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Jia S, Zhao F. Single-cell transcriptomic profiling of the neonatal oviduct and uterus reveals new insights into upper Müllerian duct regionalization. FASEB J 2024; 38:e23632. [PMID: 38686936 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202400303r] [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: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
The upper Müllerian duct (MD) is patterned and specified into two morphologically and functionally distinct organs, the oviduct and uterus. It is known that this regionalization process is instructed by inductive signals from the adjacent mesenchyme. However, the interaction landscape between epithelium and mesenchyme during upper MD development remains largely unknown. Here, we performed single-cell transcriptomic profiling of mouse neonatal oviducts and uteri at the initiation of MD epithelial differentiation (postnatal day 3). We identified major cell types including epithelium, mesenchyme, pericytes, mesothelium, endothelium, and immune cells in both organs with established markers. Moreover, we uncovered region-specific epithelial and mesenchymal subpopulations and then deduced region-specific ligand-receptor pairs mediating mesenchymal-epithelial interactions along the craniocaudal axis. Unexpectedly, we discovered a mesenchymal subpopulation marked by neurofilaments with specific localizations at the mesometrial pole of both the neonatal oviduct and uterus. Lastly, we analyzed and revealed organ-specific signature genes of pericytes and mesothelial cells. Taken together, our study enriches our knowledge of upper MD development, and provides a manageable list of potential genes, pathways, and region-specific cell subtypes for future functional studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Jia
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Fei Zhao
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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2
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Schumann P, Rivetti C, Houghton J, Campos B, Hodges G, LaLone C. Combination of computational new approach methodologies for enhancing evidence of biological pathway conservation across species. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:168573. [PMID: 37981146 PMCID: PMC10926110 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
The ability to predict which chemicals are of concern for environmental safety is dependent, in part, on the ability to extrapolate chemical effects across many species. This work investigated the complementary use of two computational new approach methodologies to support cross-species predictions of chemical susceptibility: the US Environmental Protection Agency Sequence Alignment to Predict Across Species Susceptibility (SeqAPASS) tool and Unilever's recently developed Genes to Pathways - Species Conservation Analysis (G2P-SCAN) tool. These stand-alone tools rely on existing biological knowledge to help understand chemical susceptibility and biological pathway conservation across species. The utility and challenges of these combined computational approaches were demonstrated using case examples focused on chemical interactions with peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha (PPARα), estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1), and gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor subunit alpha (GABRA1). Overall, the biological pathway information enhanced the weight of evidence to support cross-species susceptibility predictions. Through comparisons of relevant molecular and functional data gleaned from adverse outcome pathways (AOPs) to mapped biological pathways, it was possible to gain a toxicological context for various chemical-protein interactions. The information gained through this computational approach could ultimately inform chemical safety assessments by enhancing cross-species predictions of chemical susceptibility. It could also help fulfill a core objective of the AOP framework by potentially expanding the biologically plausible taxonomic domain of applicability of relevant AOPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Schumann
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Duluth, MN, USA
| | - Claudia Rivetti
- Safety and Environmental Assurance Centre, Unilever, Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire, UK
| | - Jade Houghton
- Safety and Environmental Assurance Centre, Unilever, Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire, UK
| | - Bruno Campos
- Safety and Environmental Assurance Centre, Unilever, Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire, UK
| | - Geoff Hodges
- Safety and Environmental Assurance Centre, Unilever, Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire, UK
| | - Carlie LaLone
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Duluth, MN, USA.
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Rizo JA, Davenport KM, Winuthayanon W, Spencer TE, Kelleher AM. Estrogen receptor alpha regulates uterine epithelial lineage specification and homeostasis. iScience 2023; 26:107568. [PMID: 37622003 PMCID: PMC10445454 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Postnatal development of the uterus involves specification of undifferentiated epithelium into uterine-type epithelium. That specification is regulated by stromal-epithelial interactions as well as intrinsic cell-specific transcription factors and gene regulatory networks. This study utilized mouse genetic models of Esr1 deletion, endometrial epithelial organoids (EEO), and organoid-stromal co-cultures to decipher the role of Esr1 in uterine epithelial development. Organoids derived from wild-type (WT) mice developed a normal single layer of columnar epithelium. In contrast, EEO from Esr1 null mice developed a multilayered stratified squamous type of epithelium with basal cells. Co-culturing Esr1 null epithelium with WT uterine stromal fibroblasts inhibited basal cell development. Of note, estrogen treatment of EEO-stromal co-cultures and Esr1 conditional knockout mice increased basal epithelial cell markers. Collectively, these findings suggest that Esr1 regulates uterine epithelium lineage plasticity and homeostasis and loss of ESR1 promotes altered luminal-to-basal differentiation driven by ESR1-mediated paracrine factors from the stroma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason A. Rizo
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | | | - Wipawee Winuthayanon
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women’s Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Thomas E. Spencer
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women’s Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Andrew M. Kelleher
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women’s Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
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Fukuda T, Suzuki E, Fukuda R. Bone morphogenetic protein signaling is a possible therapeutic target in gynecologic cancer. Cancer Sci 2023; 114:722-729. [PMID: 36468782 PMCID: PMC9986083 DOI: 10.1111/cas.15682] [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: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) belong to the transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) superfamily. BMPs play crucial roles in embryogenesis and bone remodeling. Recently, BMP signaling has been found to have diverse effects on different types of tumors. In this review, we summarized the effects of BMP signaling on gynecologic cancer. BMP signaling has tumor-promoting effects on ovarian cancer (OC) and endometrial cancer (EC), whereas it has tumor-suppressing effects on uterine cervical cancer (UCC). Interestingly, EC has frequent gain-of-function mutations in ACVR1, encoding one of the type I BMP receptors, which are also observed in fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva and diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma. Little is known about the relationship between BMP signaling and other gynecologic cancers. Tumor-promoting effects of BMP signaling in OC and EC are dependent on the promotion of cancer stemness and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). In accordance, BMP receptor kinase inhibitors suppress the cell growth and migration of OC and EC. Since both cancer stemness and EMT are associated with chemoresistance, BMP signaling activation might also be an important mechanism by which OC and EC patients acquire chemoresistance. Therefore, BMP inhibitors are promising for OC and EC patients even if they become resistant to standard chemotherapy. In contrast, BMP signaling inhibits UCC growth in vitro. However, the in vivo effects of BMP signaling have not been elucidated in UCC. In conclusion, BMP signaling has a variety of functions, depending on the types of gynecologic cancer. Therefore, targeting BMP signaling should improve the treatment of patients with gynecologic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomohiko Fukuda
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Eri Suzuki
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Risa Fukuda
- Division of Dermatology, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
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Luo S, Liu Z, Bian Q, Wang X. Ectomesenchymal Six1 controls mandibular skeleton formation. Front Genet 2023; 14:1082911. [PMID: 36845386 PMCID: PMC9946248 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1082911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Craniofacial development requires intricate cooperation between multiple transcription factors and signaling pathways. Six1 is a critical transcription factor regulating craniofacial development. However, the exact function of Six1 during craniofacial development remains elusive. In this study, we investigated the role of Six1 in mandible development using a Six1 knockout mouse model (Six1 -/- ) and a cranial neural crest-specific, Six1 conditional knockout mouse model (Six1 f/f ; Wnt1-Cre). The Six1 -/- mice exhibited multiple craniofacial deformities, including severe microsomia, high-arched palate, and uvula deformity. Notably, the Six1 f/f ; Wnt1-Cre mice recapitulate the microsomia phenotype of Six1 -/- mice, thus demonstrating that the expression of Six1 in ectomesenchyme is critical for mandible development. We further showed that the knockout of Six1 led to abnormal expression of osteogenic genes within the mandible. Moreover, the knockdown of Six1 in C3H10 T1/2 cells reduced their osteogenic capacity in vitro. Using RNA-seq, we showed that both the loss of Six1 in the E18.5 mandible and Six1 knockdown in C3H10 T1/2 led to the dysregulation of genes involved in embryonic skeletal development. In particular, we showed that Six1 binds to the promoter of Bmp4, Fat4, Fgf18, and Fgfr2, and promotes their transcription. Collectively, our results suggest that Six1 plays a critical role in regulating mandibular skeleton formation during mouse embryogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songyuan Luo
- Department of Oral and Craniomaxillofacial Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China,National Center for Stomatology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhixu Liu
- Department of Oral and Craniomaxillofacial Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China,National Center for Stomatology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai, China
| | - Qian Bian
- Department of Oral and Craniomaxillofacial Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China,Shanghai Institute of Precision Medicine, Shanghai, China,*Correspondence: Qian Bian, ; Xudong Wang,
| | - Xudong Wang
- Department of Oral and Craniomaxillofacial Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China,National Center for Stomatology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai, China,*Correspondence: Qian Bian, ; Xudong Wang,
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Tan Y, Flynn WF, Sivajothi S, Luo D, Bozal SB, Davé M, Luciano AA, Robson P, Luciano DE, Courtois ET. Single-cell analysis of endometriosis reveals a coordinated transcriptional programme driving immunotolerance and angiogenesis across eutopic and ectopic tissues. Nat Cell Biol 2022; 24:1306-1318. [PMID: 35864314 PMCID: PMC9901845 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-022-00961-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Endometriosis is characterized by the growth of endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus. It affects many women during their reproductive age, causing years of pelvic pain and potential infertility. Its pathophysiology remains largely unknown, which limits early diagnosis and treatment. We characterized peritoneal and ovarian lesions at single-cell transcriptome resolution and compared them to matched eutopic endometrium, unaffected endometrium and organoids derived from these tissues, generating data on over 122,000 cells across 14 individuals. We spatially localized many of the cell types using imaging mass cytometry. We identify a perivascular mural cell specific to the peritoneal lesions, with dual roles in angiogenesis promotion and immune cell trafficking. We define an immunotolerant peritoneal niche, fundamental differences in eutopic endometrium and between lesion microenvironments and an unreported progenitor-like epithelial cell subpopulation. Altogether, this study provides a holistic view of the endometriosis microenvironment that represents a comprehensive cell atlas of the disease in individuals undergoing hormonal treatment, providing essential information for future therapeutics and diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuliana Tan
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA 06032,Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA 06032
| | - William F. Flynn
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA 06032
| | | | - Diane Luo
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA 06032
| | - Suleyman B. Bozal
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA 06032
| | - Monica Davé
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA 06032,Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA 06032
| | - Anthony A. Luciano
- Obstetrics and Gynecology at University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT, USA 06032
| | - Paul Robson
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA 06032,Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA 06032,Institute for Systems Genomics, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT, USA 06032,Corresponding authors
| | - Danielle E. Luciano
- Obstetrics and Gynecology at University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT, USA 06032,Corresponding authors
| | - Elise T. Courtois
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA 06032,Corresponding authors
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Major AT, Estermann MA, Roly ZY, Smith CA. An evo-devo perspective of the female reproductive tract. Biol Reprod 2021; 106:9-23. [PMID: 34494091 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioab166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The vertebrate female reproductive tract has undergone considerable diversification over evolution, having become physiologically adapted to different reproductive strategies. This review considers the female reproductive tract from the perspective of evolutionary developmental biology (evo-devo). Very little is known about how the evolution of this organ system has been driven at the molecular level. In most vertebrates, the female reproductive tract develops from paired embryonic tubes, the Müllerian ducts. We propose that formation of the Müllerian duct is a conserved process that has involved co-option of genes and molecular pathways involved in tubulogenesis in the adjacent mesonephric kidney and Wolffian duct. Downstream of this conservation, genetic regulatory divergence has occurred, generating diversity in duct structure. Plasticity of the Hox gene code and wnt signaling, in particular, may underlie morphological variation of the uterus in mammals, and evolution of the vagina. This developmental plasticity in Hox and Wnt activity may also apply to other vertebrates, generating the morphological diversity of female reproductive tracts evident today.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew T Major
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800. Australia
| | - Martin A Estermann
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800. Australia
| | - Zahida Y Roly
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800. Australia
| | - Craig A Smith
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800. Australia
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Santana Gonzalez L, Rota IA, Artibani M, Morotti M, Hu Z, Wietek N, Alsaadi A, Albukhari A, Sauka-Spengler T, Ahmed AA. Mechanistic Drivers of Müllerian Duct Development and Differentiation Into the Oviduct. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:605301. [PMID: 33763415 PMCID: PMC7982813 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.605301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The conduits of life; the animal oviducts and human fallopian tubes are of paramount importance for reproduction in amniotes. They connect the ovary with the uterus and are essential for fertility. They provide the appropriate environment for gamete maintenance, fertilization and preimplantation embryonic development. However, serious pathologies, such as ectopic pregnancy, malignancy and severe infections, occur in the oviducts. They can have drastic effects on fertility, and some are life-threatening. Despite the crucial importance of the oviducts in life, relatively little is known about the molecular drivers underpinning the embryonic development of their precursor structures, the Müllerian ducts, and their successive differentiation and maturation. The Müllerian ducts are simple rudimentary tubes comprised of an epithelial lumen surrounded by a mesenchymal layer. They differentiate into most of the adult female reproductive tract (FRT). The earliest sign of Müllerian duct formation is the thickening of the anterior mesonephric coelomic epithelium to form a placode of two distinct progenitor cells. It is proposed that one subset of progenitor cells undergoes partial epithelial-mesenchymal transition (pEMT), differentiating into immature Müllerian luminal cells, and another subset undergoes complete EMT to become Müllerian mesenchymal cells. These cells invaginate and proliferate forming the Müllerian ducts. Subsequently, pEMT would be reversed to generate differentiated epithelial cells lining the fully formed Müllerian lumen. The anterior Müllerian epithelial cells further specialize into the oviduct epithelial subtypes. This review highlights the key established molecular and genetic determinants of the processes involved in Müllerian duct development and the differentiation of its upper segment into oviducts. Furthermore, an extensive genome-wide survey of mouse knockout lines displaying Müllerian or oviduct phenotypes was undertaken. In addition to widely established genetic determinants of Müllerian duct development, our search has identified surprising associations between loss-of-function of several genes and high-penetrance abnormalities in the Müllerian duct and/or oviducts. Remarkably, these associations have not been investigated in any detail. Finally, we discuss future directions for research on Müllerian duct development and oviducts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Santana Gonzalez
- MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Ioanna A Rota
- MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Developmental Immunology Research Group, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Mara Artibani
- MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Gene Regulatory Networks in Development and Disease Laboratory, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Matteo Morotti
- MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Zhiyuan Hu
- MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Nina Wietek
- MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Abdulkhaliq Alsaadi
- MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Ashwag Albukhari
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Tatjana Sauka-Spengler
- MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Gene Regulatory Networks in Development and Disease Laboratory, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Ahmed A Ahmed
- MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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