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Ferdous S, Shihab IF, Chowdhury R, Reuel NF. Reinforcement learning-guided control strategies for CAR T-cell activation and expansion. Biotechnol Bioeng 2024; 121:2868-2880. [PMID: 38812405 DOI: 10.1002/bit.28753] [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: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Reinforcement learning (RL), a subset of machine learning (ML), could optimize and control biomanufacturing processes, such as improved production of therapeutic cells. Here, the process of CAR T-cell activation by antigen-presenting beads and their subsequent expansion is formulated in silico. The simulation is used as an environment to train RL-agents to dynamically control the number of beads in culture to maximize the population of robust effector cells at the end of the culture. We make periodic decisions of incremental bead addition or complete removal. The simulation is designed to operate in OpenAI Gym, enabling testing of different environments, cell types, RL-agent algorithms, and state inputs to the RL-agent. RL-agent training is demonstrated with three different algorithms (PPO, A2C, and DQN), each sampling three different state input types (tabular, image, mixed); PPO-tabular performs best for this simulation environment. Using this approach, training of the RL-agent on different cell types is demonstrated, resulting in unique control strategies for each type. Sensitivity to input-noise (sensor performance), number of control step interventions, and advantages of pre-trained RL-agents are also evaluated. Therefore, we present an RL framework to maximize the population of robust effector cells in CAR T-cell therapy production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sakib Ferdous
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | | | - Ratul Chowdhury
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | - Nigel F Reuel
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
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Lisiecka U, Brodzki P, Śmiech A, Michalak K, Winiarczyk S, Żylińska B, Adaszek Ł. The diagnostic value of selected immune parameters in peripheral blood of dogs with malignant mammary tumours - a preliminary study. J Vet Res 2024; 68:271-278. [PMID: 38947156 PMCID: PMC11210351 DOI: 10.2478/jvetres-2024-0035] [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: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The main adaptive immune cells are T and B lymphocytes and they play key roles in the induction of immune responses against canine mammary tumours. Investigating these cell subpopulations may lead to more precise diagnosis of these malignancies. Material and Methods The percentages of CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and of CD21+ B cells in the peripheral blood of bitches with malignant mammary tumours were compared with those in the blood of healthy animals. The phenotypic features of peripheral blood leukocytes were evaluated by flow cytometry. Results There was a significant difference in the mean percentages of CD3+ lymphocytes between healthy (66.7%) and metastatic dogs (46.1%), and between tumour-bearing non-metastatic (66.6%) and metastatic dogs. There was also a significant difference in CD4+ T helper cell percentages between healthy dogs (40.4%) and dogs with metastases (23.2%), and between the latter and dogs without them (35.5%). In the case of CD21+ lymphocyte subsets, a significant difference was noted between healthy animals (10.9%) and those with metastases (20.1%), and between the latter and patients without metastases (8.5%). There were also significant differences in CD3+/CD21+ ratios between the group with metastases (3.0), the healthy group (7.8), and the group without metastases (8.5). Similarly, a significant difference was noted in CD4+/CD8+ ratios between animals with metastases (1.4), bitches in the control group (2.2), and dogs without metastases (1.9). Conclusion Peripheral blood leukocyte phenotypic characteristics are putative novel biomarkers. These findings may be useful in future studies improving mammary tumour diagnostic procedures, especially in metastasis detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Urszula Lisiecka
- Department of Epizootiology and Clinic of Infectious Diseases, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 20-950Lublin, Poland
| | - Piotr Brodzki
- Department and Clinic of Animal Reproduction, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 20-950Lublin, Poland
| | - Anna Śmiech
- Department of Pathological Anatomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 20-950Lublin, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Michalak
- Department of Epizootiology and Clinic of Infectious Diseases, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 20-950Lublin, Poland
| | - Stanisław Winiarczyk
- Department of Epizootiology and Clinic of Infectious Diseases, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 20-950Lublin, Poland
| | - Beata Żylińska
- Department and Clinic of Animal Surgery, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 20-950Lublin, Poland
| | - Łukasz Adaszek
- Department of Epizootiology and Clinic of Infectious Diseases, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 20-950Lublin, Poland
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Hughes K, Conaway E, Blackwell E, Rout E, Yoshimoto J, Burnett R, Avery A. Canine T zone lymphoma is a tumor of mature, previously activated αβ T cells. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2024; 269:110725. [PMID: 38359755 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2024.110725] [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: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
T cell lymphomas are a diverse group of tumors found in both dogs and humans, originating from various normal T cell types. Identifying the origin of neoplastic lymphocytes can offer valuable insights into the pathogenesis and clinical behavior of these tumors. T zone lymphoma (TZL) in dogs is characterized by the absence of CD45 expression, a strong breed predilection, and its association with adult-onset demodicosis-a condition believed to be linked to immunosuppression. In this study, our aim was to employ transcriptomic and functional data to determine the normal counterpart of TZL. Identifying the normal counterpart may help us understand both how these tumors arise and explain their clinical behavior. Gene expression profiling using NanoString and RNA seq was used to compare the transcriptome between neoplastic T zone cells, normal canine T cells and publicly available gene sets using Gene Set Enrichment Analysis. Mitogen, anti-CD3 stimulation and PMA/ionomycin stimulation were used to assess T cell proliferation in vitro, and intracellular cytokine production was measured by flow cytometry. Gene expression profiling revealed that TZL is most likely derived from an activated or memory alpha-beta T cell but the cells do not fall cleanly into an effector subtype. TZL cells express CD4-specific transcription factors GATA3 and THPOK, even though TZL cells more commonly express CD8, or neither CD4 nor CD8. TZL cells produce high levels of interferon gamma and tumor necrosis factor alpha when stimulated, further supporting the hypothesis that they are derived from an antigen experienced T cell. TZL cells do not proliferate when stimulated through the T cell receptor but will divide when the T cell receptor is bypassed with PMA and ionomycin. The observation that these cells are derived from a mature, previously activated T cell is the first step in understanding the genesis of this unique T cell tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly Hughes
- Clinical Hematopathology Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, United States
| | - Evan Conaway
- Clinical Hematopathology Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, United States
| | - Emily Blackwell
- Clinical Hematopathology Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, United States
| | - Emily Rout
- Clinical Hematopathology Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, United States
| | - Janna Yoshimoto
- Clinical Hematopathology Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, United States
| | - Robert Burnett
- Clinical Hematopathology Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, United States
| | - Anne Avery
- Clinical Hematopathology Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, United States.
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Yamauchi A, Yoshimoto S, Kudo A, Takagi S. Negative Influence of Aging on Differentiation and Proliferation of CD8 + T-Cells in Dogs. Vet Sci 2023; 10:541. [PMID: 37756063 PMCID: PMC10534501 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10090541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunosenescence is an age-related change in the immune system characterized by a reduction in naïve T-cells and an impaired proliferative capacity of CD8+ T-cells in older individuals. Recent research revealed the crucial impact of immunosenescence on the development and control of cancer, and aging is one of the causes that diminish the therapeutic efficacy of cancer immunotherapies targeting CD8+ T-cell activation. Despite dog cancer being defined as an age-related disease, there are few fundamental understandings regarding the relationship between aging and the canine immune system. Therefore, we aimed to elucidate the characteristics of immunosenescence in dogs and analyzed the effects of aging on the differentiation status and proliferation of canine CD8+ T cells using T-cell specific stimulation with anti-canine CD3/CD28 antibody-coated beads and interleukin-2. As a result, we found that older dogs have a lower proliferative capacity of CD8+ T-cells and a reduction in the naïve subset in their peripheral blood. Further analysis showed that older dogs had attenuated proliferation of the effector and central memory subsets. These results indicate the importance of maintaining less differentiated subsets to expand CD8+ T-cells in dogs and provide helpful insight into the development of dog immune therapies that require T-cell expansion ex vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akinori Yamauchi
- Laboratory of Small Animal Surgery, Department of Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, 1-17-71 Fuchinobe, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara 252-5201, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Sho Yoshimoto
- Laboratory of Small Animal Surgery, Department of Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, 1-17-71 Fuchinobe, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara 252-5201, Kanagawa, Japan
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Advanced Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Ayano Kudo
- Laboratory of Small Animal Surgery, Department of Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, 1-17-71 Fuchinobe, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara 252-5201, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Satoshi Takagi
- Laboratory of Small Animal Surgery, Department of Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, 1-17-71 Fuchinobe, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara 252-5201, Kanagawa, Japan
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Luo D, Luo H, Yan X, Lei A, He J, Liao Y, Peng K, Li X, Ye Y, Chen L, Zeng Z, Xiao H, Zeng Y. Mycoplasma genitalium Protein of Adhesion Suppresses T Cell Activation via CypA-CaN-NFAT Pathway. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0450322. [PMID: 37074201 PMCID: PMC10269615 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.04503-22] [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: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Mycoplasma genitalium is a prokaryotic microorganism that causes urogenital tract infections. M. genitalium protein of adhesion (MgPa) was essential for M. genitalium attachment and subsequent invasion into host cells. Our prior research confirmed that Cyclophilin A (CypA) was the binding receptor for MgPa and MgPa-CypA interaction can lead to the production of inflammatory cytokines. In this study, we revealed that the recombinant MgPa (rMgPa) could inhibit the CaN-NFAT signaling pathway to reduce the level of IFN-γ, IL-2, CD25, and CD69 in Jurkat cells by binding to the CypA receptor. Moreover, rMgPa inhibited the expressions of IFN-γ, IL-2, CD25, and CD69 in primary mouse T cells. Likewise, the expressions of these T cells activation-related molecules in CypA-siRNA-transfected cells and CypA-/- mouse primary T cell was strengthened by rMgPa. These findings showed that rMgPa suppressed T cell activation by downregulating the CypA-CaN-NFAT pathway, and as a result, acted as an immunosuppressive agent. IMPORTANCE Mycoplasma genitalium is a sexually transmitted bacterium that can co-infect with other infections and causes nongonococcal urethritis in males, cervicitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, premature birth, and ectopic pregnancy in women. The adhesion protein of M. genitalium (MgPa) is the primary virulence factor in the complicated pathogenicity of M. genitalium. This research proved that MgPa could interact with host cell Cyclophilin A (CypA) and prevent T cell activation by inhibiting Calcineurin (CaN) phosphorylation and NFAT nuclear translocation, which clarified the immunosuppression mechanism of M. genitalium to host T cells. Therefore, this study can provide a new idea that CypA can be used for a therapeutic or prophylactic target for M. genitalium infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Luo
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Basic Medical School, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control, Hengyang, Hunan, China
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Hengyang, Hunan, China
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, the Affiliated Nanhua Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Haodang Luo
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Basic Medical School, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control, Hengyang, Hunan, China
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Hengyang, Hunan, China
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, the Affiliated Nanhua Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Xiaoliang Yan
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Basic Medical School, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control, Hengyang, Hunan, China
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Aihua Lei
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Basic Medical School, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control, Hengyang, Hunan, China
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Jun He
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, the Affiliated Nanhua Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Yating Liao
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Basic Medical School, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control, Hengyang, Hunan, China
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Kailan Peng
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Basic Medical School, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control, Hengyang, Hunan, China
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Xia Li
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Basic Medical School, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control, Hengyang, Hunan, China
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Youyuan Ye
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Basic Medical School, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control, Hengyang, Hunan, China
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Li Chen
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Basic Medical School, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control, Hengyang, Hunan, China
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Zhuo Zeng
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Basic Medical School, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control, Hengyang, Hunan, China
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Hua Xiao
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Basic Medical School, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control, Hengyang, Hunan, China
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Yanhua Zeng
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Basic Medical School, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control, Hengyang, Hunan, China
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Hengyang, Hunan, China
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Mycobacterium intracellulare induces a Th17 immune response via M1-like macrophage polarization in canine peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Sci Rep 2022; 12:11818. [PMID: 35821058 PMCID: PMC9276657 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-16117-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex (MAC) is one of the most prevalent pathogenic nontuberculous mycobacteria that cause chronic pulmonary disease. The prevalence of MAC infection has been rising globally in a wide range of hosts, including companion animals. MAC infection has been reported in dogs; however, little is known about interaction between MAC and dogs, especially in immune response. In this study, we investigated the host immune response driven by M. intracellulare using the co-culture system of canine T helper cells and autologous monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs). Transcriptomic analysis revealed that canine MDMs differentiated into M1-like macrophages after M. intracellulare infection and the macrophages secreted molecules that induced Th1/Th17 cell polarization. Furthermore, canine lymphocytes co-cultured with M. intracellulare-infected macrophages induced the adaptive Th17 responses after 5 days. Taken together, our results indicate that M. intracellulare elicits a Th17 response through macrophage activation in this system. Those findings might help the understanding of the canine immune response to MAC infection and diminishing the potential zoonotic risk in One Health aspect.
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Rotolo A, Atherton MJ, Kasper BT, Haran KP, Mason NJ. Genetic re-direction of canine primary T cells for clinical trial use in pet dogs with spontaneous cancer. STAR Protoc 2021; 2:100905. [PMID: 34746864 PMCID: PMC8551231 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2021.100905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunocompetent pet dogs develop spontaneous, human-like cancers, representing a parallel patient population for the investigation of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) therapies. We have optimized a retrovirus-based protocol to efficiently CAR transduce primary T cells from healthy and tumor-bearing dogs. While transduction efficiencies and CAR-T expansion vary among dogs, CAR expression is typically higher and more stable compared with previous protocols, thus enabling human and comparative oncology researchers to use the dog as a pre-clinical model for human CAR-T cell research. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Panjwani et al. (2020).
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonia Rotolo
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Advanced Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Matthew J. Atherton
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Advanced Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Brian T. Kasper
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Advanced Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Kumudhini P. Haran
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Advanced Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Nicola J. Mason
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Advanced Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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