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Yang Y, Li F, Du L. Therapeutic nanobodies against SARS-CoV-2 and other pathogenic human coronaviruses. J Nanobiotechnology 2024; 22:304. [PMID: 38822339 PMCID: PMC11140877 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-024-02573-7] [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: 02/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Nanobodies, single-domain antibodies derived from variable domain of camelid or shark heavy-chain antibodies, have unique properties with small size, strong binding affinity, easy construction in versatile formats, high neutralizing activity, protective efficacy, and manufactural capacity on a large-scale. Nanobodies have been arisen as an effective research tool for development of nanobiotechnologies with a variety of applications. Three highly pathogenic coronaviruses (CoVs), SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and MERS-CoV, have caused serious outbreaks or a global pandemic, and continue to post a threat to public health worldwide. The viral spike (S) protein and its cognate receptor-binding domain (RBD), which initiate viral entry and play a critical role in virus pathogenesis, are important therapeutic targets. This review describes pathogenic human CoVs, including viral structures and proteins, and S protein-mediated viral entry process. It also summarizes recent advances in development of nanobodies targeting these CoVs, focusing on those targeting the S protein and RBD. Finally, we discuss potential strategies to improve the efficacy of nanobodies against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants and other CoVs with pandemic potential. It will provide important information for rational design and evaluation of therapeutic agents against emerging and reemerging pathogens.
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MESH Headings
- Single-Domain Antibodies/immunology
- Single-Domain Antibodies/pharmacology
- Single-Domain Antibodies/therapeutic use
- Single-Domain Antibodies/chemistry
- Humans
- SARS-CoV-2/immunology
- Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/immunology
- Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/chemistry
- Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/metabolism
- Animals
- COVID-19/virology
- COVID-19/immunology
- COVID-19/therapy
- Coronavirus Infections/drug therapy
- Coronavirus Infections/immunology
- Coronavirus Infections/virology
- Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus/immunology
- Virus Internalization/drug effects
- Pandemics
- Betacoronavirus/immunology
- Antibodies, Viral/immunology
- Antibodies, Viral/therapeutic use
- Pneumonia, Viral/drug therapy
- Pneumonia, Viral/virology
- Pneumonia, Viral/immunology
- Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus/immunology
- Antibodies, Neutralizing/immunology
- Antibodies, Neutralizing/therapeutic use
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Yang
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Fang Li
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
- Center for Coronavirus Research, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
| | - Lanying Du
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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2
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Seo H, Jang Y, Kwak D. Inactivated Split MERS-CoV Antigen Prevents Lethal Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Infections in Mice. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:436. [PMID: 38675818 PMCID: PMC11053775 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12040436] [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: 03/18/2024] [Revised: 04/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) causes fatal infections, with about 36% mortality in humans, and is endemic to the Middle East. MERS-CoV uses human dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (hDPP4) as a receptor for infection. Despite continued research efforts, no licensed vaccine is available for protection against this disease in humans. Therefore, this study sought to develop an inactivated fragmented MERS-CoV vaccine grown in Vero cells in an hDPP4-transgenic mouse model. Two-dose immunisation in mice with 15, 20, or 25 μg of spike proteins of inactivated split MERS-CoV antigens induced neutralising antibodies, with titres ranging from NT 80 to 1280. In addition, all immunised mice were completely protected, with no virus detection in tissues, weight loss, or mortality. The immunised splenocytes produced more cytokines that stimulate immune response (IFN-γ and TNF-α) than those that regulate it (IL-4 and IL-10). Taken together, the inactivated fragmented MERS-CoV vaccine is effective for the protection of mice against lethal MERS-CoV. Thus, the inactivated fragmented MERS-CoV vaccine warrants further testing in other hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heejeong Seo
- PioneerVaccine, Inc., Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea;
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyunpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Yunyueng Jang
- PioneerVaccine, Inc., Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea;
| | - Dongmi Kwak
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyunpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
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Biswas S, Mita MA, Afrose S, Hasan MR, Shimu MSS, Zaman S, Saleh MA. An in silico approach to develop potential therapies against Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV). Heliyon 2024; 10:e25837. [PMID: 38379969 PMCID: PMC10877303 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e25837] [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: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
A deadly respiratory disease Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) is caused by a perilous virus known as MERS-CoV, which has a severe impact on human health. Currently, there is no approved vaccine, prophylaxis, or antiviral therapeutics for preventing MERS-CoV infection. Due to its inexorable and integral role in the maturation and replication of the MERS-CoV virus, the 3C-like protease is unavoidly a viable therapeutic target. In this study, 2369 phytoconstituents were enlisted from Japanese medicinal plants, and these compounds were screened against 3C-like protease to identify feasible inhibitors. The best three compounds were identified as Kihadanin B, Robustaflavone, and 3-beta-O- (trans-p-Coumaroyl) maslinic acid, with binding energies of -9.8, -9.4, and -9.2 kcal/mol, respectively. The top three potential candidates interacted with several active site residues in the targeted protein, including Cys145, Met168, Glu169, Ala171, and Gln192. The best three compounds were assessed by in silico technique to determine their drug-likeness properties, and they exhibited the least harmful features and the greatest drug-like qualities. Various descriptors, such as solvent-accessible surface area, root-mean-square fluctuation, root-mean-square deviation, hydrogen bond, and radius of gyration, validated the stability and firmness of the protein-ligand complexes throughout the 100ns molecular dynamics simulation. Moreover, the top three compounds exhibited better binding energy along with better stability and firmness than the inhibitor (Nafamostat), which was further confirmed by the binding free energy calculation. Therefore, this computational investigation could aid in the development of efficient therapeutics for life-threatening MERS-CoV infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suvro Biswas
- Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, 6205, Bangladesh
| | - Mohasana Akter Mita
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, 6205, Bangladesh
| | - Shamima Afrose
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, 6205, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Robiul Hasan
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, 6205, Bangladesh
| | | | - Shahriar Zaman
- Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, 6205, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Abu Saleh
- Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, 6205, Bangladesh
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Guan X, Verma AK, Wang G, Shi J, Perlman S, Du L. Glycosylated Delta-receptor-binding domain mucosal vaccine elicits broadly neutralizing antibodies with protection against SARS-CoV-2 challenge. iScience 2023; 26:108033. [PMID: 37822493 PMCID: PMC10563057 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108033] [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: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Mucosal COVID-19 vaccines are needed to block SARS-CoV-2 infection at the mucosal site. Intranasal delivery of a glycosylated Delta variant receptor-binding domain (Delta-RBD) mucosal vaccine elicited potent and balanced systemic antibody titers comparable to those induced by the intramuscular injection of the same vaccine or Omicron-S subunit vaccine, as well as high mucosal IgA antibody responses. It elicited broadly neutralizing antibodies against the original SARS-CoV-2 strain, Delta and Omicron BA1/BA2 variants, completely protecting transgenic mice from lethal challenge with a Delta variant, including complete absence of weight loss. Of note, intramuscular priming with the Omicron-S protein followed by intranasal boosting with the Delta-RBD protein improved the vaccine's ability to generate broad-spectrum neutralizing antibodies against recent BA5 and XBB Omicron variants. Overall, this vaccine has the potential to prevent the SARS-CoV-2 infection of the respiratory mucosa, while the i.m. priming and i.n. boosting vaccination strategy may offer protection against known and emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqing Guan
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Abhishek K. Verma
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Gang Wang
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Juan Shi
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Stanley Perlman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Lanying Du
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
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Tai W, Zheng J, Zhang X, Shi J, Wang G, Guan X, Zhu J, Perlman S, Du L. MERS-CoV RBD-mRNA vaccine induces potent and broadly neutralizing antibodies with protection against MERS-CoV infection. Virus Res 2023; 334:199156. [PMID: 37336390 PMCID: PMC10278997 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2023.199156] [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: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), a highly pathogenic coronavirus in the same Betacoronavirus genus and Coronaviridae family as SARS-CoV-2, continues to post a threat to human health. Mortality remains high; therefore, there is a need to develop effective vaccines to prevent MERS-CoV infection. The receptor-binding domain (RBD) within the MERS-CoV spike (S) protein is a critical vaccine target. The latest mRNA technology has enabled rapid development of much-needed vaccines with high efficiency and scalable manufacturing capacity. Here, we designed a mRNA vaccine encoding the RBD of MERS-CoV S protein (RBD-mRNA) and evaluated its immunogenicity and protective efficacy in a mouse model. The data showed that nucleoside-modified RBD-mRNA, but not RBD-mRNA lacking the nucleoside modification, was stable and elicited broadly and durable neutralizing antibody and cellular immune responses, which neutralized the original strain and multiple MERS-CoV variants. Among all immunization routes tested, the intradermal route was appropriate for this RBD-mRNA to induce strong B-cell responses and the highest neutralizing antibody titers. Importantly, injection of nucleoside-modified RBD-mRNA through the intradermal route protected immunized mice against challenge with MERS-CoV. This protection correlated with serum neutralizing antibody titers. Overall, we have developed an effective MERS-CoV RBD-based mRNA vaccine (with potential for further development) that prevents infection by divergent strains of MERS-CoV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanbo Tai
- Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jian Zheng
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Center for Predictive Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Xiujuan Zhang
- Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Juan Shi
- Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY, USA; Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Gang Wang
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Xiaoqing Guan
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jiang Zhu
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Stanley Perlman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.
| | - Lanying Du
- Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY, USA; Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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Guan X, Yang Y, Du L. Advances in SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain-based COVID-19 vaccines. Expert Rev Vaccines 2023; 22:422-439. [PMID: 37161869 PMCID: PMC10355161 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2023.2211153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused devastating human and economic costs. Vaccination is an important step in controlling the pandemic. Severe acute respiratory coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of COVID-19, infects cells by binding a cellular receptor through the receptor-binding domain (RBD) within the S1 subunit of the spike (S) protein. Viral entry and membrane fusion are mediated by the S2 subunit. AREAS COVERED SARS-CoV-2 S protein, particularly RBD, serves as an important target for vaccines. Here we review the structure and function of SARS-CoV-2 S protein and its RBD, summarize current COVID-19 vaccines targeting the RBD, and outline potential strategies for improving RBD-based vaccines. Overall, this review provides important information that will facilitate rational design and development of safer and more effective COVID-19 vaccines. EXPERT OPINION The S protein of SARS-CoV-2 harbors numerous mutations, mostly in the RBD, resulting in multiple variant strains. Although many COVID-19 vaccines targeting the RBD of original virus strain (and previous variants) can prevent infection of these strains, their ability against recent dominant variants, particularly Omicron and its offspring, is significantly reduced. Collective efforts are needed to develop effective broad-spectrum vaccines to control current and future variants that have pandemic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqing Guan
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Yang Yang
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Lanying Du
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
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Tai W, Zhang X, Yang Y, Zhu J, Du L. Advances in mRNA and other vaccines against MERS-CoV. Transl Res 2022; 242:20-37. [PMID: 34801748 PMCID: PMC8603276 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2021.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a highly pathogenic human coronavirus (CoV). Belonging to the same beta-CoV genus as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-1 (SARS-CoV-1) and SARS-CoV-2, MERS-CoV has a significantly higher fatality rate with limited human-to-human transmissibility. MERS-CoV causes sporadic outbreaks, but no vaccines have yet been approved for use in humans, thus calling for continued efforts to develop effective vaccines against this important CoV. Similar to SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2, MERS-CoV contains 4 structural proteins, among which the surface spike (S) protein has been used as a core component in the majority of currently developed MERS-CoV vaccines. Here, we illustrate the importance of the MERS-CoV S protein as a key vaccine target and provide an update on the currently developed MERS-CoV vaccines, including those based on DNAs, proteins, virus-like particles or nanoparticles, and viral vectors. Additionally, we describe approaches for designing MERS-CoV mRNA vaccines and explore the role and importance of naturally occurring pseudo-nucleosides in the design of effective MERS-CoV mRNA vaccines. This review also provides useful insights into designing and evaluating mRNA vaccines against other viral pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanbo Tai
- Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, New York
| | - Xiujuan Zhang
- Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, New York
| | - Yang Yang
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
| | - Jiang Zhu
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, Califonia; Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Lanying Du
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia.
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Du L, Yang Y, Zhang X, Li F. Recent advances in nanotechnology-based COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutic antibodies. NANOSCALE 2022; 14:1054-1074. [PMID: 35018939 PMCID: PMC8863106 DOI: 10.1039/d1nr03831a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 has caused a global pandemic and millions of deaths. It is imperative to develop effective countermeasures against the causative viral agent, SARS-CoV-2 and its many variants. Vaccines and therapeutic antibodies are the most effective approaches for preventing and treating COVID-19, respectively. SARS-CoV-2 enters host cells through the activities of the virus-surface spike (S) protein. Accordingly, the S protein is a prime target for vaccines and therapeutic antibodies. Dealing with particles with dimensions on the scale of nanometers, nanotechnology has emerged as a critical tool for rapidly designing and developing safe, effective, and urgently needed vaccines and therapeutics to control the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, nanotechnology was key to the fast-track approval of two mRNA vaccines for their wide use in human populations. In this review article, we first explore the roles of nanotechnology in battling COVID-19, including protein nanoparticles (for presentation of protein vaccines), lipid nanoparticles (for formulation with mRNAs), and nanobodies (as unique therapeutic antibodies). We then summarize the currently available COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics based on nanotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lanying Du
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Yang Yang
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Xiujuan Zhang
- Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Fang Li
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA
- Center for Coronavirus Research, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA.
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Abstract
The emergence and spread of infectious diseases with pandemic potential occurred regularly throughout history. Major pandemics and epidemics such as plague, cholera, flu, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) have already afflicted humanity. The world is now facing the new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Many infectious diseases leading to pandemics are caused by zoonotic pathogens that were transmitted to humans due to increased contacts with animals through breeding, hunting and global trade activities. The understanding of the mechanisms of transmission of pathogens to humans allowed the establishment of methods to prevent and control infections. During centuries, implementation of public health measures such as isolation, quarantine and border control helped to contain the spread of infectious diseases and maintain the structure of the society. In the absence of pharmaceutical interventions, these containment methods have still been used nowadays to control COVID-19 pandemic. Global surveillance programs of water-borne pathogens, vector-borne diseases and zoonotic spillovers at the animal-human interface are of prime importance to rapidly detect the emergence of infectious threats. Novel technologies for rapid diagnostic testing, contact tracing, drug repurposing, biomarkers of disease severity as well as new platforms for the development and production of vaccines are needed for an effective response in case of pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jocelyne Piret
- CHU de Québec - Laval University, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Guy Boivin
- CHU de Québec - Laval University, Quebec City, QC, Canada
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