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Sammarco A, Beffagna G, Sacchetto R, Vettori A, Bonsembiante F, Scarin G, Gelain ME, Cavicchioli L, Ferro S, Geroni C, Lombardi P, Zappulli V. Antitumor Effect of Berberine Analogs in a Canine Mammary Tumor Cell Line and in Zebrafish Reporters via Wnt/β-Catenin and Hippo Pathways. Biomedicines 2023; 11:3317. [PMID: 38137538 PMCID: PMC10741123 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11123317] [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: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The heterogeneous nature of human breast cancer (HBC) can still lead to therapy inefficacy and high lethality, and new therapeutics as well as new spontaneous animal models are needed to benefit translational HBC research. Dogs are primarily investigated since they spontaneously develop tumors that share many features with human cancers. In recent years, different natural phytochemicals including berberine, a plant alkaloid, have been reported to have antiproliferative activity in vitro in human cancers and rodent animal models. In this study, we report the antiproliferative activity and mechanism of action of berberine, its active metabolite berberrubine, and eight analogs, on a canine mammary carcinoma cell line and in transgenic zebrafish models. We demonstrate both in vitro and in vivo the significant effects of specific analogs on cell viability via the induction of apoptosis, also identifying their role in inhibiting the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and activating the Hippo signals with a downstream reduction in CTGF expression. In particular, the berberine analogs NAX035 and NAX057 show the highest therapeutic efficacy, deserving further analyses to elucidate their mechanism of action more in detail, and in vivo studies on spontaneous neoplastic diseases are needed, aiming at improving veterinary treatments of cancer as well as translational cancer research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Sammarco
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padua, 35020 Legnaro, Italy; (A.S.); (G.B.); (R.S.); (F.B.); (G.S.); (M.E.G.); (L.C.); (S.F.)
- Department of Urology, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Giorgia Beffagna
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padua, 35020 Legnaro, Italy; (A.S.); (G.B.); (R.S.); (F.B.); (G.S.); (M.E.G.); (L.C.); (S.F.)
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy
| | - Roberta Sacchetto
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padua, 35020 Legnaro, Italy; (A.S.); (G.B.); (R.S.); (F.B.); (G.S.); (M.E.G.); (L.C.); (S.F.)
| | - Andrea Vettori
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy;
| | - Federico Bonsembiante
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padua, 35020 Legnaro, Italy; (A.S.); (G.B.); (R.S.); (F.B.); (G.S.); (M.E.G.); (L.C.); (S.F.)
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padua, 35020 Legnaro, Italy
| | - Giulia Scarin
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padua, 35020 Legnaro, Italy; (A.S.); (G.B.); (R.S.); (F.B.); (G.S.); (M.E.G.); (L.C.); (S.F.)
| | - Maria Elena Gelain
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padua, 35020 Legnaro, Italy; (A.S.); (G.B.); (R.S.); (F.B.); (G.S.); (M.E.G.); (L.C.); (S.F.)
| | - Laura Cavicchioli
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padua, 35020 Legnaro, Italy; (A.S.); (G.B.); (R.S.); (F.B.); (G.S.); (M.E.G.); (L.C.); (S.F.)
| | - Silvia Ferro
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padua, 35020 Legnaro, Italy; (A.S.); (G.B.); (R.S.); (F.B.); (G.S.); (M.E.G.); (L.C.); (S.F.)
| | - Cristina Geroni
- Naxospharma Srl, 20026 Novate Milanese, Italy; (C.G.); (P.L.)
| | - Paolo Lombardi
- Naxospharma Srl, 20026 Novate Milanese, Italy; (C.G.); (P.L.)
| | - Valentina Zappulli
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padua, 35020 Legnaro, Italy; (A.S.); (G.B.); (R.S.); (F.B.); (G.S.); (M.E.G.); (L.C.); (S.F.)
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Atmane MI, Vigneau AL, Beaudry F, Rico C, Boerboom D, Paquet M. Therapeutic trial of fluvastatin in a cell line xenograft model of canine mammary gland cancer. Vet Comp Oncol 2023; 21:634-645. [PMID: 37709554 DOI: 10.1111/vco.12926] [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: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
The Hippo signalling pathway is involved in breast cancer and canine mammary tumour (CMT). This study sought to evaluate the efficacy of fluvastatin on the Hippo pathway and its main effectors, YAP and TAZ, in vivo in a murine CMT cell line xenograft model. On treatment day 1, mice were divided into four groups: vehicle, fluvastatin, doxorubicin or a combination therapy. Tumour volumes were monitored with callipers and tissues harvested on day 28th of treatment. Histopathological examination of tumour tissues and major organs was performed as well as tumour evaluation of necrosis, apoptosis, cellular proliferation, expression of YAP, TAZ and the mRNA levels of four of their target genes (CTGF, CYR61, ANKRD1 and RHAMM2). Results showed a statistically significant variation in tumour volumes only for the combination therapy and final tumour weight only for the doxorubicin group compared to control. There was no significant difference in tumour necrosis, expression of CC3, ki-67, YAP and TAZ measured by immunohistochemistry and in the mRNA levels of the target genes. Unexpectedly, lung metastases were found in the control group (9) and not in the fluvastatin treated group (7). In addition, mass spectrometry-based quantification of fluvastatin reveals concentrations comparable to levels reported to exert therapeutic effects. This study shows that fluvastatin tumours concentration reached therapeutic levels without having an effect on the hippo pathway or various tumour parameters. Interestingly, only the control group had lung metastases. This study is the first to explore the repurposing of statins for cancer treatment in veterinary medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Issam Atmane
- Département de Pathologie et de Microbiologie, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada
| | - Anne-Laurence Vigneau
- Département de Pathologie et de Microbiologie, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada
| | - Francis Beaudry
- Département de Biomédecine Vétérinaire, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada
- Centre de recherche sur le cerveau et l'apprentissage (CIRCA), Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Charlène Rico
- Département de Biomédecine Vétérinaire, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada
| | - Derek Boerboom
- Département de Biomédecine Vétérinaire, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada
- Centre de recherche en reproduction et fertilité (CRRF), Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada
| | - Marilène Paquet
- Département de Pathologie et de Microbiologie, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada
- Centre de recherche en reproduction et fertilité (CRRF), Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada
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Vigneau AL, Rico C, Boerboom D, Paquet M. Statins downregulate YAP and TAZ and exert anti-cancer effects in canine mammary tumour cells. Vet Comp Oncol 2021; 20:437-448. [PMID: 34881506 DOI: 10.1111/vco.12789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2021] [Revised: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Canine mammary tumours (CMTs) are the most common neoplasms in intact bitches, and few chemotherapeutic options are available for highly invasive and metastatic tumours. Recent studies have shown the potential involvement of dysregulated Hippo signalling in CMT development and progression. Statins can activate the Hippo pathway by blocking protein geranylgeranylation (GGylation), resulting in decreased expression and activity of the transcriptional co-activators YAP and TAZ. In this study, we therefore sought to determine if statins could exert anti-cancer effects in CMT cells. Our results demonstrate that Atorvastatin and Fluvastatin are cytotoxic to two CMT cell lines (CMT9 and CMT47), with ED50 values ranging from 0.95 to 23.5 μM. Both statins acted to increase apoptosis and promote cell cycle arrest. Both statins also decreased YAP and TAZ expression and reduced the mRNA levels of key Hippo transcriptional target genes known to be involved in breast cancer progression and chemoresistance (CYR61, CTGF and RHAMM). Moreover, both statins effectively inhibited cell migration and anchorage independent growth, but did not influence matrix invasion. Taken together, our results demonstrate for the first time that statins act upon the Hippo pathway in CMT cells to counteract several molecular and cellular hallmarks of cancer. These findings suggest that targeting the Hippo pathway with statins represents a novel and promising approach for the treatment canine mammary gland cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Laurence Vigneau
- Département de Pathologie et de Microbiologie, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
| | - Charlène Rico
- Département de Biomédecine Vétérinaire, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
| | - Derek Boerboom
- Département de Biomédecine Vétérinaire, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
| | - Marilène Paquet
- Département de Pathologie et de Microbiologie, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
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Wang X, Steinberg T, Dieterle MP, Ramminger I, Husari A, Tomakidi P. FAK Shutdown: Consequences on Epithelial Morphogenesis and Biomarker Expression Involving an Innovative Biomaterial for Tissue Regeneration. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22189774. [PMID: 34575938 PMCID: PMC8470904 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22189774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
By employing an innovative biohybrid membrane, the present study aimed at elucidating the mechanistic role of the focal adhesion kinase (FAK) in epithelial morphogenesis in vitro over 4, 7, and 10 days. The consequences of siRNA-mediated FAK knockdown on epithelial morphogenesis were monitored by quantifying cell layers and detecting the expression of biomarkers of epithelial differentiation and homeostasis. Histologic examination of FAK-depleted samples showed a significant increase in cell layers resembling epithelial hyperplasia. Semiquantitative fluorescence imaging (SQFI) revealed tissue homeostatic disturbances by significantly increased involucrin expression over time, persistence of yes-associated protein (YAP) and an increase of keratin (K) 1 at day 4. The dysbalanced involucrin pattern was underscored by ROCK-IISer1366 activity at day 7 and 10. SQFI data were confirmed by quantitative PCR and Western blot analysis, thereby corroborating the FAK shutdown-related expression changes. The artificial FAK shutdown was also associated with a significantly higher expression of filaggrin at day 10, sustained keratinocyte proliferation, and the dysregulated expression of K19 and vimentin. These siRNA-induced consequences indicate the mechanistic role of FAK in epithelial morphogenesis by simultaneously considering prospective biomaterial-based epithelial regenerative approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoling Wang
- Center for Dental Medicine, Division of Oral Biotechnology, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Hugstetterstr. 55, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (X.W.); (M.P.D.); (I.R.); (P.T.)
| | - Thorsten Steinberg
- Center for Dental Medicine, Division of Oral Biotechnology, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Hugstetterstr. 55, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (X.W.); (M.P.D.); (I.R.); (P.T.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Martin P. Dieterle
- Center for Dental Medicine, Division of Oral Biotechnology, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Hugstetterstr. 55, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (X.W.); (M.P.D.); (I.R.); (P.T.)
| | - Imke Ramminger
- Center for Dental Medicine, Division of Oral Biotechnology, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Hugstetterstr. 55, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (X.W.); (M.P.D.); (I.R.); (P.T.)
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Schaenzlestr. 1, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Ayman Husari
- Center for Dental Medicine, Department of Orthodontics, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Hugstetterstr. 55, 79106 Freiburg, Germany;
| | - Pascal Tomakidi
- Center for Dental Medicine, Division of Oral Biotechnology, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Hugstetterstr. 55, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (X.W.); (M.P.D.); (I.R.); (P.T.)
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Budel SJ, Penning MM, Penning LC. Hippo signaling pathway in companion animal diseases, an under investigated signaling cascade. Vet Q 2021; 41:172-180. [PMID: 33945400 PMCID: PMC8128184 DOI: 10.1080/01652176.2021.1923085] [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] [Indexed: 10/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The Hippo pathway is a highly conserved kinase cascade in mammals with the proteins YAP and TAZ as its most important downstream effectors that shuttle between cytoplasma and nucleus. It has a crucial role in processes such as embryogenesis, organ size control, homeostasis and tissue regeneration, where mechanosensing and/or cell-cell interactions are involved. As the pathway is associated with many essential functions in the body, its dysregulation is related to many diseases. In contrast to human pathology, a PubMed-search on Hippo, YAP/TAZ and companion animals (horse, equine, dog, canine, cat, feline) retrieved few publications. Because of its high level of functional conservation, it is anticipated that also in veterinary sciences aberrant Hippo YAP/TAZ signaling would be implicated in animal pathologies. Publications on Hippo YAP/TAZ in companion animals are mainly in cats and dogs and related to oncology. Here, we emphasize the important role of YAP/TAZ in liver diseases. First the liver has a remarkable regeneration capacity and a strict size control and the liver has a moderate liver cell renewal (homeostasis). The last years numerous papers show the importance of YAP/TAZ in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), hepatocyte differentiation and bile duct epithelial (BEC) cell survival. YAP/TAZ signaling is involved in activation of hepatic stellate cells crucial in fibrogenesis. The availability of drugs (e.g. verteporfin) targeting the YAP/TAZ pathway are described as is their potential usage in veterinary medicine. The aim of this overview is to stimulate researchers' and clinicians' interest in the potential role of Hippo YAP/TAZ signaling in veterinary medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaydee J Budel
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marloes M Penning
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Louis C Penning
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Sammarco A, Gomiero C, Sacchetto R, Beffagna G, Michieletto S, Orvieto E, Cavicchioli L, Gelain ME, Ferro S, Patruno M, Zappulli V. Wnt/β-Catenin and Hippo Pathway Deregulation in Mammary Tumors of Humans, Dogs, and Cats. Vet Pathol 2020; 57:774-790. [PMID: 32807036 DOI: 10.1177/0300985820948823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Mammary cancer is a common neoplasm in women, dogs, and cats that still represents a therapeutic challenge. Wnt/β-catenin and Hippo pathways are involved in tumor progression, cell differentiation, and metastasis. The aim of this study was to evaluate mRNA and protein expression of molecules involved in these pathways in human (HBC), canine (CMT), and feline mammary tumors (FMT). Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) for β-catenin, CCND1, YAP, TAZ, CTGF, and ANKRD1, western blotting for YAP, TAZ, and β-catenin, and immunohistochemistry for estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), ERBB2, β-catenin, and YAP/TAZ were performed on mammary tumor tissues. The protein expression of active β-catenin was higher in tumors than in healthy tissues in all 3 species. The mRNA expression of the downstream gene CCND1 was increased in HBC ER+ and CMTs compared to healthy tissues. Membranous and cytoplasmic protein expression of β-catenin were strongly negatively correlated in all 3 species. Tumors showed an increased protein expression of YAP/TAZ when compared to healthy tissues. Notably, YAP/TAZ expression was higher in triple negative breast cancers when compared to HBC ER+ and in FMTs when compared to CMTs. The mRNA expression of β-catenin, YAP, TAZ, CTGF, and ANKRD1 was not different between tumors and healthy mammary gland in the 3 species. This study demonstrates deregulation of Wnt/β-catenin and Hippo pathways in mammary tumors, which was more evident at the protein rather than the mRNA level. Wnt/β-catenin and Hippo pathways seem to be involved in mammary carcinogenesis and therefore represent interesting therapeutic targets that should be further investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Sammarco
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, 9308University of Padua, Italy
| | - Chiara Gomiero
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, 9308University of Padua, Italy.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, 9308University of Padua, Italy.,Neuroscience Institute - Italian National Research Council (CNR), Padua, Italy
| | - Roberta Sacchetto
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, 9308University of Padua, Italy
| | - Giorgia Beffagna
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, 9308University of Padua, Italy.,Department of Cardio-Thoraco-Vascular Sciences and Public Health, 9308University of Padua, Italy
| | | | - Enrico Orvieto
- Department of Pathology, Azienda Ospedaliera di Padova, Padua, Italy.,Department of Pathology, 18674Santa Maria della Misericordia Hospital, Rovigo, Italy
| | - Laura Cavicchioli
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, 9308University of Padua, Italy
| | - Maria Elena Gelain
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, 9308University of Padua, Italy
| | - Silvia Ferro
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, 9308University of Padua, Italy
| | - Marco Patruno
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, 9308University of Padua, Italy
| | - Valentina Zappulli
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, 9308University of Padua, Italy
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Sanz Ressel BL, Massone AR, Barbeito CG. Expression of the hippo signalling pathway effector YAP during canine epidermal tumourigenesis. Res Vet Sci 2020; 130:93-97. [PMID: 32155472 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2020.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2019] [Revised: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Cutaneous papilloma (CP) and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) are frequent epidermal tumours in dogs. In this regard, the study of the deregulated activity of signalling molecules during the epidermal tumourigenesis process could be the basis for the development of novel molecular mechanism-based antitumour treatments for CP and CSCC canine patients. Recent evidence suggests that the development and progression of CP and CSCC involve the dysregulated activation of the Hippo signalling pathway effector YAP. Thus, in the present study, we evaluated the immunohistochemical expression pattern of YAP in sections of tissue microarrays constructed from canine samples of normal epidermis, CP, preneoplastic epidermis, and CSCC. In samples of CP, preneoplastic epidermis, and CSCC, YAP expression was significantly increased relative to normal epidermis. This emerging evidence suggests that the dysregulated activity of the Hippo signalling pathway effector YAP represents a frequent event during canine epidermal tumourigenesis, pointing to this protein as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of CP and CSCC in dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berenice Liyare Sanz Ressel
- Laboratorio de Histología y Embriología Descriptiva, Experimental y Comparada (LHYEDEC), Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Adriana Raquel Massone
- Laboratorio de Patología Especial Veterinaria Dr. Bernardo Epstein, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Claudio Gustavo Barbeito
- Laboratorio de Histología y Embriología Descriptiva, Experimental y Comparada (LHYEDEC), Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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