTS We found that circSFMBT2 was markedly increased in neointimal tissue relative to normal tissue and PDGF-BB-treated VSMCs relative to control VSMCs. The knockdown of circSFMBT2 by siRNA significantly inhibited the proliferation and migration of VSMCs. Interestingly, circSFMBT2 knockdown enhanced the expression of contractile marker proteins including SM22α, SM myosin heavy chain (SMMHC) and calponin. Further data demonstrated that circSFMBT2 interacted with miR-331-3p as a competing endogenous RNA and up-regulated the expression of histone deacetylase 5 (HDAC5), thereby regulating the level of angiogenic factor with G patch and FHA domains (Aggf1). CONCLUSION These results revealed that circSFMBT2 plays a vital role in VSMC proliferation and migration through the miR-331/HDAC5/Aggf1 axis, and suggest a novel target for treating proliferative vascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yishu Luo
- Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, People's Republic of China
| | - Chen Huang
- Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, People's Republic of China; Department of Vascular Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, People's Republic of China.
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Huang C, Zhao J, Zhu Y. Drug-Eluting Stent Targeting Sp-1-Attenuated Restenosis by Engaging YAP-Mediated Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Phenotypic Modulation. J Am Heart Assoc 2019; 9:e014103. [PMID: 31880978 PMCID: PMC6988170 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.119.014103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Background Activation of the YAP (Yes‐associated protein) pathway has been demonstrated to be related to smooth muscle cells (SMCs) phenotypic modulation and vessel restenosis. The aim of this study was to illustrate the molecular mechanisms that regulate the expression of YAP during the process of SMCs phenotypic switch. Whether the molecular basis identified in the study could be a potential therapeutic target for drug‐eluting stents is further tested. Methods and Results In cell culture and in rat carotid arterial injury models, Sp‐1 (specificity protein 1) expression was significantly induced, and correlated with SMCs proliferative phenotype. Overexpression of Sp‐1 promoted SMCs proliferation and migration. Conversely, siSp‐1 transfection or Sp‐1 inhibitor Mithramycin A treatment attenuates SMC proliferation and migration. Through gain‐ and loss‐function assays, we demonstrated that YAP was involved in Sp‐1‐mediated SMC phenotypic switch. Mechanistically, activated Sp‐1 regulated YAP transcriptional expression through binding to its promoter. Moreover, we fabricated a Sp‐1 inhibitor Mithramycin A‐eluting stent and further tested it. In the rabbit carotid model, Mithramycin A‐eluting stent inhibited YAP transcription and attenuated in‐stent restenosis through regulating YAP‐mediated SMC phenotypic switch. Conclusions Sp‐1 controls phenotypic modulation of SMC by regulating transcription factor YAP. Drug‐eluting stent targeting Sp‐1 might represent a novel therapeutic strategy to prevent in‐stent restenosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Huang
- Department of Vascular Surgery Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University Nantong People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Zhao
- Department of Vascular Surgery Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School Nanjing People's Republic of China
| | - Yuelin Zhu
- Department of Vascular Surgery Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School Nanjing People's Republic of China
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Huang C, Zhang W, Zhu Y. Drug-eluting stent specifically designed to target vascular smooth muscle cell phenotypic modulation attenuated restenosis through the YAP pathway. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2019; 317:H541-H551. [PMID: 31298560 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00089.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) phenotypic modulation contributes to the development of restenosis. A sorafenib-eluting stent was specifically designed to target SMC phenotypic modulation to inhibit in-stent restenosis in the present study. SMC contractile protein from the freshly isolated rat aorta was expressed at a high level, but its expression was dramatically reduced after SMCs were cultured in 10% FBS for 1 wk. After sorafenib treatment, SMC contractile protein expression was markedly upregulated. We further observed that Yes-associated protein (YAP) expression was attenuated after sorafenib treatment in a dose-dependent manner. Overexpression of YAP by lentivirus reversed the expression of sorafenib-induced SMC contractile protein and increased the expression of cyclin D. Mechanistically, sorafenib regulated the serum response factor-myocardin (SRF-Myocd) complex through competitive binding of YAP to Myocd and increased SRF binding to CArG-containing regions of SMC-specific contractile genes within intact chromatin, thereby controlling the activity of smooth muscle-specific gene transcription. In a rabbit carotid model, the sorafenib-eluting stent (SFES) dramatically inhibited in-stent restenosis and upregulated SMC contractile protein expression. Overexpression of YAP blocked the antirestenosis effect of SFES and repressed contractile smooth muscle-specific genes in vivo, indicating that SFES attenuated in-stent restenosis through YAP-mediated SMC phenotypic modulation. We demonstrated that SFES attenuated in-stent restenosis through YAP-mediated SMC phenotypic modulation. Targeting SMC phenotypic modulation by drug-eluting stent represents an attractive therapeutic approach for the treatment of occlusive vascular diseases.NEW & NOTEWORTHY In the present study, we demonstrated that sorafenib regulates smooth muscle cell (SMC) phenotypic modulation from a proliferative to a contractile state. Sorafenib induced a myocardin-serum response factor interaction and increased SMC contractile gene transcription through the Yes-associated protein pathway. Moreover, local delivery of sorafenib regulating SMC phenotypic modulation represents a promising strategy in the design of drug-eluting stents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Huang
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Wenwen Zhang
- Department of Vascular Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University Medical School, Nanchang, China
| | - Yuelin Zhu
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
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