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Wang X, Gong W, Xiong X, Jia X, Xu J. Asparagine: A key metabolic junction in targeted tumor therapy. Pharmacol Res 2024; 206:107292. [PMID: 39002867 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2024.107292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024]
Abstract
Nutrient bioavailability in the tumor microenvironment plays a pivotal role in tumor proliferation and metastasis. Among these nutrients, glutamine is a key substance that promotes tumor growth and proliferation, and its downstream metabolite asparagine is also crucial in tumors. Studies have shown that when glutamine is exhausted, tumor cells can rely on asparagine to sustain their growth. Given the reliance of tumor cell proliferation on asparagine, restricting its bioavailability has emerged as promising strategy in cancer treatment. For instance, the use of asparaginase, an enzyme that depletes asparagine, has been one of the key chemotherapies for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). However, tumor cells can adapt to asparagine restriction, leading to reduced chemotherapy efficacy, and the mechanisms by which different genetically altered tumors are sensitized or adapted to asparagine restriction vary. We review the sources of asparagine and explore how limiting its bioavailability impacts the progression of specific genetically altered tumors. It is hoped that by targeting the signaling pathways involved in tumor adaptation to asparagine restriction and certain factors within these pathways, the issue of drug resistance can be addressed. Importantly, these strategies offer precise therapeutic approaches for genetically altered cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Wang
- Department of Gynecology, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Women and Children's Healthcare Hospital, Nanjing 210004, China
| | - Weijian Gong
- Department of Gynecology, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Women and Children's Healthcare Hospital, Nanjing 210004, China
| | - Xueyou Xiong
- Department of Gynecology, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Women and Children's Healthcare Hospital, Nanjing 210004, China
| | - Xuemei Jia
- Department of Gynecology, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Women and Children's Healthcare Hospital, Nanjing 210004, China; Nanjing Medical Key Laboratory of Female Fertility Preservation and Restoration, Nanjing 210004, China.
| | - Juan Xu
- Department of Gynecology, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Women and Children's Healthcare Hospital, Nanjing 210004, China; Nanjing Medical Key Laboratory of Female Fertility Preservation and Restoration, Nanjing 210004, China.
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Bagewadi ZK, Illanad GH, Shaikh IA, Mahnashi MH, Shettar SS, H KP, Alhazmi AYM, Hakami MA, Mahanta N, Singh SP, Karlo J, Khan A. Molecular expression, purification and structural characterization of recombinant L-Glutaminase from Streptomyces roseolus. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 273:133142. [PMID: 38889830 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.133142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
The present research reports the anti-cancer potential of recombinant L-Glutaminase from Streptomyces roseolus. L-Glutaminase gene was synthesized by codon-optimization, cloned and successfully expressed in E. coli BL21 (DE3). Affinity purified recombinant L-Glutaminase revealed a molecular mass of 32 kDa. Purified recombinant L-Glutaminase revealed stability at pH 7.0-8.0 with optimum activity at 70 °C further indicating its thermostable nature based on thermodynamic characterization. Recombinant L-Glutaminase exhibited profound stability in the presence of several biochemical parameters and demonstrated its metalloenzyme nature and was also found to be highly specific towards favorable substrate (l-Glutamine) based on kinetics. It demonstrated antioxidant property and pronounced cytotoxic effect against breast cancer (MCF-7 cell lines) in a dose dependent behavior with IC50 of 40.68 μg/mL. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight-mass spectroscopy (MALDI-TOF-MS) analysis of desired mass peaks ascertained the recombinant L-Glutaminase identity. N-terminal amino acid sequence characterization through Edman degradation revealed highest resemblance for L-glutaminase within the Streptomyces sp. family. The purified protein was characterized structurally and functionally by employing spectroscopic methods like Raman, circular dichroism and nuclear magnetic resonance. The thermostability was assessed by thermogravimetric analysis. The outcomes of the study, suggests the promising application of recombinant L-Glutaminase as targeted therapeutic candidate for breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zabin K Bagewadi
- Department of Biotechnology, KLE Technological University, Hubballi, Karnataka 580031, India.
| | - Gouri H Illanad
- Department of Biotechnology, KLE Technological University, Hubballi, Karnataka 580031, India
| | - Ibrahim Ahmed Shaikh
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Najran University, Najran, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mater H Mahnashi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Najran University, Najran, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shreya S Shettar
- Department of Biotechnology, KLE Technological University, Hubballi, Karnataka 580031, India
| | - Krushnamurthy P H
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology, Dharwad, Karnataka 580011, India
| | | | - Mohammed Ageeli Hakami
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Al-Quwayiyah, Shaqra University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nilkamal Mahanta
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology, Dharwad, Karnataka 580011, India.
| | - Surya P Singh
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Dharwad, Karnataka 580011, India
| | - Jiro Karlo
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Dharwad, Karnataka 580011, India
| | - Aejaz Khan
- Department of General Science, Ibn Sina National College for Medical Studies, Jeddah 21418, Saudi Arabia
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Bollino D, Hameed K, Bhat A, Zarrabi A, Casildo A, Ma X, Tighe KM, Carter-Cooper B, Strovel ET, Lapidus RG, Emadi A. Long-acting Erwinia chrysanthemi, Pegcrisantaspase, induces alternate amino acid biosynthetic pathways in a preclinical model of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Cancer Metab 2024; 12:19. [PMID: 38951899 PMCID: PMC11218198 DOI: 10.1186/s40170-024-00346-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive disease without meaningful therapeutic options beyond the first salvage therapy. Targeting PDAC metabolism through amino acid restriction has emerged as a promising new strategy, with asparaginases, enzymes that deplete plasma glutamine and asparagine, reaching clinical trials. In this study, we investigated the anti-PDAC activity of the asparaginase formulation Pegcrisantaspase (PegC) alone and in combination with standard-of-care chemotherapeutics. METHODS Using mouse and human PDAC cell lines, we assessed the impact of PegC on cell proliferation, cell death, and cell cycle progression. We further characterized the in vitro effect of PegC on protein synthesis as well as the generation of reactive oxygen species and levels of glutathione, a major cellular antioxidant. Additional cell line studies examined the effect of the combination of PegC with standard-of-care chemotherapeutics. In vivo, the tolerability and efficacy of PegC, as well as the impact on plasma amino acid levels, was assessed using the C57BL/6-derived KPC syngeneic mouse model. RESULTS Here we report that PegC demonstrated potent anti-proliferative activity in a panel of human and murine PDAC cell lines. This decrease in proliferation was accompanied by inhibited protein synthesis and decreased levels of glutathione. In vivo, PegC was tolerable and effectively reduced plasma levels of glutamine and asparagine, leading to a statistically significant inhibition of tumor growth in a syngeneic mouse model of PDAC. There was no observable in vitro or in vivo benefit to combining PegC with standard-of-care chemotherapeutics, including oxaliplatin, irinotecan, 5-fluorouracil, paclitaxel, and gemcitabine. Notably, PegC treatment increased tumor expression of asparagine and serine biosynthetic enzymes. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, our results demonstrate the potential therapeutic use of PegC in PDAC and highlight the importance of identifying candidates for combination regimens that could improve cytotoxicity and/or reduce the induction of resistance pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominique Bollino
- Department of Medical Oncology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA
- West Virginia University Cancer Institute, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Kanwal Hameed
- University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Anusha Bhat
- University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Arveen Zarrabi
- University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Andrea Casildo
- University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Xinrong Ma
- University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kayla M Tighe
- University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Brandon Carter-Cooper
- University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Erin T Strovel
- Department of Pathology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Rena G Lapidus
- University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ashkan Emadi
- Department of Medical Oncology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA.
- West Virginia University Cancer Institute, Morgantown, WV, USA.
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Ruiz-Lara G, Costa-Silva TA, Muso-Cachumba JJ, Cevallos Espinel J, Fontes MG, Garcia-Maya M, Rahman KM, Rangel-Yagui CDO, Monteiro G. Nonclinical Evaluation of Single-Mutant E. coli Asparaginases Obtained by Double-Mutant Deconvolution: Improving Toxicological, Immune and Inflammatory Responses. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6008. [PMID: 38892196 PMCID: PMC11172649 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25116008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is currently treated with bacterial L-asparaginase; however, its side effects raise the need for the development of improved and efficient novel enzymes. Previously, we obtained low anti-asparaginase antibody production and high serum enzyme half-life in mice treated with the P40S/S206C mutant; however, its specific activity was significantly reduced. Thus, our aim was to test single mutants, S206C and P40S, through in vitro and in vivo assays. Our results showed that the drop in specific activity was caused by P40S substitution. In addition, our single mutants were highly stable in biological environment simulation, unlike the double-mutant P40S/S206C. The in vitro cell viability assay demonstrated that mutant enzymes have a higher cytotoxic effect than WT on T-cell-derived ALL and on some solid cancer cell lines. The in vivo assays were performed in mice to identify toxicological effects, to evoke immunological responses and to study the enzymes' pharmacokinetics. From these tests, none of the enzymes was toxic; however, S206C elicited lower physiological changes and immune/allergenic responses. In relation to the pharmacokinetic profile, S206C exhibited twofold higher activity than WT and P40S two hours after injection. In conclusion, we present bioengineered E. coli asparaginases with high specific enzyme activity and fewer side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace Ruiz-Lara
- Department of Biochemical and Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmaceutical Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, SP, Brazil; (G.R.-L.); (J.J.M.-C.); (M.G.F.); (C.d.O.R.-Y.)
| | - Tales A. Costa-Silva
- Center for Natural and Human Sciences, Federal University of ABC, Santo André 09210-580, SP, Brazil;
| | - Jorge Javier Muso-Cachumba
- Department of Biochemical and Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmaceutical Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, SP, Brazil; (G.R.-L.); (J.J.M.-C.); (M.G.F.); (C.d.O.R.-Y.)
| | | | - Marina Gabriel Fontes
- Department of Biochemical and Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmaceutical Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, SP, Brazil; (G.R.-L.); (J.J.M.-C.); (M.G.F.); (C.d.O.R.-Y.)
| | - Mitla Garcia-Maya
- Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King’s College London, London SE1 1UL, UK;
| | | | - Carlota de Oliveira Rangel-Yagui
- Department of Biochemical and Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmaceutical Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, SP, Brazil; (G.R.-L.); (J.J.M.-C.); (M.G.F.); (C.d.O.R.-Y.)
| | - Gisele Monteiro
- Department of Biochemical and Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmaceutical Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, SP, Brazil; (G.R.-L.); (J.J.M.-C.); (M.G.F.); (C.d.O.R.-Y.)
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Ściuk A, Wątor K, Staroń I, Worsztynowicz P, Pokrywka K, Sliwiak J, Kilichowska M, Pietruszewska K, Mazurek Z, Skalniak A, Lewandowski K, Jaskolski M, Loch JI, Surmiak M. Substrate Affinity Is Not Crucial for Therapeutic L-Asparaginases: Antileukemic Activity of Novel Bacterial Enzymes. Molecules 2024; 29:2272. [PMID: 38792133 PMCID: PMC11124013 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29102272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
L-asparaginases are used in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The aim of this work was to compare the antiproliferative potential and proapoptotic properties of novel L-asparaginases from different structural classes, viz. EcAIII and KpAIII (class 2), as well as ReAIV and ReAV (class 3). The EcAII (class 1) enzyme served as a reference. The proapoptotic and antiproliferative effects were tested using four human leukemia cell models: MOLT-4, RAJI, THP-1, and HL-60. The antiproliferative assay with the MOLT-4 cell line indicated the inhibitory properties of all tested L-asparaginases. The results from the THP-1 cell models showed a similar antiproliferative effect in the presence of EcAII, EcAIII, and KpAIII. In the case of HL-60 cells, the inhibition of proliferation was observed in the presence of EcAII and KpAIII, whereas the proliferation of RAJI cells was inhibited only by EcAII. The results of the proapoptotic assays showed individual effects of the enzymes toward specific cell lines, suggesting a selective (time-dependent and dose-dependent) action of the tested L-asparaginases. We have, thus, demonstrated that novel L-asparaginases, with a lower substrate affinity than EcAII, also exhibit significant antileukemic properties in vitro, which makes them interesting new drug candidates for the treatment of hematological malignancies. For all enzymes, the kinetic parameters (Km and kcat) and thermal stability (Tm) were determined. Structural and catalytic properties of L-asparaginases from different classes are also summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Ściuk
- Department of Crystal Chemistry and Crystal Physics, Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland; (A.Ś.); (M.K.)
- Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Łojasiewicza 11, 30-348 Krakow, Poland
- II Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Skawińska 8, 31-066 Krakow, Poland
| | - Kinga Wątor
- Department of Crystal Chemistry and Crystal Physics, Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland; (A.Ś.); (M.K.)
- II Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Skawińska 8, 31-066 Krakow, Poland
| | - Izabela Staroń
- Department of Crystal Chemistry and Crystal Physics, Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland; (A.Ś.); (M.K.)
- II Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Skawińska 8, 31-066 Krakow, Poland
| | - Paulina Worsztynowicz
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704 Poznan, Poland; (P.W.); (K.P.); (J.S.); (M.J.)
| | - Kinga Pokrywka
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704 Poznan, Poland; (P.W.); (K.P.); (J.S.); (M.J.)
| | - Joanna Sliwiak
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704 Poznan, Poland; (P.W.); (K.P.); (J.S.); (M.J.)
| | - Marta Kilichowska
- Department of Crystal Chemistry and Crystal Physics, Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland; (A.Ś.); (M.K.)
- Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Łojasiewicza 11, 30-348 Krakow, Poland
| | - Kamila Pietruszewska
- Center for the Development of Therapies for Civilization and Age-Related Diseases, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Skawińska 8, 31-066 Krakow, Poland; (K.P.); (Z.M.); (A.S.)
| | - Zofia Mazurek
- Center for the Development of Therapies for Civilization and Age-Related Diseases, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Skawińska 8, 31-066 Krakow, Poland; (K.P.); (Z.M.); (A.S.)
| | - Anna Skalniak
- Center for the Development of Therapies for Civilization and Age-Related Diseases, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Skawińska 8, 31-066 Krakow, Poland; (K.P.); (Z.M.); (A.S.)
| | - Krzysztof Lewandowski
- Department of Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Szamarzewskiego 84, 60-569 Poznan, Poland;
| | - Mariusz Jaskolski
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704 Poznan, Poland; (P.W.); (K.P.); (J.S.); (M.J.)
- Department of Crystallography, Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznanskiego 8, 61-614 Poznan, Poland
| | - Joanna I. Loch
- Department of Crystal Chemistry and Crystal Physics, Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland; (A.Ś.); (M.K.)
| | - Marcin Surmiak
- II Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Skawińska 8, 31-066 Krakow, Poland
- Center for the Development of Therapies for Civilization and Age-Related Diseases, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Skawińska 8, 31-066 Krakow, Poland; (K.P.); (Z.M.); (A.S.)
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Giurini EF, Godla A, Gupta KH. Redefining bioactive small molecules from microbial metabolites as revolutionary anticancer agents. Cancer Gene Ther 2024; 31:187-206. [PMID: 38200347 PMCID: PMC10874892 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-023-00715-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Cancer treatment remains a significant challenge due to issues such as acquired resistance to conventional therapies and the occurrence of adverse treatment-related toxicities. In recent years, researchers have turned their attention to the microbial world in search of novel and effective drugs to combat this devastating disease. Microbial derived secondary metabolites have proven to be a valuable source of biologically active compounds, which exhibit diverse functions and have demonstrated potential as treatments for various human diseases. The exploration of these compounds has provided valuable insights into their mechanisms of action against cancer cells. In-depth studies have been conducted on clinically established microbial metabolites, unraveling their anticancer properties, and shedding light on their therapeutic potential. This review aims to comprehensively examine the anticancer mechanisms of these established microbial metabolites. Additionally, it highlights the emerging therapies derived from these metabolites, offering a glimpse into the immense potential they hold for anticancer drug discovery. Furthermore, this review delves into approved treatments and major drug candidates currently undergoing clinical trials, focusing on specific molecular targets. It also addresses the challenges and issues encountered in the field of anticancer drug research and development. It also presents a comprehensive exposition of the contemporary panorama concerning microbial metabolites serving as a reservoir for anticancer agents, thereby illuminating their auspicious prospects and the prospect of forthcoming strides in the domain of cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eileena F Giurini
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Aishvarya Godla
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Kajal H Gupta
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
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