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Xu Z. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated silencing of CD44: unveiling the role of hyaluronic acid-mediated interactions in cancer drug resistance. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERG'S ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY 2024; 397:2849-2876. [PMID: 37991544 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-023-02840-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
A comprehensive overview of CD44 (CD44 Molecule (Indian Blood Group)), a cell surface glycoprotein, and its interaction with hyaluronic acid (HA) in drug resistance mechanisms across various types of cancer is provided, where CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing was utilized to silence CD44 expression and examine its impact on cancer cell behavior, migration, invasion, proliferation, and drug sensitivity. The significance of the HA-CD44 axis in tumor microenvironment (TME) delivery and its implications in specific cancer types, the influence of CD44 variants and the KHDRBS3 (KH RNA Binding Domain Containing, Signal Transduction Associated 3) gene on cancer progression and drug resistance, and the potential of targeting HA-mediated pathways using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology to overcome drug resistance in cancer were also highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhujun Xu
- Wuhan No.1 Hospital, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei, China.
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2
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Ziranu P, Pretta A, Aimola V, Cau F, Mariani S, D’Agata AP, Codipietro C, Rizzo D, Dell’Utri V, Sanna G, Moledda G, Cadoni A, Lai E, Puzzoni M, Pusceddu V, Castagnola M, Scartozzi M, Faa G. CD44: A New Prognostic Marker in Colorectal Cancer? Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1569. [PMID: 38672650 PMCID: PMC11048923 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16081569] [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: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Cluster of differentiation 44 (CD44) is a non-kinase cell surface glycoprotein. It is overexpressed in several cell types, including cancer stem cells (CSCs). Cells overexpressing CD44 exhibit several CSC traits, such as self-renewal, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) capability, and resistance to chemo- and radiotherapy. The role of CD44 in maintaining stemness and the CSC function in tumor progression is accomplished by binding to its main ligand, hyaluronan (HA). The HA-CD44 complex activates several signaling pathways that lead to cell proliferation, adhesion, migration, and invasion. The CD44 gene regularly undergoes alternative splicing, resulting in the standard (CD44s) and variant (CD44v) isoforms. The different functional roles of CD44s and specific CD44v isoforms still need to be fully understood. The clinicopathological impact of CD44 and its isoforms in promoting tumorigenesis suggests that CD44 could be a molecular target for cancer therapy. Furthermore, the recent association observed between CD44 and KRAS-dependent carcinomas and the potential correlations between CD44 and tumor mutational burden (TMB) and microsatellite instability (MSI) open new research scenarios for developing new strategies in cancer treatment. This review summarises current research regarding the different CD44 isoform structures, their roles, and functions in supporting tumorigenesis and discusses its therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pina Ziranu
- Medical Oncology Unit, University Hospital and University of Cagliari, SS 554 km 4500 Bivio per Sestu, Monserrato, 09042 Cagliari, Italy; (A.P.); (S.M.); (A.P.D.); (C.C.); (D.R.); (V.D.); (G.S.); (G.M.); (A.C.); (E.L.); (M.P.); (V.P.); (M.S.)
| | - Andrea Pretta
- Medical Oncology Unit, University Hospital and University of Cagliari, SS 554 km 4500 Bivio per Sestu, Monserrato, 09042 Cagliari, Italy; (A.P.); (S.M.); (A.P.D.); (C.C.); (D.R.); (V.D.); (G.S.); (G.M.); (A.C.); (E.L.); (M.P.); (V.P.); (M.S.)
| | - Valentina Aimola
- Division of Pathology, Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, AOU Cagliari, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy; (V.A.); (F.C.)
| | - Flaviana Cau
- Division of Pathology, Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, AOU Cagliari, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy; (V.A.); (F.C.)
| | - Stefano Mariani
- Medical Oncology Unit, University Hospital and University of Cagliari, SS 554 km 4500 Bivio per Sestu, Monserrato, 09042 Cagliari, Italy; (A.P.); (S.M.); (A.P.D.); (C.C.); (D.R.); (V.D.); (G.S.); (G.M.); (A.C.); (E.L.); (M.P.); (V.P.); (M.S.)
| | - Alessandra Pia D’Agata
- Medical Oncology Unit, University Hospital and University of Cagliari, SS 554 km 4500 Bivio per Sestu, Monserrato, 09042 Cagliari, Italy; (A.P.); (S.M.); (A.P.D.); (C.C.); (D.R.); (V.D.); (G.S.); (G.M.); (A.C.); (E.L.); (M.P.); (V.P.); (M.S.)
| | - Claudia Codipietro
- Medical Oncology Unit, University Hospital and University of Cagliari, SS 554 km 4500 Bivio per Sestu, Monserrato, 09042 Cagliari, Italy; (A.P.); (S.M.); (A.P.D.); (C.C.); (D.R.); (V.D.); (G.S.); (G.M.); (A.C.); (E.L.); (M.P.); (V.P.); (M.S.)
| | - Daiana Rizzo
- Medical Oncology Unit, University Hospital and University of Cagliari, SS 554 km 4500 Bivio per Sestu, Monserrato, 09042 Cagliari, Italy; (A.P.); (S.M.); (A.P.D.); (C.C.); (D.R.); (V.D.); (G.S.); (G.M.); (A.C.); (E.L.); (M.P.); (V.P.); (M.S.)
| | - Veronica Dell’Utri
- Medical Oncology Unit, University Hospital and University of Cagliari, SS 554 km 4500 Bivio per Sestu, Monserrato, 09042 Cagliari, Italy; (A.P.); (S.M.); (A.P.D.); (C.C.); (D.R.); (V.D.); (G.S.); (G.M.); (A.C.); (E.L.); (M.P.); (V.P.); (M.S.)
| | - Giorgia Sanna
- Medical Oncology Unit, University Hospital and University of Cagliari, SS 554 km 4500 Bivio per Sestu, Monserrato, 09042 Cagliari, Italy; (A.P.); (S.M.); (A.P.D.); (C.C.); (D.R.); (V.D.); (G.S.); (G.M.); (A.C.); (E.L.); (M.P.); (V.P.); (M.S.)
| | - Giusy Moledda
- Medical Oncology Unit, University Hospital and University of Cagliari, SS 554 km 4500 Bivio per Sestu, Monserrato, 09042 Cagliari, Italy; (A.P.); (S.M.); (A.P.D.); (C.C.); (D.R.); (V.D.); (G.S.); (G.M.); (A.C.); (E.L.); (M.P.); (V.P.); (M.S.)
| | - Andrea Cadoni
- Medical Oncology Unit, University Hospital and University of Cagliari, SS 554 km 4500 Bivio per Sestu, Monserrato, 09042 Cagliari, Italy; (A.P.); (S.M.); (A.P.D.); (C.C.); (D.R.); (V.D.); (G.S.); (G.M.); (A.C.); (E.L.); (M.P.); (V.P.); (M.S.)
| | - Eleonora Lai
- Medical Oncology Unit, University Hospital and University of Cagliari, SS 554 km 4500 Bivio per Sestu, Monserrato, 09042 Cagliari, Italy; (A.P.); (S.M.); (A.P.D.); (C.C.); (D.R.); (V.D.); (G.S.); (G.M.); (A.C.); (E.L.); (M.P.); (V.P.); (M.S.)
| | - Marco Puzzoni
- Medical Oncology Unit, University Hospital and University of Cagliari, SS 554 km 4500 Bivio per Sestu, Monserrato, 09042 Cagliari, Italy; (A.P.); (S.M.); (A.P.D.); (C.C.); (D.R.); (V.D.); (G.S.); (G.M.); (A.C.); (E.L.); (M.P.); (V.P.); (M.S.)
| | - Valeria Pusceddu
- Medical Oncology Unit, University Hospital and University of Cagliari, SS 554 km 4500 Bivio per Sestu, Monserrato, 09042 Cagliari, Italy; (A.P.); (S.M.); (A.P.D.); (C.C.); (D.R.); (V.D.); (G.S.); (G.M.); (A.C.); (E.L.); (M.P.); (V.P.); (M.S.)
| | - Massimo Castagnola
- Proteomics Laboratory, Centro Europeo di Ricerca sul Cervello, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00013 Rome, Italy;
| | - Mario Scartozzi
- Medical Oncology Unit, University Hospital and University of Cagliari, SS 554 km 4500 Bivio per Sestu, Monserrato, 09042 Cagliari, Italy; (A.P.); (S.M.); (A.P.D.); (C.C.); (D.R.); (V.D.); (G.S.); (G.M.); (A.C.); (E.L.); (M.P.); (V.P.); (M.S.)
| | - Gavino Faa
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, AOU Cagliari, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy;
- Department of Biology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA
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Deng H, Gao J, Cao B, Qiu Z, Li T, Zhao R, Li H, Wei B. LncRNA CCAT2 promotes malignant progression of metastatic gastric cancer through regulating CD44 alternative splicing. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2023; 46:1675-1690. [PMID: 37354353 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-023-00835-4] [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] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most malignant tumors worldwide. Thus, it is necessary to explore the underlying mechanisms of GC progression and develop novel therapeutic regimens. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been demonstrated to be abnormally expressed and regulate the malignant behaviors of cancer cells. Our previous research demonstrated that lncRNA colon cancer-associated transcript 2 (CCAT2) has potential value for GC diagnosis and discrimination. However, the functional mechanisms of lncRNA CCAT2 in GC development remain to be explored. METHODS GC and normal adjacent tissues were collected to detect the expression of lncRNA CCAT2, ESRP1 and CD44 in clinical specimens and their clinical significance for GC patients. Cell counting kit-8, wound healing and transwell assays were conducted to investigate the malignant behaviors in vitro. The generation of nude mouse xenografts by subcutaneous, intraperitoneal and tail vein injection was performed to examine GC growth and metastasis in vivo. Co-immunoprecipitation, RNA-binding protein pull-down assay and fluorescence in situ hybridization were performed to reveal the binding relationships between ESRP1 and CD44. RESULTS In the present study, lncRNA CCAT2 was overexpressed in GC tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues and correlated with short survival time of patients. lncRNA CCAT2 promoted the proliferation, migration and invasion of GC cells. Its overexpression modulates alternative splicing of Cluster of differentiation 44 (CD44) variants and facilitates the conversion from the standard form to variable CD44 isoform 6 (CD44v6). Mechanistically, lncRNA CCAT2 upregulated CD44v6 expression by binding to epithelial splicing regulatory protein 1 (ESRP1), which subsequently mediates CD44 alternative splicing. The oncogenic role of the lncRNA CCAT2/ESRP1/CD44 axis in the promotion of malignant behaviors was verified by both in vivo and in vitro experiments. CONCLUSIONS Our findings identified a novel mechanism by which lncRNA CCAT2, as a type of protein-binding RNA, regulates alternative splicing of CD44 and promotes GC progression. This axis may become an effective target for clinical diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Deng
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China
- Department of General Surgery, First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, 28 Fuxing Rd, Beijing, 100853, China
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Jingwang Gao
- Department of General Surgery, First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, 28 Fuxing Rd, Beijing, 100853, China
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Bo Cao
- Department of General Surgery, First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, 28 Fuxing Rd, Beijing, 100853, China
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Ziyu Qiu
- Health Service Department of the Guard Bureau of the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Beijing, 100091, China
| | - Tian Li
- School of Basic Medicine, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710021, China
| | - Ruiyang Zhao
- Department of General Surgery, First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, 28 Fuxing Rd, Beijing, 100853, China
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Hanghang Li
- Department of General Surgery, First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, 28 Fuxing Rd, Beijing, 100853, China
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Bo Wei
- Department of General Surgery, First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, 28 Fuxing Rd, Beijing, 100853, China.
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, 100853, China.
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Nicolazzo C, Francescangeli F, Magri V, Giuliani A, Zeuner A, Gazzaniga P. Is cancer an intelligent species? Cancer Metastasis Rev 2023; 42:1201-1218. [PMID: 37540301 PMCID: PMC10713722 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-023-10123-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Some relevant emerging properties of intelligent systems are "adaptation to a changing environment," "reaction to unexpected situations," "capacity of problem solving," and "ability to communicate." Single cells have remarkable abilities to adapt, make adequate context-dependent decision, take constructive actions, and communicate, thus theoretically meeting all the above-mentioned requirements. From a biological point of view, cancer can be viewed as an invasive species, composed of cells that move from primary to distant sites, being continuously exposed to changes in the environmental conditions. Blood represents the first hostile habitat that a cancer cell encounters once detached from the primary site, so that cancer cells must rapidly carry out multiple adaptation strategies to survive. The aim of this review was to deepen the adaptation mechanisms of cancer cells in the blood microenvironment, particularly referring to four adaptation strategies typical of animal species (phenotypic adaptation, metabolic adaptation, niche adaptation, and collective adaptation), which together define the broad concept of biological intelligence. We provided evidence that the required adaptations (either structural, metabolic, and related to metastatic niche formation) and "social" behavior are useful principles allowing putting into a coherent frame many features of circulating cancer cells. This interpretative frame is described by the comparison with analog behavioral traits typical of various animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Nicolazzo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Francescangeli
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Magri
- Department of Pathology, Oncology and Radiology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Giuliani
- Environment and Health Department, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Ann Zeuner
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Gazzaniga
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy.
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Lodewijk I, Dueñas M, Paramio JM, Rubio C. CD44v6, STn & O-GD2: promising tumor associated antigens paving the way for new targeted cancer therapies. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1272681. [PMID: 37854601 PMCID: PMC10579806 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1272681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Targeted therapies are the state of the art in oncology today, and every year new Tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) are developed for preclinical research and clinical trials, but few of them really change the therapeutic scenario. Difficulties, either to find antigens that are solely expressed in tumors or the generation of good binders to these antigens, represent a major bottleneck. Specialized cellular mechanisms, such as differential splicing and glycosylation processes, are a good source of neo-antigen expression. Changes in these processes generate surface proteins that, instead of showing decreased or increased antigen expression driven by enhanced mRNA processing, are aberrant in nature and therefore more specific targets to elicit a precise anti-tumor therapy. Here, we present promising TAAs demonstrated to be potential targets for cancer monitoring, targeted therapy and the generation of new immunotherapy tools, such as recombinant antibodies and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell (CAR-T) or Chimeric Antigen Receptor-Engineered Natural Killer (CAR-NK) for specific tumor killing, in a wide variety of tumor types. Specifically, this review is a detailed update on TAAs CD44v6, STn and O-GD2, describing their origin as well as their current and potential use as disease biomarker and therapeutic target in a diversity of tumor types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iris Lodewijk
- Biomedical Research Institute I+12, University Hospital “12 de Octubre”, Madrid, Spain
- Molecular Oncology Unit, CIEMAT (Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas), Madrid, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Center on Oncology-CIBERONC, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Dueñas
- Biomedical Research Institute I+12, University Hospital “12 de Octubre”, Madrid, Spain
- Molecular Oncology Unit, CIEMAT (Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas), Madrid, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Center on Oncology-CIBERONC, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesus M. Paramio
- Biomedical Research Institute I+12, University Hospital “12 de Octubre”, Madrid, Spain
- Molecular Oncology Unit, CIEMAT (Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas), Madrid, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Center on Oncology-CIBERONC, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carolina Rubio
- Biomedical Research Institute I+12, University Hospital “12 de Octubre”, Madrid, Spain
- Molecular Oncology Unit, CIEMAT (Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas), Madrid, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Center on Oncology-CIBERONC, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
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Ghatak S, Hascall VC, Karamanos N, Markwald RR, Misra S. Chemotherapy induces feedback up-regulation of CD44v6 in colorectal cancer initiating cells through β-catenin/MDR1 signaling to sustain chemoresistance. Front Oncol 2022; 12:906260. [PMID: 36330477 PMCID: PMC9623568 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.906260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemoresistance in colorectal cancer initiating cells (CICs) involves the sustained activation of multiple drug resistance (MDR) and WNT/β-catenin signaling pathways, as well as of alternatively spliced-isoforms of CD44 containing variable exon-6 (CD44v6). In spite of its importance, mechanisms underlying the sustained activity of WNT/β-catenin signaling have remained elusive. The presence of binding elements of the β-catenin-interacting transcription factor TCF4 in the MDR1 and CD44 promoters suggests that crosstalk between WNT/β-catenin/TCF4-activation and the expression of the CD44v6 isoform mediated by FOLFOX, a first-line chemotherapeutic agent for colorectal cancer, could be a fundamental mechanism of FOLFOX resistance. Our results identify that FOLFOX treatment induced WNT3A secretion, which stimulated a positive feedback loop coupling β-catenin signaling and CD44v6 splicing. In conjunction with FOLFOX induced WNT3A signal, specific CD44v6 variants produced by alternative splicing subsequently enhance the late wave of WNT/β-catenin activation to facilitate cell cycle progression. Moreover, we revealed that FOLFOX-mediated sustained WNT signal requires the formation of a CD44v6-LRP6-signalosome in caveolin microdomains, which leads to increased FOLFOX efflux. FOLFOX-resistance in colorectal CICs occurs in the absence of tumor-suppressor disabled-2 (DAB2), an inhibitor of WNT/β-catenin signaling. Conversely, in sensitive cells, DAB2 inhibition of WNT-signaling requires interaction with a clathrin containing CD44v6-LRP6-signalosome. Furthermore, full-length CD44v6, once internalized through the caveolin-signalosome, is translocated to the nucleus where in complex with TCF4, it binds to β-catenin/TCF4-regulated MDR1, or to CD44 promoters, which leads to FOLFOX-resistance and CD44v6 transcription through transcriptional-reprogramming. These findings provide evidence that targeting CD44v6-mediated LRP6/β-catenin-signaling and drug efflux may represent a novel approach to overcome FOLFOX resistance and inhibit tumor progression in colorectal CICs. Thus, sustained drug resistance in colorectal CICs is mediated by overexpression of CD44v6, which is both a functional biomarker and a therapeutic target in colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shibnath Ghatak
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
- Department Natural Sciences, Trident Technical College, North Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Vincent C. Hascall
- Department of Biomedical Engineering/ND20, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Nikos Karamanos
- University of Patras, Matrix Pathobiology Res. Group, Department of Chemistry, Patras, Greece
| | - Roger R. Markwald
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Suniti Misra
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
- Department Natural Sciences, Trident Technical College, North Charleston, SC, United States
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De Angelis ML, Francescangeli F, Nicolazzo C, Xhelili E, La Torre F, Colace L, Bruselles A, Macchia D, Vitale S, Gazzaniga P, Baiocchi M, Zeuner A. An Orthotopic Patient-Derived Xenograft (PDX) Model Allows the Analysis of Metastasis-Associated Features in Colorectal Cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:869485. [PMID: 35837106 PMCID: PMC9275818 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.869485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastasis is the primary cause of death in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), urging the need for preclinical models that recapitulate the metastatic process at the individual patient level. We used an orthotopic patient-derived xenograft (PDX) obtained through the direct implantation of freshly dissociated CRC cells in the colon of immunocompromised mice to model the metastatic process. Ortho-PDX engraftment was associated to a specific set of molecular features of the parental tumor, such as epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), TGF-β pathway activation, increased expression of stemness-associated factors and higher numbers of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) clusters expressing the metastatic marker CD44v6. A parallel analysis of orthotopic/metastatic xenografts and organoids showed that tumor cells underwent mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition at the metastatic site and that metastasis-derived organoids had increased chemotherapy resistance. These observations support the usefulness of ortho-PDX as a preclinical model to study metastasis-related features and provide preliminary evidence that EMT/stemness properties of primary colorectal tumors may be crucial for orthotopic tumor engraftment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Laura De Angelis
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Chiara Nicolazzo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Liquid Biopsy Unit, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Eljona Xhelili
- Surgical Sciences and Emergency Department, Policlinico Umberto I/Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Filippo La Torre
- Surgical Sciences and Emergency Department, Policlinico Umberto I/Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Lidia Colace
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Policlinico Umberto I/Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Bruselles
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniele Macchia
- Center of Animal research and Welfare, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Vitale
- Department of Medicine and Traslational Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Gazzaniga
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Liquid Biopsy Unit, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Marta Baiocchi
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Ann Zeuner
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
- *Correspondence: Ann Zeuner,
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Tieng FYF, Abu N, Nasir SN, Lee LH, Ab Mutalib NS. Liquid Biopsy-Based Colorectal Cancer Screening via Surface Markers of Circulating Tumor Cells. Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:2136. [PMID: 34829483 PMCID: PMC8618170 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11112136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is ranked second for cancer-related deaths worldwide with approximately half of the patients being diagnosed at the late stages. The untimely detection of CRC results in advancement to the metastatic stage and nearly 90% of cancer-related deaths. The early detection of CRC is crucial to decrease its overall incidence and mortality rates. The recent introduction of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) has enabled a less invasive sampling method from liquid biopsies, besides revealing key information toward CRC metastasis. The current gold standard for CTC identification is the CellSearch® system (Veridex). This first-generation instrumentation relies on a single cell surface marker (CSM) to capture and count CTCs. Detection of CTCs allows the identification of patients at risk for metastasis, whereas CTC enumeration could improve risk assessment, monitoring of systemic therapy, and detection of therapy resistance in advanced metastatic CRC. In this review, we compared the pros and cons between single CSM-based CTC enrichment techniques and multi-marker-based systems. We also highlighted the challenges faced in the routine implementation of CSM-dependent CTC detection methods in CRC screening, prediction, prognosis, disease monitoring, and therapy selection toward precision medicine, as well as the dwelling on post-CTC analysis and characterization methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francis Yew Fu Tieng
- UKM Medical Molecular Biology Institute (UMBI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia; (F.Y.F.T.); (N.A.); (S.N.N.)
| | - Nadiah Abu
- UKM Medical Molecular Biology Institute (UMBI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia; (F.Y.F.T.); (N.A.); (S.N.N.)
| | - Siti Nurmi Nasir
- UKM Medical Molecular Biology Institute (UMBI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia; (F.Y.F.T.); (N.A.); (S.N.N.)
| | - Learn-Han Lee
- Novel Bacteria and Drug Discovery Research Group, Microbiome and Bioresource Research Strength, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University of Malaysia, Subang Jaya 47500, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Nurul-Syakima Ab Mutalib
- UKM Medical Molecular Biology Institute (UMBI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia; (F.Y.F.T.); (N.A.); (S.N.N.)
- Novel Bacteria and Drug Discovery Research Group, Microbiome and Bioresource Research Strength, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University of Malaysia, Subang Jaya 47500, Selangor, Malaysia
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 50300, Malaysia
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9
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Belthier G, Homayed Z, Grillet F, Duperray C, Vendrell J, Krol I, Bravo S, Boyer JC, Villeronce O, Vitre-Boubaker J, Heaug-Wane D, Macari-Fine F, Smith J, Merlot M, Lossaint G, Mazard T, Portales F, Solassol J, Ychou M, Aceto N, Mamessier E, Bertucci F, Pascussi JM, Samalin E, Hollande F, Pannequin J. CD44v6 Defines a New Population of Circulating Tumor Cells Not Expressing EpCAM. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13194966. [PMID: 34638450 PMCID: PMC8508506 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13194966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary In the present work, we describe (for the first time) the use of the transmembrane protein, CD44v6, to detect CTCs from blood samples of several patients with colorectal or breast cancer. We used CD44v6 antibodies to demonstrate that live CTCs can be specifically purified from CRC patient blood samples via magnetic bead- or FACS-based isolation techniques. Finally, we demonstrated that CD44v6-positive CTCs rarely expressed EpCam, which is currently the gold standard to enumerate CTCs, suggesting the need to use a combination of markers for a more comprehensive view of CTC heterogeneity. Abstract Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are promising diagnostic and prognostic tools for clinical use. In several cancers, including colorectal and breast, the CTC load has been associated with a therapeutic response as well as progression-free and overall survival. However, counting and isolating CTCs remains sub-optimal because they are currently largely identified by epithelial markers such as EpCAM. New, complementary CTC surface markers are therefore urgently needed. We previously demonstrated that a splice variant of CD44, CD44 variable alternative exon 6 (CD44v6), is highly and specifically expressed by CTC cell lines derived from blood samples in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Two different approaches—immune detection coupled with magnetic beads and fluorescence-activated cell sorting—were optimized to purify CTCs from patient blood samples based on high expressions of CD44v6. We revealed the potential of the CD44v6 as a complementary marker to EpCAM to detect and purify CTCs in colorectal cancer blood samples. Furthermore, this marker is not restricted to colorectal cancer since CD44v6 is also expressed on CTCs from breast cancer patients. Overall, these results strongly suggest that CD44v6 could be useful to enumerate and purify CTCs from cancers of different origins, paving the way to more efficacious combined markers that encompass CTC heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Belthier
- Institute of Functional Genomics (IGF), UMR5203 CNRS, U1191 INSERM and UM, 34094 Montpellier, France; (G.B.); (Z.H.); (F.G.); (O.V.); (J.V.-B.); (D.H.-W.); (F.M.-F.); (J.M.P.); (E.S.)
| | - Zeinab Homayed
- Institute of Functional Genomics (IGF), UMR5203 CNRS, U1191 INSERM and UM, 34094 Montpellier, France; (G.B.); (Z.H.); (F.G.); (O.V.); (J.V.-B.); (D.H.-W.); (F.M.-F.); (J.M.P.); (E.S.)
| | - Fanny Grillet
- Institute of Functional Genomics (IGF), UMR5203 CNRS, U1191 INSERM and UM, 34094 Montpellier, France; (G.B.); (Z.H.); (F.G.); (O.V.); (J.V.-B.); (D.H.-W.); (F.M.-F.); (J.M.P.); (E.S.)
| | | | - Julie Vendrell
- Department of Pathology and Onco-Biology, CHU Montpellier, 34295 Montpellier, France; (J.V.); (J.S.)
| | - Ilona Krol
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland; (I.K.); (N.A.)
| | - Sophie Bravo
- Laboratoire de Biochimie, CHU Carémeau, 30900 Nîmes, France; (S.B.); (J.-C.B.)
| | | | - Olivia Villeronce
- Institute of Functional Genomics (IGF), UMR5203 CNRS, U1191 INSERM and UM, 34094 Montpellier, France; (G.B.); (Z.H.); (F.G.); (O.V.); (J.V.-B.); (D.H.-W.); (F.M.-F.); (J.M.P.); (E.S.)
| | - Jihane Vitre-Boubaker
- Institute of Functional Genomics (IGF), UMR5203 CNRS, U1191 INSERM and UM, 34094 Montpellier, France; (G.B.); (Z.H.); (F.G.); (O.V.); (J.V.-B.); (D.H.-W.); (F.M.-F.); (J.M.P.); (E.S.)
| | - Diana Heaug-Wane
- Institute of Functional Genomics (IGF), UMR5203 CNRS, U1191 INSERM and UM, 34094 Montpellier, France; (G.B.); (Z.H.); (F.G.); (O.V.); (J.V.-B.); (D.H.-W.); (F.M.-F.); (J.M.P.); (E.S.)
| | - Françoise Macari-Fine
- Institute of Functional Genomics (IGF), UMR5203 CNRS, U1191 INSERM and UM, 34094 Montpellier, France; (G.B.); (Z.H.); (F.G.); (O.V.); (J.V.-B.); (D.H.-W.); (F.M.-F.); (J.M.P.); (E.S.)
| | - Jai Smith
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia; (J.S.); (F.H.)
- University of Melbourne Centre for Cancer Research, Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Matthieu Merlot
- Medical Oncology Department, Institut du Cancer de Montpellier (ICM), University Montpellier, 34298 Montpellier, France; (M.M.); (G.L.); (T.M.); (F.P.); (M.Y.)
| | - Gérald Lossaint
- Medical Oncology Department, Institut du Cancer de Montpellier (ICM), University Montpellier, 34298 Montpellier, France; (M.M.); (G.L.); (T.M.); (F.P.); (M.Y.)
| | - Thibault Mazard
- Medical Oncology Department, Institut du Cancer de Montpellier (ICM), University Montpellier, 34298 Montpellier, France; (M.M.); (G.L.); (T.M.); (F.P.); (M.Y.)
| | - Fabienne Portales
- Medical Oncology Department, Institut du Cancer de Montpellier (ICM), University Montpellier, 34298 Montpellier, France; (M.M.); (G.L.); (T.M.); (F.P.); (M.Y.)
| | - Jérôme Solassol
- Department of Pathology and Onco-Biology, CHU Montpellier, 34295 Montpellier, France; (J.V.); (J.S.)
- Montpellier Research Cancer Institute (IRCM), INSERM U1194, University of Montpellier, 34298 Montpellier, France
| | - Marc Ychou
- Medical Oncology Department, Institut du Cancer de Montpellier (ICM), University Montpellier, 34298 Montpellier, France; (M.M.); (G.L.); (T.M.); (F.P.); (M.Y.)
| | - Nicola Aceto
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland; (I.K.); (N.A.)
| | - Emilie Mamessier
- Predictive Oncology Laboratory, Cancer Research Center of Marseille (CRCM), Inserm U1068, CNRS UMR7258, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Aix Marseille Université, 13009 Marseille, France; (E.M.); (F.B.)
| | - François Bertucci
- Predictive Oncology Laboratory, Cancer Research Center of Marseille (CRCM), Inserm U1068, CNRS UMR7258, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Aix Marseille Université, 13009 Marseille, France; (E.M.); (F.B.)
| | - Jean Marc Pascussi
- Institute of Functional Genomics (IGF), UMR5203 CNRS, U1191 INSERM and UM, 34094 Montpellier, France; (G.B.); (Z.H.); (F.G.); (O.V.); (J.V.-B.); (D.H.-W.); (F.M.-F.); (J.M.P.); (E.S.)
| | - Emmanuelle Samalin
- Institute of Functional Genomics (IGF), UMR5203 CNRS, U1191 INSERM and UM, 34094 Montpellier, France; (G.B.); (Z.H.); (F.G.); (O.V.); (J.V.-B.); (D.H.-W.); (F.M.-F.); (J.M.P.); (E.S.)
- Medical Oncology Department, Institut du Cancer de Montpellier (ICM), University Montpellier, 34298 Montpellier, France; (M.M.); (G.L.); (T.M.); (F.P.); (M.Y.)
| | - Frédéric Hollande
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia; (J.S.); (F.H.)
- University of Melbourne Centre for Cancer Research, Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Julie Pannequin
- Institute of Functional Genomics (IGF), UMR5203 CNRS, U1191 INSERM and UM, 34094 Montpellier, France; (G.B.); (Z.H.); (F.G.); (O.V.); (J.V.-B.); (D.H.-W.); (F.M.-F.); (J.M.P.); (E.S.)
- Correspondence:
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10
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Cortés-Hernández LE, Eslami-S Z, Costa-Silva B, Alix-Panabières C. Current Applications and Discoveries Related to the Membrane Components of Circulating Tumor Cells and Extracellular Vesicles. Cells 2021; 10:2221. [PMID: 34571870 PMCID: PMC8465935 DOI: 10.3390/cells10092221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In cancer, many analytes can be investigated through liquid biopsy. They play fundamental roles in the biological mechanisms underpinning the metastatic cascade and provide clinical information that can be monitored in real time during the natural course of cancer. Some of these analytes (circulating tumor cells and extracellular vesicles) share a key feature: the presence of a phospholipid membrane that includes proteins, lipids and possibly nucleic acids. Most cell-to-cell and cell-to-matrix interactions are modulated by the cell membrane composition. To understand cancer progression, it is essential to describe how proteins, lipids and nucleic acids in the membrane influence these interactions in cancer cells. Therefore, assessing such interactions and the phospholipid membrane composition in different liquid biopsy analytes might be important for future diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. In this review, we briefly describe some of the most important surface components of circulating tumor cells and extracellular vesicles as well as their interactions, putting an emphasis on how they are involved in the different steps of the metastatic cascade and how they can be exploited by the different liquid biopsy technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Enrique Cortés-Hernández
- Laboratory of Rare Human Circulating Cells (LCCRH), University Medical Centre of Montpellier, CEDEX 5, 34295 Montpellier, France; (L.E.C.-H.); (Z.E.-S.)
- CREEC/CANECEV, MIVEGEC (CREES), Université de Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, 34000 Montpellier, France
| | - Zahra Eslami-S
- Laboratory of Rare Human Circulating Cells (LCCRH), University Medical Centre of Montpellier, CEDEX 5, 34295 Montpellier, France; (L.E.C.-H.); (Z.E.-S.)
- CREEC/CANECEV, MIVEGEC (CREES), Université de Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, 34000 Montpellier, France
| | - Bruno Costa-Silva
- Champalimaud Research, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, 1400-038 Lisbon, Portugal;
| | - Catherine Alix-Panabières
- Laboratory of Rare Human Circulating Cells (LCCRH), University Medical Centre of Montpellier, CEDEX 5, 34295 Montpellier, France; (L.E.C.-H.); (Z.E.-S.)
- CREEC/CANECEV, MIVEGEC (CREES), Université de Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, 34000 Montpellier, France
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11
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Gao G, Li C, Fan W, Zhang M, Li X, Chen W, Li W, Liang R, Li Z, Zhu X. Brilliant glycans and glycosylation: Seq and ye shall find. Int J Biol Macromol 2021; 189:279-291. [PMID: 34389387 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.08.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Proteoglycosylation is the addition of monosaccharides or glycans to the protein peptide chain. This is a common post-translational modification of proteins with a variety of biological functions. At present, more than half of all biopharmaceuticals in clinic are modified by glycosylation. Most glycoproteins are potential drug targets and biomarkers for disease diagnosis. Therefore, in-depth study of glycan structure of glycoproteins will ultimately improve the sensitivity and specificity of glycoproteins for clinical disease detection. With the deepening of research, the function and application value of glycans and glycosylation has gradually emerged. This review systematically introduces the latest research progress of glycans and glycosylation. It encompasses six cancers, four viruses, and their latest discoveries in Alzheimer's disease, allergic diseases, congenital diseases, gastrointestinal diseases, inflammation, and aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanwen Gao
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhanjiang), The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
| | - Chen Li
- Department of Biology, Chemistry, Pharmacy, Free University of Berlin, Berlin 14195, Germany
| | - Wenguo Fan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mingtao Zhang
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhanjiang), The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
| | - Xinming Li
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhanjiang), The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
| | - Wenqing Chen
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhanjiang), The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
| | - Weiquan Li
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhanjiang), The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
| | - Runzhang Liang
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhanjiang), The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
| | - Zesong Li
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Genitourinary Tumor, Department of Urology, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital (Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine), The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Systems Biology and Synthetic Biology for Urogenital Tumors, Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital (Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine), Shenzhen, China.
| | - Xiao Zhu
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhanjiang), The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China; Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Genitourinary Tumor, Department of Urology, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital (Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine), The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Systems Biology and Synthetic Biology for Urogenital Tumors, Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital (Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine), Shenzhen, China.
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