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In situ transduction of cells in human corneal limbus using adeno-associated viruses: an ex vivo study. Sci Rep 2022; 12:22481. [PMID: 36577775 PMCID: PMC9797548 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-26926-0] [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: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of in situ adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated gene delivery into the human corneal limbal region via targeted sub-limbal injection technique. Human cadaveric corneal tissues were fixed on an artificial anterior chamber. Feasibility of sub-limbal injection technique was tested using trypan blue and black India ink. An enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) encoding AAV DJ was injected into sub-limbal region. After AAV injection, corneal tissues were incubated in air-lift culture and prepared for immunohistochemical analysis. Cell survivial and expression of eGFP, stem cell markers (p63α and cytokeratin 19 (KRT19)), and differentiation marker cytokeratin 3 (KRT3) were evaluated using confocal microscopy. Both trypan blue and black India ink stained and were retained sub-limbally establishing specificity of the injection technique. Immunohistochemical analysis of corneas injected with AAV DJ-eGFP indicated that AAV-transduced cells in the limbal region co-express eGFP, p63α, and KRT19 and that these transduced cells were capable of differentiating to KRT3 postitive corneal epithelial cells. Our sub-limbal injection technique can target cells in the human limbus in a reproducible and efficient manner. Thus, we demonstrate that in situ injection of corneal limbus may provide a feasible mode of genetic therapy for corneal disorders with an epithelial etiology.
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Valdivia E, Bertolin M, Breda C, Carvalho Oliveira M, Salz AK, Hofmann N, Börgel M, Blasczyk R, Ferrari S, Figueiredo C. Genetic Modification of Limbal Stem Cells to Decrease Allogeneic Immune Responses. Front Immunol 2021; 12:747357. [PMID: 34956181 PMCID: PMC8696204 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.747357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Limbal stem cell (LSC) transplantation is the only efficient treatment for patients affected by LSC deficiency (LSCD). Allogeneic LSC transplantation is one of the most successful alternative for patients with bilateral LSCD. Nevertheless, the high variability of the human leukocyte antigens (HLA) remains a relevant obstacle to long-term allogeneic graft survival. This study characterized the immunologic properties of LSCs and proposed a genetic engineering strategy to reduce the immunogenicity of LSCs and of their derivatives. Hence, LSC HLA expression was silenced using lentiviral vectors encoding for short hairpin (sh) RNAs targeting β2-microglobulin (β2M) or class II major histocompatibility complex transactivator (CIITA) to silence HLA class I and II respectively. Beside the constitutive expression of HLA class I, LSCs showed the capability to upregulate HLA class II expression under inflammatory conditions. Furthermore, LSCs demonstrated the capability to induce T-cell mediated immune responses. LSCs phenotypical and functional characteristics are not disturbed after genetic modification. However, HLA silenced LSC showed to prevent T cell activation, proliferation and cytotoxicity in comparison to fully HLA-expressing LSCs. Additionally; HLA-silenced LSCs were protected against antibody-mediated cellular-dependent cytotoxicity. Our data is a proof-of-concept of the feasibility to generate low immunogenic human LSCs without affecting their typical features. The use of low immunogenic LSCs may support for long-term survival of LSCs and their derivatives after allogeneic transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilio Valdivia
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine and Transplant Engineering, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Claudia Breda
- Fondazione Banca degli Occhi del Veneto, Venice, Italy
| | | | | | - Nicola Hofmann
- German Society for Tissue Transplantation (DGFG), Hannover, Germany
| | - Martin Börgel
- German Society for Tissue Transplantation (DGFG), Hannover, Germany
| | - Rainer Blasczyk
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine and Transplant Engineering, Hannover, Germany
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Pu Q, Ma Q, Li J, Li G, Li XY. Soft substrate stiffness modifies corneal epithelial stem cell phenotype through hippo-YAP/notch pathway crosstalk. Med Hypotheses 2021; 156:110687. [PMID: 34627046 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2021.110687] [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: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Corneal disease remains to be one of the leading causes of blindness in the world and limbal stem cell (LSC) therapy is a promising therapy for LSC deficiency, which is associated with the diseased corneal epithelium repair. Soft substrate could effectively promote the stemness maintenance of LSC and thus modification of cell culture substrate would help in the potential LSC deficiency therapy. Both Hippo-Yes-associated protein (YAP) and Notch pathway have been reported to affect the LSC function, however, the detailed mechanisms remain unclear. Instead of some soft but biologically toxic substrates, we present a hypothesis on the application of soft substrate generated by HA/PTX3, an FDA approved nontoxic drug, on the LSC culture in this current study. Soft substrate could help in the stemness maintenance and thus promote the LSC deficiency treatment. In more detailed mechanism detection, we hypothesize that soft substrate would block the activation of Hippo-YAP pathway and thus decrease the activity of Notch pathway. This proposed hypothesis should be evaluated by both a series of in-vitro experiments based on soft and stiff substrates and in-vivo treatment with LSC cultured in different conditions. Advanced experiments on related cellular behaviors and detailed molecular mechanisms would provide us more knowledge on the molecular mechanism detection as well as cell transplantation therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Pu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China
| | - Qian Ma
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China
| | - Guigang Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China
| | - Xin-Yu Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China.
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Paknahad AA, Kerr L, Wong DA, Kolios MC, Tsai SSH. Biomedical nanobubbles and opportunities for microfluidics. RSC Adv 2021; 11:32750-32774. [PMID: 35493576 PMCID: PMC9042222 DOI: 10.1039/d1ra04890b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of bulk nanobubbles in biomedicine is increasing in recent years, which is attributable to the array of therapeutic and diagnostic tools promised by developing bulk nanobubble technologies. From cancer drug delivery and ultrasound contrast enhancement to malaria detection and the diagnosis of acute donor tissue rejection, the potential applications of bulk nanobubbles are broad and diverse. Developing these technologies to the point of clinical use may significantly impact the quality of patient care. This review compiles and summarizes a representative collection of the current applications, fabrication techniques, and characterization methods of bulk nanobubbles in biomedicine. Current state-of-the-art generation methods are not designed to create nanobubbles of high concentration and low polydispersity, both characteristics of which are important for several bulk nanobubble applications. To date, microfluidics has not been widely considered as a tool for generating nanobubbles, even though the small-scale precision and real-time control offered by microfluidics may overcome the challenges mentioned above. We suggest possible uses of microfluidics for improving the quality of bulk nanobubble populations and propose ways of leveraging existing microfluidic technologies, such as organ-on-a-chip platforms, to expand the experimental toolbox of researchers working to develop biomedical nanobubbles. The use of bulk nanobubbles in biomedicine is increasing in recent years. This translates into new opportunities for microfluidics, which may enable the generation of higher quality nanobubbles that lead to advances in diagnostics and therapeutics.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali A Paknahad
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Ryerson University 350 Victoria Street Toronto Ontario M5B 2K3 Canada .,Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology (iBEST), A Partnership Between Ryerson University and St. Michael's Hospital 209 Victoria Street Toronto Ontario M5B 1T8 Canada.,Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Unity Health Toronto 209 Victoria Street Toronto Ontario M5B 1W8 Canada
| | - Liam Kerr
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Ryerson University 350 Victoria Street Toronto Ontario M5B 2K3 Canada .,Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology (iBEST), A Partnership Between Ryerson University and St. Michael's Hospital 209 Victoria Street Toronto Ontario M5B 1T8 Canada.,Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Unity Health Toronto 209 Victoria Street Toronto Ontario M5B 1W8 Canada
| | - Daniel A Wong
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology (iBEST), A Partnership Between Ryerson University and St. Michael's Hospital 209 Victoria Street Toronto Ontario M5B 1T8 Canada.,Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Unity Health Toronto 209 Victoria Street Toronto Ontario M5B 1W8 Canada.,Department of Electrical, Computer, and Biomedical Engineering, Ryerson University 350 Victoria Street Toronto Ontario M5B 2K3 Canada
| | - Michael C Kolios
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology (iBEST), A Partnership Between Ryerson University and St. Michael's Hospital 209 Victoria Street Toronto Ontario M5B 1T8 Canada.,Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Unity Health Toronto 209 Victoria Street Toronto Ontario M5B 1W8 Canada.,Department of Physics, Ryerson University Toronto Ontario M5B 2K3 Canada
| | - Scott S H Tsai
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Ryerson University 350 Victoria Street Toronto Ontario M5B 2K3 Canada .,Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology (iBEST), A Partnership Between Ryerson University and St. Michael's Hospital 209 Victoria Street Toronto Ontario M5B 1T8 Canada.,Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Unity Health Toronto 209 Victoria Street Toronto Ontario M5B 1W8 Canada.,Graduate Program in Biomedical Engineering, Ryerson University 350 Victoria Street Toronto Ontario M5B 2K3 Canada
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Bower JJ, Song L, Bastola P, Hirsch ML. Harnessing the Natural Biology of Adeno-Associated Virus to Enhance the Efficacy of Cancer Gene Therapy. Viruses 2021; 13:v13071205. [PMID: 34201599 PMCID: PMC8309980 DOI: 10.3390/v13071205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) was first characterized as small “defective” contaminant particles in a simian adenovirus preparation in 1965. Since then, a recombinant platform of AAV (rAAV) has become one of the leading candidates for gene therapy applications resulting in two FDA-approved treatments for rare monogenic diseases and many more currently in various phases of the pharmaceutical development pipeline. Herein, we summarize rAAV approaches for the treatment of diverse types of cancers and highlight the natural anti-oncogenic effects of wild-type AAV (wtAAV), including interactions with the cellular host machinery, that are of relevance to enhance current treatment strategies for cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacquelyn J. Bower
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (L.S.); (P.B.)
- Correspondence: (J.J.B.); (M.L.H.)
| | - Liujiang Song
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (L.S.); (P.B.)
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Prabhakar Bastola
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (L.S.); (P.B.)
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Matthew L. Hirsch
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (L.S.); (P.B.)
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Correspondence: (J.J.B.); (M.L.H.)
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Song L, Bower JJ, Llanga T, Salmon JH, Hirsch ML, Gilger BC. Ocular Tolerability and Immune Response to Corneal Intrastromal AAV- IDUA Gene Therapy in New Zealand White Rabbits. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2020; 18:24-32. [PMID: 32542182 PMCID: PMC7284066 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2020.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The chronic ocular toxicity, tolerability, and inflammation following corneal intrastromal injection of saline or escalating doses of an adeno-associated virus (AAV) containing a codon-optimized α-l-iduronidase (AAV-opt-IDUA) expression cassette were evaluated in New Zealand White rabbits. Corneal opacity following corneal intrastromal injection resolved by 24 h. Mild elevation of clinical ocular inflammation was observed 24 h after injection, but it returned to baseline by day 7 and no abnormalities were noted through 6 months of observation after injection. Vector genomes and IDUA cDNA were detected in the injected corneas in a dose-dependent manner. Both the lowest administered AAV-opt-IDUA dose, shown to be effective in mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I) dogs, and a 10-fold higher dose of AAV-opt-IDUA resulted in no detectable immunologic response or adverse effect in rabbits. Vector genomes outside of the eye were rarely detected following corneal intrastromal injection of AAV-opt-IDUA, and neutralizing antibodies to the AAV capsid were not present at the experimental conclusion. This study, combined with our previous studies in MPS I dogs, suggests that AAV-opt-IDUA corneal gene therapy following corneal intrastromal injection of AAV-opt-IDUA has the potential to prevent and reverse blindness in MPS I patients in a safe and effective manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liujiang Song
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Hunan Normal University Medical College, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Jacquelyn J. Bower
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Telmo Llanga
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Jacklyn H. Salmon
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 28607, USA
| | - Matthew L. Hirsch
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Brian C. Gilger
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 28607, USA
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Yuan Y, Li E, Zhao J, Wu B, Na Z, Cheng W, Jing H. Highly penetrating nanobubble polymer enhances LINC00511-siRNA delivery for improving the chemosensitivity of triple-negative breast cancer. Anticancer Drugs 2020; 32:178-188. [PMID: 32826414 DOI: 10.1097/cad.0000000000000985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Ultrasound-mediated nanobubble destruction (UMND), which can utilize the physical energy of ultrasound irradiation to improve the transfer efficiency to target cells is becoming one of the most promising carriers for gene delivery. The purpose of this study was to establish cell-penetrating peptide (CPP)-loaded nanobubbles (CNBs) connected with long intergenic nonprotein coding RNA 00511-small interfering RNA (LINC00511-siRNA) and evaluate its feasibility for improving the chemosensitivity of triple-negative breast cancer in vitro. First, fluorescence imaging confirmed the loading of siLINC00511 on CNBs, and the CNBs-siLINC00511 were characterized by the Zetasizer Nano ZS90 analyzer and transmission electron microscopy. Next, cell counting kit 8 assay was used to detect the inhibitory activity of cisplatin on the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells, and the 50% inhibition concentration value before and after transfer was calculated. Finally, the silencing effect of siLINC00511 was evaluated in vitro using an apoptosis assay, transwell assay, real time-PCR and western blotting. UMND combined with CNBs could effectively transfer the siRNA to MDA-MB-231 cells, thus evidently reducing the expression of LINC00511. Furthermore, inhibitory activity of cisplatin on MDA-MB-231 cells was enhanced after downregulation of LINC00511 expression. Downregulation of LINC00511 alters expression of cell cycle-related (CDK 6) and apoptosis-related (Bcl-2 and Bax) proteins in MDA-MB-231 cells. These results suggested that siRNA-CNBs may be an ideal vector for the treatment of tumors, with high efficiency RNA interference under the combined action of UMND. It may provide a new therapeutic method for triple negative breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanchi Yuan
- Department of Ultrasound, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
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Miyadera K, Conatser L, Llanga TA, Carlin K, O'Donnell P, Bagel J, Song L, Kurtzberg J, Samulski RJ, Gilger B, Hirsch ML. Intrastromal Gene Therapy Prevents and Reverses Advanced Corneal Clouding in a Canine Model of Mucopolysaccharidosis I. Mol Ther 2020; 28:1455-1463. [PMID: 32330426 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2020.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Revised: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I) is an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disease characterized by severe phenotypes, including corneal clouding. MPS I is caused by mutations in alpha-l-iduronidase (IDUA), a ubiquitous enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of glycosaminoglycans. Currently, no treatment exists to address MPS I corneal clouding other than corneal transplantation, which is complicated by a high risk for rejection. Investigation of an adeno-associated virus (AAV) IDUA gene addition strategy targeting the corneal stroma addresses this deficiency. In MPS I canines with early or advanced corneal disease, a single intrastromal AAV8G9-IDUA injection was well tolerated at all administered doses. The eyes with advanced disease demonstrated resolution of corneal clouding as early as 1 week post-injection, followed by sustained corneal transparency until the experimental endpoint of 25 weeks. AAV8G9-IDUA injection in the MPS I canine eye with early corneal disease prevented the development of advanced corneal changes while restoring clarity. Biodistribution studies demonstrated vector genomes in ocular compartments other than the cornea and in some systemic organs; however, a capsid antibody response was detected in only the highest dosed subject. Collectively, the results suggest that intrastromal AAV8G9-IDUA therapy prevents and reverses visual impairment associated with MPS I corneal clouding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keiko Miyadera
- Section of Ophthalmology, Department of Clinical Sciences and Advanced Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Laura Conatser
- Gene Therapy Center, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Telmo A Llanga
- Gene Therapy Center, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Kendall Carlin
- Section of Ophthalmology, Department of Clinical Sciences and Advanced Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Patricia O'Donnell
- Section of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Department of Clinical Sciences and Advanced Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jessica Bagel
- Section of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Department of Clinical Sciences and Advanced Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Liujiang Song
- Gene Therapy Center, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | | | - R Jude Samulski
- Gene Therapy Center, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Brian Gilger
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
| | - Matthew L Hirsch
- Gene Therapy Center, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
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