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Chen H, Lee SJ, Li R, Sura A, Suen N, Dilip A, Pomogov Y, Vuppalapaty M, Suen TT, Lu C, Post Y, Li Y. BRAIDing receptors for cell-specific targeting. eLife 2024; 12:RP90221. [PMID: 38193894 PMCID: PMC10945505 DOI: 10.7554/elife.90221] [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] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Systemic toxicity is a major challenge in the development of therapeutics. Consequently, cell-type-specific targeting is needed to improve on-target efficacy while reducing off-target toxicity. Here, we describe a cell-targeting system we have termed BRAID (BRidged Activation by Intra/intermolecular Division) whereby an active molecule is divided into two inactive or less active parts that are subsequently brought together via a so-called 'bridging receptor' on the target cell. This concept was validated using the WNT/β-catenin signaling system, demonstrating that a multivalent WNT agonist molecule divided into two inactive components assembled from different epitopes via the hepatocyte receptor βKlotho induces signaling specifically on hepatocytes. These data provide proof of concept for this cell-specific targeting strategy, and in principle, this may also allow activation of multiple signaling pathways where desirable. This approach has broad application potential for other receptor systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Chen
- Surrozen IncSouth San FranciscoUnited States
| | | | - Ryan Li
- Surrozen IncSouth San FranciscoUnited States
| | - Asmiti Sura
- Surrozen IncSouth San FranciscoUnited States
| | | | | | - Yan Pomogov
- Surrozen IncSouth San FranciscoUnited States
| | | | | | | | - Yorick Post
- Surrozen IncSouth San FranciscoUnited States
| | - Yang Li
- Surrozen IncSouth San FranciscoUnited States
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2
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Way JC, Burrill DR, Silver PA. Bioinspired Design of Artificial Signaling Systems. Biochemistry 2023; 62:178-186. [PMID: 35984429 PMCID: PMC9851155 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.2c00368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Natural systems use weak interactions and avidity effects to give biological systems high specificity and signal-to-noise ratios. Here we describe design principles for engineering fusion proteins that target therapeutic fusion proteins to membrane-bound signaling receptors by first binding to designer-chosen co-receptors on the same cell surface. The key design elements are separate protein modules, one that has no signaling activity and binds to a cell surface receptor with high affinity and a second that binds to a receptor with low or moderate affinity and carries out a desired signaling or inhibitory activity. These principles are inspired by natural cytokines such as CNTF, IL-2, and IL-4 that bind strongly to nonsignaling receptors and then signal through low-affinity receptors. Such designs take advantage of the fact that when a protein is anchored to a cell membrane, its local concentration is extremely high with respect to those of other membrane proteins, so a second-step, low-affinity binding event is favored. Protein engineers have used these principles to design treatments for cancer, anemia, hypoxia, and HIV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey C. Way
- General
Biologics, Inc., 108
Fayerweather Street, Unit 2, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Devin R. Burrill
- Department
of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, 210 Longwood Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Pamela A. Silver
- Department
of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, 210 Longwood Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
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3
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Bhukhai K, Fouquet G, Rittavee Y, Tanhuad N, Lakmuang C, Borwornpinyo S, Anurathapan U, Suksamrarn A, Piyachaturawat P, Chairoungdua A, Hermine O, Hongeng S. Enhancing Erythropoiesis by a Phytoestrogen Diarylheptanoid from Curcuma comosa. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10061427. [PMID: 35740448 PMCID: PMC9219836 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10061427] [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] [Received: 05/07/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Erythropoietin (Epo) is widely used for the treatment of anemia; however, non-hematopoietic effects and cancer risk limit its clinical applications. Therefore, alternative molecules to improve erythropoiesis in anemia patients are urgently needed. Here, we investigated the potential effects of a phytoestrogen diarylheptanoid (3R)-1,7-diphenyl-(4E,6E)-4,6-heptadien-3-ol, (ASPP 049) isolated from Curcuma comosa on promoting erythropoiesis. Treatment with C. comosa extract improved anemia symptoms demonstrated by increasing red blood cell numbers, hematocrit, and hemoglobin content in anemic mice. In addition, ASPP 049, the major compound isolated from C. comosa, enhanced the suboptimal Epo dosages to improve erythroid cell differentiation from hematopoietic stem cells, which was inhibited by the estrogen receptor (ER) antagonist, ICI 182,780. Moreover, the ASPP 049-activated Epo-Epo receptor (EpoR) complex subsequently induced phosphorylation of EpoR-mediated erythropoiesis pathways: STAT5, MAPK/ERK, and PI3K/AKT in Epo-sensitive UT-7 cells. Taken together, these results suggest that C. comosa extract and ASPP 049 increased erythropoiesis through ER- and EpoR-mediated signaling cascades. Our findings provide insight into the specific interaction between a phytoestrogen diarylheptanoid and Epo-EpoR in a hematopoietic system for the potential treatment of anemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanit Bhukhai
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (N.T.); (P.P.); (A.C.)
- Correspondence: (K.B.); (S.H.); Tel.: +66-22015614 (K.B.); +66-22011495 (S.H.)
| | - Guillemette Fouquet
- Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire Imagine, Université Sorbonne Paris Cité, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Necker, 75015 Paris, France; (G.F.); (O.H.)
- INSERM U1163 and CNRS ERL8254, Université Paris Descartes, Faculté de Médecine, Hôpital Necker, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Yutthana Rittavee
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand;
| | - Nopmullee Tanhuad
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (N.T.); (P.P.); (A.C.)
| | - Chaiyaporn Lakmuang
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand;
| | - Suparerk Borwornpinyo
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand;
- Excellent Center for Drug Discovery, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Usanarat Anurathapan
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand;
| | - Apichart Suksamrarn
- Department of Chemistry and Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Ramkhamhaeng University, Bangkok 10240, Thailand;
| | - Pawinee Piyachaturawat
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (N.T.); (P.P.); (A.C.)
| | - Arthit Chairoungdua
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (N.T.); (P.P.); (A.C.)
- Excellent Center for Drug Discovery, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Olivier Hermine
- Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire Imagine, Université Sorbonne Paris Cité, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Necker, 75015 Paris, France; (G.F.); (O.H.)
- INSERM U1163 and CNRS ERL8254, Université Paris Descartes, Faculté de Médecine, Hôpital Necker, 75015 Paris, France
- Laboratory of Excellence GReX, 75015 Paris, France
- Service d’Hématologie Clinique Adultes, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Necker, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Suradej Hongeng
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand;
- Correspondence: (K.B.); (S.H.); Tel.: +66-22015614 (K.B.); +66-22011495 (S.H.)
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4
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Lee J, Vernet A, Gruber NG, Kready KM, Burrill DR, Way JC, Silver PA. Rational engineering of an erythropoietin fusion protein to treat hypoxia. Protein Eng Des Sel 2021; 34:6414420. [PMID: 34725710 DOI: 10.1093/protein/gzab025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Erythropoietin enhances oxygen delivery and reduces hypoxia-induced cell death, but its pro-thrombotic activity is problematic for use of erythropoietin in treating hypoxia. We constructed a fusion protein that stimulates red blood cell production and neuroprotection without triggering platelet production, a marker for thrombosis. The protein consists of an anti-glycophorin A nanobody and an erythropoietin mutant (L108A). The mutation reduces activation of erythropoietin receptor homodimers that induce erythropoiesis and thrombosis, but maintains the tissue-protective signaling. The binding of the nanobody element to glycophorin A rescues homodimeric erythropoietin receptor activation on red blood cell precursors. In a cell proliferation assay, the fusion protein is active at 10-14 M, allowing an estimate of the number of receptor-ligand complexes needed for signaling. This fusion protein stimulates erythroid cell proliferation in vitro and in mice, and shows neuroprotective activity in vitro. Our erythropoietin fusion protein presents a novel molecule for treating hypoxia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jungmin Lee
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.,Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Andyna Vernet
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Nathalie G Gruber
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.,Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA.,Institute of Science and Technology Austria, 3400 Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - Kasia M Kready
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Devin R Burrill
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.,Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jeffrey C Way
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.,Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA.,Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Pamela A Silver
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.,Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA.,Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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5
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Chiu PC, Liou HC, Ling TY, Shen LJ. Development of a Neuroprotective Erythropoietin Modified with a Novel Carrier for the Blood-Brain Barrier. Neurotherapeutics 2020; 17:1184-1196. [PMID: 32144722 PMCID: PMC7609523 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-020-00845-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Extremely high doses of erythropoietin (EPO) has been used for neuroprotection in ischemia-reperfusion brain injury to deliver sufficient amounts of EPO across the blood-brain barrier (BBB); however, harmful outcomes were observed afterward. We aimed to test the ability of HBHAc (heparin-binding haemagglutinin adhesion c), an intracellular delivery peptide for macromolecules, as an EPO carrier across the BBB. The cellular internalization and transcytosis ability of HBHAc-modified EPO (EPO-HBHAc) were evaluated in bEnd.3 cells and in the bEnd.3/CTX TNA2 co-culture BBB model, respectively. Subsequently, the NMDA-induced-toxicity model and ischemia-reperfusion rat model were used to understand the neuronal protective activity of EPO-HBHAc. The biodistribution of EPO-HBHAc was demonstrated in rats by the quantification of EPO-HBHAc in the brain, plasma, and organs by ELISA. Our results demonstrate that EPO-HBHAc exhibited significantly higher cellular internalization in dose- and time-dependent manners and better transcytosis ability than EPO. In addition, the transported EPO-HBHAc in the co-culture transwell system maintained the neuronal protective activity when primary rat cortical neurons underwent NMDA-induced toxicity. The calculated cerebral infarction area of rats treated with EPO-HBHAc was significantly reduced compared to that of rats treated with EPO (29.9 ± 7.0% vs 48.9 ± 7.9%) 24 h after occlusion in 3VO rat experiments. Moreover, the EPO amount in both CSF and damaged cortex from the EPO-HBHAc group was 4.0-fold and 3.0-fold higher than the EPO group, respectively. These results suggest that HBHAc would be a favorable tool for EPO brain delivery and would further extend the clinical applications of EPO in neuroprotection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Po-Chuan Chiu
- School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Houng-Chi Liou
- Department and Graduate Institute of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Thai-Yen Ling
- Department and Graduate Institute of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Li-Jiuan Shen
- School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
- Department of Pharmacy, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
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Abstract
Bispecific therapeutics target two distinct antigens simultaneously and provide novel functionalities that are not attainable with single monospecific molecules or combinations of them. The unique potential of bispecific therapeutics is driving extensive efforts to discover synergistic dual targets, design molecular formats to integrate bispecific elements, and accelerate successful clinical translation. In particular, the past decade has witnessed a boom in the design and development of bispecific antibody formats with more than 100 collections to date. Despite the remarkable progress that has been made to expand the number of formats, qualitative fine-tuning of bispecific formats is needed to achieve optimal dual-target engagement based on understanding of the spatiotemporal interdependence of the two physically linked binding specificities and the complex target biology associated with bispecific approaches. This review provides insights into the design parameters - including affinity, valency, and geometry - that need to be considered at an early stage of development in order to take the best advantage of bispecific therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung In Lim
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pukyong National University, Yongso-ro 45, Nam-gu, Busan, South Korea.
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7
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Lee J, Vernet A, Redfield K, Lu S, Ghiran IC, Way JC, Silver PA. Rational Design of a Bifunctional AND-Gate Ligand To Modulate Cell-Cell Interactions. ACS Synth Biol 2020; 9:191-197. [PMID: 31834794 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.9b00273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Protein "AND-gate" systems, in which a ligand acts only on cells with two different receptors, direct signaling activity to a particular cell type and avoid action on other cells. In a bifunctional AND-gate protein, the molecular geometry of the protein domains is crucial. Here we constructed a tissue-targeted erythropoietin (EPO) that stimulates red blood cell (RBC) production without triggering thrombosis. The EPO was directed to RBC precursors and mature RBCs by fusion to an anti-glycophorin A antibody V region. Many such constructs activated EPO receptors in vitro and stimulated RBC and not platelet production in mice but nonetheless enhanced thrombosis in mice and caused adhesion between RBCs and EPO-receptor-bearing cells. On the basis of a protein-structural model of the RBC surface, we rationally designed an anti-glycophorin-EPO fusion that does not induce cell adhesion in vitro or enhance thrombosis in vivo. Thus, mesoscale geometry can inform the design of synthetic-biological systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jungmin Lee
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology , Harvard University , Cambridge , Massachusetts 02138 , United States
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University , Boston , Massachusetts 02115 , United States
| | - Andyna Vernet
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University , Boston , Massachusetts 02115 , United States
| | - Katherine Redfield
- Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology , Cambridge , Massachusetts 02139 , United States
| | - Shulin Lu
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center , Harvard Medical School , Boston , Massachusetts 02115 , United States
| | - Ionita C Ghiran
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center , Harvard Medical School , Boston , Massachusetts 02115 , United States
| | - Jeffrey C Way
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University , Boston , Massachusetts 02115 , United States
| | - Pamela A Silver
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University , Boston , Massachusetts 02115 , United States
- Department of Systems Biology , Harvard Medical School , Boston , Massachusetts 02115 , United States
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8
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9
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Mechanisms and mediators of hypertension induced by erythropoietin and related molecules. Nephrol Dial Transplant 2017; 33:1690-1698. [DOI: 10.1093/ndt/gfx324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2017] [Accepted: 10/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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10
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Javan GT, Salhotra A, Finley SJ, Soni S. Erythroblast macrophage protein (Emp): Past, present, and future. Eur J Haematol 2017; 100:3-9. [DOI: 10.1111/ejh.12983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gulnaz T. Javan
- Physical Sciences Department Forensic Science Program Alabama State University Montgomery AL USA
| | | | - Sheree J. Finley
- Physical Sciences Department Alabama State University Montgomery AL USA
| | - Shivani Soni
- Department of Biological Sciences California State University Fullerton CA USA
- Department of Biological Science Schmid College of Science and Technology Chapman University Irvine CA USA
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Liu Y, Hu Z, Yang C, Wang S, Wang W, Zhang Q. A post-genome-wide association study validating the association of the glycophorin C gene with serum hemoglobin level in pig. ASIAN-AUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCES 2017; 30:638-642. [PMID: 28446001 PMCID: PMC5411822 DOI: 10.5713/ajas.16.0409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2016] [Revised: 08/31/2016] [Accepted: 11/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Objective This study aimed to validate the statistical evidence from the genome-wide association study (GWAS) as true-positive and to better understand the effects of the glycophorin C (GYPC) gene on serum hemoglobin traits. Methods Our initial GWAS revealed the presence of two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (ASGA0069038 and ALGA0084612) for the hemoglobin concentration trait (HGB) in the 2.48 Mb region of SSC15. From this target region, GYPC was selected as a promising gene that associated with serum HGB traits in pigs. SNPs within the GYPC gene were detected by sequencing. Thereafter, we performed association analysis of the variant with the serum hemoglobin level in three pig populations. Results We identified one SNP (g.29625094 T>C) in exon 3 of the GYPC gene. Statistical analysis showed a significant association of the SNP with the serum hemoglobin level on day 20 (p<0.05). By quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, the GYPC gene was expressed in eight different tissues. Conclusion These results might improve our understanding of GYPC function and provide evidence for its association with serum hemoglobin traits in the pig. These results also indicate that the GYPC gene might serve as a useful marker in pig breeding programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Liu
- Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Zhengzheng Hu
- Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Chen Yang
- Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Shiwei Wang
- Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Wenwen Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Qin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
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