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Estrogen Receptor Alpha Splice Variants, Post-Translational Modifications, and Their Physiological Functions. Cells 2023; 12:cells12060895. [PMID: 36980236 PMCID: PMC10047206 DOI: 10.3390/cells12060895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The importance of estrogenic signaling for a broad spectrum of biological processes, including reproduction, cancer development, energy metabolism, memory and learning, and so on, has been well documented. Among reported estrogen receptors, estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) has been known to be a major mediator of cellular estrogenic signaling. Accumulating evidence has shown that the regulations of ERα gene transcription, splicing, and expression across the tissues are highly complex. The ERα promoter region is composed of multiple leader exons and 5′-untranslated region (5′-UTR) exons. Differential splicing results in multiple ERα proteins with different molecular weights and functional domains. Furthermore, various post-translational modifications (PTMs) further impact ERα cellular localization, ligand affinity, and therefore functionality. These splicing isoforms and PTMs are differentially expressed in a tissue-specific manner, mediate certain aspects of ERα signaling, and may work even antagonistically against the full-length ERα. The fundamental understanding of the ERα splicing isoforms in normal physiology is limited and association studies of the splicing isoforms and the PTMs are scarce. This review aims to summarize the functional diversity of these ERα variants and the PTMs in normal physiological processes, particularly as studied in transgenic mouse models.
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Wnuk A, Przepiórska K, Pietrzak BA, Kajta M. Emerging Evidence on Membrane Estrogen Receptors as Novel Therapeutic Targets for Central Nervous System Pathologies. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24044043. [PMID: 36835454 PMCID: PMC9968034 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24044043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Nuclear- and membrane-initiated estrogen signaling cooperate to orchestrate the pleiotropic effects of estrogens. Classical estrogen receptors (ERs) act transcriptionally and govern the vast majority of hormonal effects, whereas membrane ERs (mERs) enable acute modulation of estrogenic signaling and have recently been shown to exert strong neuroprotective capacity without the negative side effects associated with nuclear ER activity. In recent years, GPER1 was the most extensively characterized mER. Despite triggering neuroprotective effects, cognitive improvements, and vascular protective effects and maintaining metabolic homeostasis, GPER1 has become the subject of controversy, particularly due to its participation in tumorigenesis. This is why interest has recently turned toward non-GPER-dependent mERs, namely, mERα and mERβ. According to available data, non-GPER-dependent mERs elicit protective effects against brain damage, synaptic plasticity impairment, memory and cognitive dysfunctions, metabolic imbalance, and vascular insufficiency. We postulate that these properties are emerging platforms for designing new therapeutics that may be used in the treatment of stroke and neurodegenerative diseases. Since mERs have the ability to interfere with noncoding RNAs and to regulate the translational status of brain tissue by affecting histones, non-GPER-dependent mERs appear to be attractive targets for modern pharmacotherapy for nervous system diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Wnuk
- Correspondence: (A.W.); (M.K.); Tel.: +48-12-662-3339 (A.W.); +48-12-662-3235 (M.K.); Fax: +48-12-637-4500 (A.W. & M.K.)
| | | | | | - Małgorzata Kajta
- Correspondence: (A.W.); (M.K.); Tel.: +48-12-662-3339 (A.W.); +48-12-662-3235 (M.K.); Fax: +48-12-637-4500 (A.W. & M.K.)
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Johnson CS, Mermelstein PG. The interaction of membrane estradiol receptors and metabotropic glutamate receptors in adaptive and maladaptive estradiol-mediated motivated behaviors in females. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2023; 168:33-91. [PMID: 36868633 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2022.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Estrogen receptors were initially identified as intracellular, ligand-regulated transcription factors that result in genomic change upon ligand binding. However, rapid estrogen receptor signaling initiated outside of the nucleus was also known to occur via mechanisms that were less clear. Recent studies indicate that these traditional receptors, estrogen receptor α and estrogen receptor β, can also be trafficked to act at the surface membrane. Signaling cascades from these membrane-bound estrogen receptors (mERs) can rapidly alter cellular excitability and gene expression, particularly through the phosphorylation of CREB. A principal mechanism of neuronal mER action has been shown to occur through glutamate-independent transactivation of metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGlu), which elicits multiple signaling outcomes. The interaction of mERs with mGlu has been shown to be important in many diverse functions in females, including driving motivated behaviors. Experimental evidence suggests that a large part of estradiol-induced neuroplasticity and motivated behaviors, both adaptive and maladaptive, occurs through estradiol-dependent mER activation of mGlu. Herein we will review signaling through estrogen receptors, both "classical" nuclear receptors and membrane-bound receptors, as well as estradiol signaling through mGlu. We will focus on how the interactions of these receptors and their downstream signaling cascades are involved in driving motivated behaviors in females, discussing a representative adaptive motivated behavior (reproduction) and maladaptive motivated behavior (addiction).
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline S Johnson
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Paul G Mermelstein
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States.
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Mohr MA, Keshishian T, Falcy BA, Laham BJ, Wong AM, Micevych PE. Puberty enables oestradiol-induced progesterone synthesis in female mouse hypothalamic astrocytes. J Neuroendocrinol 2022; 34:e13082. [PMID: 35000221 PMCID: PMC9207152 DOI: 10.1111/jne.13082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The development of oestrogen positive feedback is a hallmark of female puberty. Both oestrogen and progesterone signalling are required for the functioning of this neuroendocrine feedback loop but the physiological changes that underlie the emergence of positive feedback remain unknown. Only after puberty does oestradiol (E2) facilitate progesterone synthesis in the rat female hypothalamus (neuroP), an event critical for positive feedback and the LH surge. We hypothesize that prior to puberty, these astrocytes have low levels of membrane oestrogen receptor alpha (ERα), which is needed for facilitation of neuroP synthesis. Thus, we hypothesized that prepubertal astrocytes are unable to respond to E2 with increased neuroP synthesis due a lack of membrane ERα. To test this, hypothalamic tissues and enriched primary hypothalamic astrocyte cultures were acquired from prepubertal (postnatal week 3) and post-pubertal (week 8) female mice. E2-facilitated neuroP was measured in the hypothalamus pre- and post-puberty, and hypothalamic astrocyte responses were measured after treatment with E2. Prior to puberty, E2-facilitated neuroP synthesis did not occur in the hypothalamus, and mERα expression was low in hypothalamic astrocytes, but E2-facilitated neuroP synthesis in the rostral hypothalamus and mERα expression increased post-puberty. The increase in mERα expression in hypothalamic astrocytes corresponded with a post-pubertal increase in caveolin-1 protein, PKA phosphorylation, and a more rapid [Ca2+ ]i flux in response to E2. Together, results from the present study indicate that E2-facilitated neuroP synthesis occurs in the rostral hypothalamus, develops during puberty, and corresponds to a post-pubertal increase in mERα levels in hypothalamic astrocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret A Mohr
- Department of Neurobiology, UCLA DGSOM, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, Brain Research Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Tina Keshishian
- Department of Neurobiology, UCLA DGSOM, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, Brain Research Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Brennan A Falcy
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavior, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Blake J Laham
- Department of Psychology, Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
| | - Angela M Wong
- Department of Neurobiology, UCLA DGSOM, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, Brain Research Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Paul E Micevych
- Department of Neurobiology, UCLA DGSOM, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, Brain Research Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
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5
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Johnson CS, Micevych PE, Mermelstein PG. Membrane estrogen signaling in female reproduction and motivation. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:1009379. [PMID: 36246891 PMCID: PMC9557733 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1009379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Estrogen receptors were initially identified in the uterus, and later throughout the brain and body as intracellular, ligand-regulated transcription factors that affect genomic change upon ligand binding. However, rapid estrogen receptor signaling initiated outside of the nucleus was also known to occur via mechanisms that were less clear. Recent studies indicate that these traditional receptors, estrogen receptor-α and estrogen receptor-β, can also be trafficked to act at the surface membrane. Signaling cascades from these membrane-bound estrogen receptors (mERs) not only rapidly effect cellular excitability, but can and do ultimately affect gene expression, as seen through the phosphorylation of CREB. A principal mechanism of neuronal mER action is through glutamate-independent transactivation of metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs), which elicits multiple signaling outcomes. The interaction of mERs with mGluRs has been shown to be important in many diverse functions in females, including, but not limited to, reproduction and motivation. Here we review membrane-initiated estrogen receptor signaling in females, with a focus on the interactions between these mERs and mGluRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline S. Johnson
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- *Correspondence: Caroline S. Johnson,
| | - Paul E Micevych
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Paul G. Mermelstein
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
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Davydova YD, Kazantseva AV, Enikeeva RF, Mustafin RN, Lobaskova MM, Malykh SB, Gilyazova IR, Khusnutdinova EK. The Role of Oxytocin Receptor (OXTR) Gene Polymorphisms in the Development of Aggressive Behavior in Healthy Individuals. RUSS J GENET+ 2020. [DOI: 10.1134/s1022795420090057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Kirshner ZZ, Yao JK, Li J, Long T, Nelson D, Gibbs RB. Impact of estrogen receptor agonists and model of menopause on enzymes involved in brain metabolism, acetyl-CoA production and cholinergic function. Life Sci 2020; 256:117975. [PMID: 32565251 PMCID: PMC7448522 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2020.117975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Our goal is to understand how loss of circulating estrogens and estrogen replacement affect brain physiology and function, particularly in brain regions involved in cognitive processes. We recently conducted a large metabolomics study characterizing the effects of rodent models of menopause and treatment with estrogen receptor (ER) agonists on neurochemical targets in hippocampus, frontal cortex, and striatum. Here we characterize effects on levels of several key enzymes involved in glucose utilization and energy production, specifically phosphofructokinase, glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase, and pyruvate dehydrogenase. We also evaluated effects on levels of β-actin and α-tubulin, choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity, and levels of ATP citrate lyase. All experiments were conducted in young adult rats. Experiment 1 compared the effects of ovariectomy (OVX), a model of surgical menopause, and 4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide (VCD)-treatments, a model of transitional menopause, with tissues collected at proestrus and at diestrus. Experiment 2 used a separate cohort of rats to evaluate the same targets in OVX and VCD-treated rats treated with estradiol or with selective ER agonists. Differences in the expression of metabolic enzymes between cycling animals and models of surgical and transitional menopause were detected. These differences were model-, region- and time- dependent, and were modulated by selective ER agonists. Collectively, the findings demonstrate that loss of ovarian function and ER agonist treatments have differing effects in OVX vs. VCD-treated rats. Differences may help to explain differences in the effects of estrogen treatments on brain function and cognition in women who have experienced surgical vs. transitional menopause.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Z Kirshner
- University of Pittsburgh, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1004 Salk Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
| | - Jeffrey K Yao
- University of Pittsburgh, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1004 Salk Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
| | - Junyi Li
- University of Pittsburgh, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1004 Salk Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
| | - Tao Long
- University of Pittsburgh, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1004 Salk Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
| | - Doug Nelson
- University of Pittsburgh, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1004 Salk Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
| | - R B Gibbs
- University of Pittsburgh, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1004 Salk Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
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Gross KS, Mermelstein PG. Estrogen receptor signaling through metabotropic glutamate receptors. VITAMINS AND HORMONES 2020; 114:211-232. [PMID: 32723544 DOI: 10.1016/bs.vh.2020.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
As the non-nuclear initiated effects of steroid hormone signaling have become more widely accepted, there has been a need to define the novel mechanisms of hormone receptor action that account for these outcomes. One mechanism that has emerged is the coupling of classical estrogen receptors (ERα and ERβ) with metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) to initiate G protein signaling cascades that ultimately influence neuronal physiology, structure, and behavior. Since its initial discovery in hippocampal neurons, evidence of ER/mGluR associations have been found throughout the nervous system, and the heterogeneity of possible receptor pairings afforded by multiple ER and mGluR subtypes appears to drive diverse molecular outcomes that can impact processes like cognition, motivation, movement, and pain. Recent evidence also suggests that the role of mGluRs in steroid hormone signaling may not be unique to ERs, but rather a conserved mechanism of membrane-initiated hormone receptor action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kellie S Gross
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Paul G Mermelstein
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States.
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Inserra PIF, Charif SE, Fidel V, Giacchino M, Schmidt AR, Villarreal FM, Proietto S, Cortasa SA, Corso MC, Gariboldi MC, Leopardo NP, Fraunhoffer NA, Di Giorgio NP, Lux-Lantos VA, Halperin J, Vitullo AD, Dorfman VB. The key action of estradiol and progesterone enables GnRH delivery during gestation in the South American plains vizcacha, Lagostomus maximus. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2020; 200:105627. [PMID: 32070756 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2020.105627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Revised: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The South American plains vizcacha, Lagostomus maximus, is the only mammal described so far that shows expression of estrogen receptors (ERs) and progesterone receptors (PRs) in gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons. This animal therefore constitutes an exceptional model for the study of the effect of steroid hormones on the modulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis. By using both in vivo and ex vivo approaches, we have found that pharmacological doses of progesterone (P4) and estradiol (E2) produced an inhibition in the expression of hypothalamic GnRH, while physiological doses produced a differential effect on the pulsatile release frequency or genomic expression of GnRH. Our ex vivo experiment indicates that a short-term effect of E2 modulates the frequency of GnRH release pattern that would be associated with membrane ERs. On the other hand, our in vivo approach suggests that a long-term effect of E2, acting through the classical nuclear ERs-PRs pathway, would produce the modification of GnRH mRNA expression during the GnRH pre-ovulatory surge. Particularly, P4 induced a rise in GnRH mRNA expression and protein release with a decrease in its release frequency. These results suggest different levels of action of steroid hormones on GnRH modulation. We conclude that the fine action of E2 and P4 constitute the key factor to enable the hypothalamic activity during the pregnancy of this mammal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo I F Inserra
- Centro de Estudios Biomédicos Básicos, Aplicados y Desarrollo (CEBBAD), Universidad Maimónides, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina(2); Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina
| | - Santiago E Charif
- Centro de Estudios Biomédicos Básicos, Aplicados y Desarrollo (CEBBAD), Universidad Maimónides, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina(2); Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina
| | - Victoria Fidel
- Centro de Estudios Biomédicos Básicos, Aplicados y Desarrollo (CEBBAD), Universidad Maimónides, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina(2)
| | - Mariela Giacchino
- Centro de Estudios Biomédicos Básicos, Aplicados y Desarrollo (CEBBAD), Universidad Maimónides, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina(2); Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina
| | - Alejandro R Schmidt
- Centro de Estudios Biomédicos Básicos, Aplicados y Desarrollo (CEBBAD), Universidad Maimónides, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina(2); Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina
| | - Federico M Villarreal
- Centro de Estudios Biomédicos Básicos, Aplicados y Desarrollo (CEBBAD), Universidad Maimónides, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina(2)
| | - Sofía Proietto
- Centro de Estudios Biomédicos Básicos, Aplicados y Desarrollo (CEBBAD), Universidad Maimónides, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina(2); Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina
| | - Santiago A Cortasa
- Centro de Estudios Biomédicos Básicos, Aplicados y Desarrollo (CEBBAD), Universidad Maimónides, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina(2); Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina
| | - María C Corso
- Centro de Estudios Biomédicos Básicos, Aplicados y Desarrollo (CEBBAD), Universidad Maimónides, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina(2); Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina
| | - María C Gariboldi
- Centro de Estudios Biomédicos Básicos, Aplicados y Desarrollo (CEBBAD), Universidad Maimónides, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina(2); Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina
| | - Noelia P Leopardo
- Centro de Estudios Biomédicos Básicos, Aplicados y Desarrollo (CEBBAD), Universidad Maimónides, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina(2); Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina
| | - Nicolás A Fraunhoffer
- Centro de Estudios Biomédicos Básicos, Aplicados y Desarrollo (CEBBAD), Universidad Maimónides, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina(2); Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina
| | - Noelia P Di Giorgio
- Laboratorio de Neuroendocrinología, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IByME)-CONICET, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Victoria A Lux-Lantos
- Laboratorio de Neuroendocrinología, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IByME)-CONICET, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Julia Halperin
- Centro de Estudios Biomédicos Básicos, Aplicados y Desarrollo (CEBBAD), Universidad Maimónides, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina(2); Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina
| | - Alfredo D Vitullo
- Centro de Estudios Biomédicos Básicos, Aplicados y Desarrollo (CEBBAD), Universidad Maimónides, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina(2); Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina
| | - Verónica B Dorfman
- Centro de Estudios Biomédicos Básicos, Aplicados y Desarrollo (CEBBAD), Universidad Maimónides, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina(2); Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina.
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