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Lin TD, Rubinstein ND, Fong NL, Smith M, Craft W, Martin-McNulty B, Perry R, Delaney MA, Roy MA, Buffenstein R. Evolution of T cells in the cancer-resistant naked mole-rat. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3145. [PMID: 38605005 PMCID: PMC11009300 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47264-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Naked mole-rats (NMRs) are best known for their extreme longevity and cancer resistance, suggesting that their immune system might have evolved to facilitate these phenotypes. Natural killer (NK) and T cells have evolved to detect and destroy cells infected with pathogens and to provide an early response to malignancies. While it is known that NMRs lack NK cells, likely lost during evolution, little is known about their T-cell subsets in terms of the evolution of the genes that regulate their function, their clonotypic diversity, and the thymus where they mature. Here we find, using single-cell transcriptomics, that NMRs have a large circulating population of γδT cells, which in mice and humans mostly reside in peripheral tissues and induce anti-cancer cytotoxicity. Using single-cell-T-cell-receptor sequencing, we find that a cytotoxic γδT-cell subset of NMRs harbors a dominant clonotype, and that their conventional CD8 αβT cells exhibit modest clonotypic diversity. Consistently, perinatal NMR thymuses are considerably smaller than those of mice yet follow similar involution progression. Our findings suggest that NMRs have evolved under a relaxed intracellular pathogenic selective pressure that may have allowed cancer resistance and longevity to become stronger targets of selection to which the immune system has responded by utilizing γδT cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tzuhua D Lin
- Calico Life Sciences LLC, South San Francisco, California, CA, USA
| | | | - Nicole L Fong
- Calico Life Sciences LLC, South San Francisco, California, CA, USA
| | - Megan Smith
- Calico Life Sciences LLC, South San Francisco, California, CA, USA
| | - Wendy Craft
- Calico Life Sciences LLC, South San Francisco, California, CA, USA
| | | | - Rebecca Perry
- Department of Biological Science, University of Illinois at Chicago, Illinois, IL, USA
| | | | - Margaret A Roy
- Calico Life Sciences LLC, South San Francisco, California, CA, USA
| | - Rochelle Buffenstein
- Calico Life Sciences LLC, South San Francisco, California, CA, USA.
- Department of Biological Science, University of Illinois at Chicago, Illinois, IL, USA.
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Merchant HN, Portugal SJ, Bennett NC, Janse van Vuuren AK, Faulkes CG, Bowen J, Hart DW. New insights into morphological adaptation in common mole-rats ( Cryptomys hottentotus hottentotus) along an aridity gradient. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e11301. [PMID: 38651162 PMCID: PMC11033624 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Morphological adaptation is the change in the form of an organism that benefits the individual in its current habitat. Mole-rats (family Bathyergidae), despite being subterranean, are impacted by both local and broad-scale environmental conditions that occur above ground. Common mole-rats (Cryptomys hottentotus hottentotus) present an ideal mammalian model system for the study of morphological variation in response to ecology, as this species is found along an aridity gradient and thus can be sampled from geographically non-overlapping populations of the same species along an environmental longitudinal cline. Using the mass of five internal organs, ten skeletal measurements and 3D morphometric analyses of skulls, we assessed the morphology of wild non-breeding individuals from five common mole-rat populations in South Africa. We found that the body mass and mean relative mass of the spleen and kidneys in arid populations was larger, and individuals from arid regions possessed shorter legs and larger inter-shoulder widths compared to individuals from mesic regions. Additionally, arid populations demonstrated greater skull depth, and shape change of features such as angular processes of the lower jaw than mesic individuals, indicating that these distinct geographic populations show differences corresponding to the aridity gradient, potentially in response to environmental factors such as the variation in food sources found between different habitats, in addition to different soil compositions found in the different regions. Arid populations potentially require a stronger jaw and neck musculature associated with mastication to chew xeric-adapted plants and to dig through hard soil types, whereas mesic populations excavate through soft, looser soil and may make use of their front limbs to aid the movement of soils when digging. Aridity influences the morphology of this species and could indicate the impact of environmental changes on speciation and mammalian skull morphology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hana N. Merchant
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Life and Environmental SciencesRoyal Holloway University of LondonEgham, SurreyUK
- School of Biological and Behavioural SciencesQueen Mary University of LondonLondonUK
| | - Steven J. Portugal
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Life and Environmental SciencesRoyal Holloway University of LondonEgham, SurreyUK
| | - Nigel C. Bennett
- Department of Zoology and EntomologyUniversity of PretoriaPretoriaGautengSouth Africa
| | | | - Chris G. Faulkes
- School of Biological and Behavioural SciencesQueen Mary University of LondonLondonUK
| | - James Bowen
- Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering, and MathematicsOpen UniversityMilton KeynesUK
| | - Daniel W. Hart
- Department of Zoology and EntomologyUniversity of PretoriaPretoriaGautengSouth Africa
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3
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Wallace KME, Hart DW, Venter F, van Vuuren AKJ, Bennett NC. The best of both worlds: no apparent trade-off between immunity and reproduction in two group-living African mole-rat species. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2023; 378:20220310. [PMID: 37381852 PMCID: PMC10291439 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2022.0310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Co-operatively breeding mammals often exhibit a female reproductive skew and suppression of the subordinate non-breeding group members. According to evolutionary theory and the immunity-fertility axis, an inverse relationship between reproductive investment and survival (through immunocompetence) is expected. As such, this study investigated if a trade-off between immunocompetence and reproduction arises in two co-operatively breeding African mole-rat species, namely the Damaraland mole-rat (Fukomys damarensis) and common mole-rat (Cryptomys hottentotus hottentotus), which possess female reproductive division of labour. This study also attempted to investigate the relationship between the immune and endocrine systems in Damaraland mole-rats. There was no trade-off between reproduction and immunocompetence in co-operatively breeding African mole-rat species, and in the case of the Damaraland mole-rats, breeding females (BFs) possessed increased immunocompetence compared with non-breeding females (NBFs). Furthermore, the increased levels of progesterone possessed by Damaraland mole-rat BFs compared with NBFs appear to be correlated to increased immunocompetence. In comparison, BF and NBF common mole-rats possess similar immunocompetence. The species-specific differences in the immunity-fertility axis may be due to variations in the strengths of reproductive suppression in each species. This article is part of the theme issue 'Evolutionary ecology of inequality'.
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Affiliation(s)
- K. M. E. Wallace
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield 0028, South Africa
| | - Daniel W. Hart
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield 0028, South Africa
| | - F. Venter
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology and Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield 0028, South Africa
| | - A. K. Janse van Vuuren
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield 0028, South Africa
| | - N. C. Bennett
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield 0028, South Africa
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Gorshkova EA, Gubernatorova EO, Dvorianinova EM, Yurakova TR, Marey MV, Averina OA, Holtze S, Hildebrandt TB, Dmitriev AA, Drutskaya MS, Vyssokikh MY, Nedospasov SA. Macrophages from naked mole-rat possess distinct immunometabolic signatures upon polarization. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1172467. [PMID: 37153552 PMCID: PMC10154529 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1172467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The naked mole-rat (NMR) is a unique long-lived rodent which is highly resistant to age-associated disorders and cancer. The immune system of NMR possesses a distinct cellular composition with the prevalence of myeloid cells. Thus, the detailed phenotypical and functional assessment of NMR myeloid cell compartment may uncover novel mechanisms of immunoregulation and healthy aging. In this study gene expression signatures, reactive nitrogen species and cytokine production, as well as metabolic activity of classically (M1) and alternatively (M2) activated NMR bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM) were examined. Polarization of NMR macrophages under pro-inflammatory conditions led to expected M1 phenotype characterized by increased pro-inflammatory gene expression, cytokine production and aerobic glycolysis, but paralleled by reduced production of nitric oxide (NO). Under systemic LPS-induced inflammatory conditions NO production also was not detected in NMR blood monocytes. Altogether, our results indicate that NMR macrophages are capable of transcriptional and metabolic reprogramming under polarizing stimuli, however, NMR M1 possesses species-specific signatures as compared to murine M1, implicating distinct adaptations in NMR immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekaterina A. Gorshkova
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Ekaterina O. Gubernatorova
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Taisiya R. Yurakova
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Maria V. Marey
- Federal State Budget Institution “National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology Named after Academician V.I. Kulakov”, Ministry of Healthcare of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Olga A. Averina
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Susanne Holtze
- Department of Reproduction Management, Leibnitz Institute for Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas B. Hildebrandt
- Department of Reproduction Management, Leibnitz Institute for Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alexey A. Dmitriev
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Marina S. Drutskaya
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Mikhail Yu. Vyssokikh
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
- Federal State Budget Institution “National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology Named after Academician V.I. Kulakov”, Ministry of Healthcare of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Sergei A. Nedospasov
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- Division of Immunobiology and Biomedicine, Center of Genetics and Life Sciences, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Federal Territory Sirius, Krasnodar Krai, Russia
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Giffin KA, Lovelock DF, Besheer J. Toll-like receptor 3 neuroimmune signaling and behavior change: A strain comparison between Lewis and Wistar rats. Behav Brain Res 2023; 438:114200. [PMID: 36334783 PMCID: PMC10123804 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2022.114200] [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: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
There are many unanswered questions about the interaction between the immune system and behavior change, including the contributions of individual differences. The present study modeled individual differences in the immune system by comparing inbred Lewis rats, which have dysregulated stress and immune systems, to their genetically diverse parent strain, Wistar rats. The objective was to examine the consequences of an immune challenge on behavior and neuroimmune signaling in both strains. Peripheral administration of the toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) agonist and viral memetic polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C)) induced behavior changes in both strains, reducing locomotor activity and increasing avoidance behavior (time on the dark side of the light-dark box). Furthermore, poly(I:C) induced hyperarousal and increased avoidance behavior more in female Lewis than female Wistar rats. Baseline strain differences were also observed: Lewis rats had higher avoidance behavior and lower startle response than Wistars. Lewis rats also had lower levels of peripheral inflammation, as measured by spleen weight. Finally, poly(I:C) increased expression of genes in the TLR3 pathway, cytokine genes, and CD11b, a gene associated with proinflammatory actions of microglia, in the prelimbic cortex and central amygdala, with greater expression of cytokine genes in male rats. Lewis rats had lower baseline expression of some neuroimmune genes, particularly CD11b. Overall, we found constitutive strain differences in immune profiles and baseline differences in behavior, yet poly(I:C) generally induced similar behavior changes in males while hyperarousal and avoidance behavior were heightened in female Lewis rats.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Joyce Besheer
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, USA; Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
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Liang Y, Liu X, Hu J, Huang S, Ma X, Liu X, Wang R, Hu X. The crude extract from the flowers of Trollius chinensis Bunge exerts anti-influenza virus effects through modulation of the TLR3 signaling pathway. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 300:115743. [PMID: 36152783 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2022.115743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE The flowers of Trollius chinensis Bunge (Ranunculaceae) is a traditional Chinese medicine used to treat various inflammatory diseases, including upper respiratory infections, chronic tonsillitis, and pharyngitis. Recently, there has been growing research on the antiviral role of the flowers of T. chinensis Bunge. However, little is known about its anti-influenza virus effects and the underlying mechanisms. AIM OF THE STUDY This study aims to evaluate the therapeutic effects of the crude extract from the flowers of T. chinensis Bunge (CEFTC) on mice infected with influenza virus. We further explored its mechanism by detecting the expression of vital proteins (TLR3, TBK1, TAK1, IKKα, IRF3, and IFN-β) related to TLR3 signaling pathway. MATERIALS AND METHODS Mice were infected with influenza A virus (H1N1) through the nasal cavity and were intragastrically administered CEFTC at the dose of 0.2 mg/g once daily. The therapeutic effects of CEFTC were evaluated by blood cell count, lung index, spleen index, alveolar lavage fluid testing, and HE staining. Network pharmacology analysis predicted the potential signaling pathway between the flowers of T. chinensis Bunge and pneumonia. The expression of TLR3, TBK1, TAK1, IKKα, IRF3, and IFN-β in lung tissues were examined by Western blot assay. In addition, the immunofluorescence assay was applied to assess the effect of CEFTC on the distribution of IRF3 and IFN-β between nuclei and cytoplasm. RESULTS Compared with the infected group, the lung index was markedly reduced, and the pathological damage of the lungs was also attenuated in the CEFTC treatment group. The network pharmacology analysis indicated that the NF-κB pathway was a potential signaling pathway in the flowers of T. chinensis Bunge for the treatment of pneumonia, TLR3, IRF3, and TBK1 were crucial targets associated with pneumonia. Western blot assay demonstrated that in the high-dose virus infected group, CEFTC reduced the expression of TLR3, TAK1, TBK1, and IRF3. Furthermore, CEFTC could increase the nuclear distribution of IRF3 in alveolar epithelial cells after virus infection. CONCLUSIONS These results suggested that different doses of influenza virus could cause varying infection symptoms in mice. Moreover, CEFTC could exert anti-influenza virus effects by regulating the expression of TLR3, IRF3, IFN-β, TAK1, and TBK1 in the TLR3 signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxi Liang
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China; School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China.
| | - Xiaoli Liu
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Xi'an Children's Hospital, The Affiliated Children's Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710000, China.
| | - Jingyan Hu
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China.
| | - Songli Huang
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China.
| | - Xin Ma
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China.
| | - Xiaoyan Liu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China.
| | - Rufeng Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China.
| | - Xiuhua Hu
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China.
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Li B, Ding M, Liu X, Zhao J, Ross RP, Stanton C, Yang B, Chen W. Bifidobacterium breve CCFM1078 Alleviates Collagen-Induced Arthritis in Rats via Modulating the Gut Microbiota and Repairing the Intestinal Barrier Damage. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2022; 70:14665-14678. [PMID: 36377740 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.2c04602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
This study focused on the effects of Bifidobacterium breve CCFM1078 on the intestinal barrier and systemic inflammation of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rats. Female rats were divided into three groups with daily intragastric administration of either saline (control group and model group) or B. breve CCFM1078 (CCFM1078 group, 3 × 109cfu/rat per day) for 5 weeks. In the Model and CCFM1078 groups, arthritis was induced by subcutaneous collagen injection. We found that B. breve CCFM1078 can repair the intestinal barrier, reduce LPS translocation, regulate gut microbiota composition, and increase short-chain fatty acids in the intestine. Then, it can reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines release, adjust immune dysfunction, and inhibit TLR4-MyD88-dependent pathways and downstream inflammatory pathways to alleviate joint inflammation in CIA rats. These findings suggest that B. breve CCFM1078 may alleviate joint inflammation by adjusting the profile of gut microbiota and enhancing the intestinal barrier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bowen Li
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Mengfan Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Xiaoming Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
- International Joint Research Center for Probiotics & Gut Health, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Jianxin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
- International Joint Research Center for Probiotics & Gut Health, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - R Paul Ross
- International Joint Research Center for Probiotics & Gut Health, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork T12 K8AF, Ireland
| | - Catherine Stanton
- International Joint Research Center for Probiotics & Gut Health, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork T12 K8AF, Ireland
- Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Cork P61 C996, Ireland
| | - Bo Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
- International Joint Research Center for Probiotics & Gut Health, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Wei Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
- National Engineering Research Center for Functional Food, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
- Beijing Innovation Center of Food Nutrition and Human Health, Beijing Technology and Business University (BTBU), Beijing 102401, China
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