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de Albuquerque PMM, Kotál J, Juliano MA, Tirloni L, da Silva Vaz I. In vitro identification of neutralizing epitopes of Rhipicephalus microplus serpin 17 (RmS-17). Vaccine 2024; 42:126161. [PMID: 39060200 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.126161] [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: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rhipicephalus microplus poses a significant problem for livestock worldwide and is primarily controlled with synthetic acaricides. The continuous use of acaricides results in the selection of resistance and causes environmental harm. Vaccination presents an alternative solution to this problem, although searching for the suitable antigen is still a work in progress. Salivary proteins hold promise for inclusion in vaccine formulation due to their roles in modulating host responses, assisting blood feeding and pathogen transmission. Serpins are a class of proteinase inhibitors and are among the molecules found in tick saliva that modulate host blood coagulation, inflammation, and adaptive immune responses. Previous studies have demonstrated the potential of R. microplus serpin 17 (RmS-17) to interfere with the host's defenses, and antibodies have been shown to neutralize its effects. This makes RmS-17 an putative target for vaccine development. METHODS Epitope mapping of RmS-17 was achieved using in silico approach combining linear B-cell epitope and antigenicity predictor. In addition, epitope mapping using overlapping peptides in an ELISA screening was used. The serpin tridimensional structure and the epitopes spatial location within the molecule were determined. Peptides were synthetized based on the predictions and used for the production of rabbit anti-sera. Purified IgG's were used to assess the antibodies capacity to neutralize RmS-17. RESULTS Through in silico mapping, nine potential B cell epitope regions were screened, with p1RmS-17 and p2RmS-17 selected for the experiment based on antigen prediction. In the ELISA screening using overlapping peptides, eight antibody-binding regions were identified, and p3RmS-17 and p4RmS-17 were chosen. Antibodies raised against p3RmS-17 and p4RmS-17 partially neutralized RmS-17 activity. CONCLUSION It was found that antibodies against a single epitope are sufficient to partially neutralize RmS-17 activity. These findings support the possibility of using an epitope-based vaccine for immunization against R. microplus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Machado Medeiros de Albuquerque
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), RS, Brazil; Tick-Pathogen Transmission Unit, Laboratory of Bacteriology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Jan Kotál
- Tick-Pathogen Transmission Unit, Laboratory of Bacteriology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | | | - Lucas Tirloni
- Tick-Pathogen Transmission Unit, Laboratory of Bacteriology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Itabajara da Silva Vaz
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), RS, Brazil; Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), RS, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia - Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
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Artigas-Jerónimo S, Villar M, Estrada-Peña A, Alberdi P, de la Fuente J. Subolesin knockdown in tick cells provides insights into vaccine protective mechanisms. Vaccine 2024; 42:2801-2809. [PMID: 38508929 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.03.006] [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: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Ticks as obligate blood-feeding arthropod vectors of pathogenic viruses, bacteria, protozoa and helminths associated with prevalent tick-borne diseases (TBDs) worldwide. These arthropods constitute the second vector after mosquitoes that transmit pathogens to humans and the first vector in domestic animals. Vaccines constitute the safest and more effective approach to control tick infestations and TBDs, but research is needed to identify new antigens and improve vaccine formulations. The tick protein Subolesin (Sub) is a well-known vaccine protective antigen with a highly conserved sequence at both gene and protein levels in the Ixodidae and among arthropods and vertebrates. In this study, transcriptomics and proteomics analyses were conducted together with graph theory data analysis in wild type and Sub knockdown (KD) tick ISE6 cells in order to identify and characterize the functional implications of Sub in tick cells. The results support a key role for Sub in the regulation of gene expression in ticks and the relevance of this antigen in vaccine development against ticks and TBDs. Proteins with differential representation in response to Sub KD provide insights into vaccine protective mechanisms and candidate tick protective antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Artigas-Jerónimo
- Biochemistry Section, Faculty of Science and Chemical Technologies, University of Castilla- La Mancha, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain.
| | - Margarita Villar
- Biochemistry Section, Faculty of Science and Chemical Technologies, University of Castilla- La Mancha, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain; SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo 12, 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain
| | | | - Pilar Alberdi
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo 12, 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - José de la Fuente
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo 12, 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain; Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA.
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Perez-Soria MME, López-Díaz DG, Jiménez-Ocampo R, Aguilar-Tipacamú G, Ueti MW, Mosqueda J. Immunization of cattle with a Rhipicephalus microplus chitinase peptide containing predicted B-cell epitopes reduces tick biological fitness. Parasitology 2024:1-10. [PMID: 38311342 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182024000143] [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] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Rhipicephalus microplus, the cattle fever tick, is the most important ectoparasite impacting the livestock industry worldwide. Overreliance on chemical treatments for tick control has led to the emergence of acaricide-resistant ticks and environmental contamination. An immunological strategy based on vaccines offers an alternative approach to tick control. To develop novel tick vaccines, it is crucial to identify and evaluate antigens capable of generating protection in cattle. Chitinases are enzymes that degrade older chitin at the time of moulting, therefore allowing interstadial metamorphosis. In this study, 1 R. microplus chitinase was identified and its capacity to reduce fitness in ticks fed on immunized cattle was evaluated. First, the predicted amino acid sequence was determined in 4 isolates and their similarity was analysed by bioinformatics. Four peptides containing predicted B-cell epitopes were designed. The immunogenicity of each peptide was assessed by inoculating 2 cattle, 4 times at 21 days intervals, and the antibody response was verified by indirect ELISA. A challenge experiment was conducted with those peptides that were immunogenic. The chitinase gene was successfully amplified and sequenced, enabling comparison with reference strains. Notably, a 99.32% identity and 99.84% similarity were ascertained among the sequences. Furthermore, native protein recognition was demonstrated through western blot assays. Chitinase peptide 3 reduced the weight and oviposition of engorged ticks, as well as larvae viability, exhibiting a 71% efficacy. Therefore, chitinase 3 emerges as a viable vaccine candidate, holding promise for its integration into a multiantigenic vaccine against R. microplus.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniel Gustavo López-Díaz
- Immunology and Vaccines Laboratory, College of Natural Sciences, Autonomous University of Queretaro, Queretaro, QT, Mexico
- Master's Program in Sustainable Animal Health and Production, College of Natural Sciences, Autonomous University of Queretaro, QT, Mexico
| | | | - Gabriela Aguilar-Tipacamú
- CA Salud Animal y Microbiologia Ambiental, College of Natural Sciences, Autonomous University of Queretaro, QT, Mexico
| | - Massaro W Ueti
- Animal Diseases Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Pullman, Washington, 99164, USA
| | - Juan Mosqueda
- Immunology and Vaccines Laboratory, College of Natural Sciences, Autonomous University of Queretaro, Queretaro, QT, Mexico
- CA Salud Animal y Microbiologia Ambiental, College of Natural Sciences, Autonomous University of Queretaro, QT, Mexico
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Nepveu-Traversy ME, Fausther-Bovendo H, Babuadze G(G. Human Tick-Borne Diseases and Advances in Anti-Tick Vaccine Approaches: A Comprehensive Review. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:141. [PMID: 38400125 PMCID: PMC10891567 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12020141] [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: 12/25/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
This comprehensive review explores the field of anti-tick vaccines, addressing their significance in combating tick-borne diseases of public health concern. The main objectives are to provide a brief epidemiology of diseases affecting humans and a thorough understanding of tick biology, traditional tick control methods, the development and mechanisms of anti-tick vaccines, their efficacy in field applications, associated challenges, and future prospects. Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) pose a significant and escalating threat to global health and the livestock industries due to the widespread distribution of ticks and the multitude of pathogens they transmit. Traditional tick control methods, such as acaricides and repellents, have limitations, including environmental concerns and the emergence of tick resistance. Anti-tick vaccines offer a promising alternative by targeting specific tick proteins crucial for feeding and pathogen transmission. Developing vaccines with antigens based on these essential proteins is likely to disrupt these processes. Indeed, anti-tick vaccines have shown efficacy in laboratory and field trials successfully implemented in livestock, reducing the prevalence of TBDs. However, some challenges still remain, including vaccine efficacy on different hosts, polymorphisms in ticks of the same species, and the economic considerations of adopting large-scale vaccine strategies. Emerging technologies and approaches hold promise for improving anti-tick vaccine development and expanding their impact on public health and agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hugues Fausther-Bovendo
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 75550, USA;
| | - George (Giorgi) Babuadze
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 75550, USA;
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Abbas MN, Jmel MA, Mekki I, Dijkgraaf I, Kotsyfakis M. Recent Advances in Tick Antigen Discovery and Anti-Tick Vaccine Development. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054969. [PMID: 36902400 PMCID: PMC10003026 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054969] [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: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Ticks can seriously affect human and animal health around the globe, causing significant economic losses each year. Chemical acaricides are widely used to control ticks, which negatively impact the environment and result in the emergence of acaricide-resistant tick populations. A vaccine is considered as one of the best alternative approaches to control ticks and tick-borne diseases, as it is less expensive and more effective than chemical controls. Many antigen-based vaccines have been developed as a result of current advances in transcriptomics, genomics, and proteomic techniques. A few of these (e.g., Gavac® and TickGARD®) are commercially available and are commonly used in different countries. Furthermore, a significant number of novel antigens are being investigated with the perspective of developing new anti-tick vaccines. However, more research is required to develop new and more efficient antigen-based vaccines, including on assessing the efficiency of various epitopes against different tick species to confirm their cross-reactivity and their high immunogenicity. In this review, we discuss the recent advancements in the development of antigen-based vaccines (traditional and RNA-based) and provide a brief overview of recent discoveries of novel antigens, along with their sources, characteristics, and the methods used to test their efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Nadeem Abbas
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Mohamed Amine Jmel
- Laboratory of Genomics and Proteomics of Disease Vectors, Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, 37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Imen Mekki
- Laboratory of Genomics and Proteomics of Disease Vectors, Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, 37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Ingrid Dijkgraaf
- Department of Biochemistry, CARIM, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Michail Kotsyfakis
- Laboratory of Genomics and Proteomics of Disease Vectors, Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, 37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
- Correspondence:
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Tsujimoto H, Metz HC, Smith AA, Sakamoto JM, Pal U, Rasgon JL. Function and evolution of the aquaporin IsAQP1 in the Lyme disease vector Ixodes scapularis. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023. [PMID: 36680546 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Ticks are important vectors of pathogenic viruses, bacteria, and protozoans to humans, wildlife, and domestic animals. Due to their life cycles, ticks face significant challenges related to water homeostasis. When blood-feeding, they must excrete water and ions, but when off-host (for stretches lasting several months), they must conserve water to avoid desiccation. Aquaporins (AQPs), a family of membrane-bound water channels, are key players in osmoregulation in many animals but remain poorly characterized in ticks. Here, we bioinformatically identified AQP-like genes from the deer tick Ixodes scapularis and used phylogenetic approaches to map the evolution of the aquaporin gene family in arthropods. Most arachnid AQP-like sequences (including those of I. scapularis) formed a monophyletic group clustered within aquaglycerolporins (GLPs) from bacteria to vertebrates. This gene family is absent from insects, revealing divergent evolutionary paths for AQPs in different hematophagous arthropods. Next, we sequenced the full-length cDNA of I. scapularis aquaporin 1 (IsAQP1) and expressed it heterologously in Xenopus oocytes to functionally characterize its permeability to water and solutes. Additionally, we examined IsAQP1 expression across different life stages and adult female organs. We found IsAQP1 is an efficient water channel with high expression in salivary glands prior to feeding, suggesting it plays a role in osmoregulation before or during blood feeding. Its functional properties are unique: unlike most GLPs, IsAQP1 has low glycerol permeability, and unlike most AQPs, it is insensitive to mercury. Together, our results suggest IsAQP1 plays an important role in tick water balance physiology and that it may hold promise as a target of novel vector control efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hitoshi Tsujimoto
- Department of Entomology, Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics and the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Hillery C Metz
- Department of Entomology, Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics and the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Alexis A Smith
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Joyce M Sakamoto
- Department of Entomology, Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics and the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Utpal Pal
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Jason L Rasgon
- Department of Entomology, Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics and the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
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Zeb I, Almutairi MM, Alouffi A, Islam N, Parizi LF, Safi SZ, Tanaka T, da Silva Vaz I, Ali A. Low Genetic Polymorphism in the Immunogenic Sequences of Rhipicephalus microplus Clade C. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:1909. [PMID: 36423005 PMCID: PMC9697226 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10111909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Rhipicephalus microplus tick highly affects the veterinary sector throughout the world. Different tick control methods have been adopted, and the identification of tick-derived highly immunogenic sequences for the development of an anti-tick vaccine has emerged as a successful alternate. This study aimed to characterize immunogenic sequences from R. microplus ticks prevalent in Pakistan. Ticks collected in the field were morphologically identified and subjected to DNA and RNA extraction. Ticks were molecularly identified based on the partial mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit (cox) sequence and screened for piroplasms (Theileria/Babesia spp.), Rickettsia spp., and Anaplasma spp. PCR-based pathogens-free R. microplus-derived cDNA was used for the amplification of full-length cysteine protease inhibitor (cystatin 2b), cathepsin L-like cysteine proteinase (cathepsin-L), glutathione S-transferase (GST), ferritin 1, 60S acidic ribosomal protein (P0), aquaporin 2, ATAQ, and R. microplus 05 antigen (Rm05Uy) coding sequences. The cox sequence revealed 100% identity with the nucleotide sequences of Pakistan's formerly reported R. microplus, and full-length immunogenic sequences revealed maximum identities to the most similar sequences reported from India, China, Cuba, USA, Brazil, Egypt, Mexico, Israel, and Uruguay. Low nonsynonymous polymorphisms were observed in ATAQ (1.5%), cathepsin-L (0.6%), and aquaporin 2 (0.4%) sequences compared to the homologous sequences from Mexico, India, and the USA, respectively. Based on the cox sequence, R. microplus was phylogenetically assembled in clade C, which includes R. microplus from Pakistan, Myanmar, Malaysia, Thailand, Bangladesh, and India. In the phylogenetic trees, the cystatin 2b, cathepsin-L, ferritin 1, and aquaporin 2 sequences were clustered with the most similar available sequences of R. microplus, P0 with R. microplus, R. sanguineus and R. haemaphysaloides, and GST, ATAQ, and Rm05Uy with R. microplus and R. annulatus. This is the first report on the molecular characterization of clade C R. microplus-derived immunogenic sequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ismail Zeb
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan 23200, Pakistan
| | - Mashal M Almutairi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulaziz Alouffi
- King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Riyadh 12354, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nabila Islam
- Department of Chemistry, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan 23200, Pakistan
| | - Luís Fernando Parizi
- Centro de Biotecnologia and Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Campus do Vale, Porto Alegre 91501-970, RS, Brazil
| | - Sher Zaman Safi
- Faculty of Medicine, Bioscience and Nursing, MAHSA University, Jenjarom 42610, Malaysia
| | - Tetsuya Tanaka
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
| | - Itabajara da Silva Vaz
- Centro de Biotecnologia and Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Campus do Vale, Porto Alegre 91501-970, RS, Brazil
| | - Abid Ali
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan 23200, Pakistan
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Pérez-Sánchez R, Cano-Argüelles AL, González-Sánchez M, Oleaga A. First Data on Ornithodoros moubata Aquaporins: Structural, Phylogenetic and Immunogenic Characterisation as Vaccine Targets. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11060694. [PMID: 35745548 PMCID: PMC9227307 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11060694] [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: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Ornithodoros moubata transmits African swine fever and human relapsing fever in Africa. The elimination of O. moubata populations from anthropic environments is expected to improve the prevention and control of these diseases. Tick vaccines have emerged as a sustainable method for tick control, and tick aquaporins (AQPs) are promising targets for tick vaccines due to their vital functions, immunogenicity and ease of access by neutralising host antibodies. This study aimed at the systematic identification of the AQPs expressed by O. moubata (OmAQPs) and their characterisation as vaccine targets. Therefore, AQP coding sequences were recovered from available transcriptomic datasets, followed by PCR amplification, cloning, sequence verification and the analysis of the AQP protein structure and epitope exposure. Seven OmAQPs were identified and characterised: six were aquaglyceroporins, and one was a water-specific aquaporin. All of these were expressed in the salivary glands and midgut and only three in the coxal glands. Epitope exposure analysis identified three extracellular domains in each AQP, which concentrate overlapping B and T cell epitopes, making them interesting vaccine targets. Based on these domain sequences, a set of ten antigenic peptides was designed, which showed adequate properties to be produced and tested in pilot vaccine trials.
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