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Basu R, Kulkarni P, Swegan D, Duran-Ortiz S, Ahmad A, Caggiano LJ, Davis E, Walsh C, Brenya E, Koshal A, Brody R, Sandbhor U, Neggers SJCMM, Kopchick JJ. Growth Hormone Receptor Antagonist Markedly Improves Gemcitabine Response in a Mouse Xenograft Model of Human Pancreatic Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7438. [PMID: 39000545 PMCID: PMC11242728 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25137438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2024] [Revised: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Chemotherapy treatment against pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is thwarted by tumoral activation of multiple therapy resistance pathways. The growth hormone (GH)-GH receptor (GHR) pair is a covert driver of multimodal therapy resistance in cancer and is overexpressed in PDAC tumors, yet the therapeutic potential of targeting the same has not been explored. Here, we report that GHR expression is a negative prognostic factor in patients with PDAC. Combinations of gemcitabine with different GHR antagonists (GHRAs) markedly improve therapeutic outcomes in nude mice xenografts. Employing cultured cells, mouse xenografts, and analyses of the human PDAC transcriptome, we identified that attenuation of the multidrug transporter and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition programs in the tumors underlie the observed augmentation of chemotherapy efficacy by GHRAs. Moreover, in human PDAC patients, GHR expression strongly correlates with a gene signature of tumor promotion and immune evasion, which corroborate with that in syngeneic tumors in wild-type vs. GH transgenic mice. Overall, we found that GH action in PDAC promoted a therapy-refractory gene signature in vivo, which can be effectively attenuated by GHR antagonism. Our results collectively present a proof of concept toward considering GHR antagonists to improve chemotherapeutic outcomes in the highly chemoresistant PDAC.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Gemcitabine
- Humans
- Deoxycytidine/analogs & derivatives
- Deoxycytidine/pharmacology
- Deoxycytidine/therapeutic use
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/metabolism
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/pathology
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/genetics
- Mice
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
- Receptors, Somatotropin/metabolism
- Receptors, Somatotropin/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptors, Somatotropin/genetics
- Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/drug therapy
- Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/pathology
- Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/genetics
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Mice, Nude
- Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/drug effects
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/drug effects
- Female
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Affiliation(s)
- Reetobrata Basu
- Edison Biotechnology Institute, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA; (R.B.); (P.K.); (D.S.); (S.D.-O.); (A.A.); (L.J.C.); (E.D.); (C.W.); (E.B.)
- Diabetes Institute, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA
| | - Prateek Kulkarni
- Edison Biotechnology Institute, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA; (R.B.); (P.K.); (D.S.); (S.D.-O.); (A.A.); (L.J.C.); (E.D.); (C.W.); (E.B.)
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA
| | - Deborah Swegan
- Edison Biotechnology Institute, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA; (R.B.); (P.K.); (D.S.); (S.D.-O.); (A.A.); (L.J.C.); (E.D.); (C.W.); (E.B.)
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA
| | - Silvana Duran-Ortiz
- Edison Biotechnology Institute, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA; (R.B.); (P.K.); (D.S.); (S.D.-O.); (A.A.); (L.J.C.); (E.D.); (C.W.); (E.B.)
| | - Arshad Ahmad
- Edison Biotechnology Institute, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA; (R.B.); (P.K.); (D.S.); (S.D.-O.); (A.A.); (L.J.C.); (E.D.); (C.W.); (E.B.)
- Translational Biomedical Sciences Program, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA
| | - Lydia J. Caggiano
- Edison Biotechnology Institute, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA; (R.B.); (P.K.); (D.S.); (S.D.-O.); (A.A.); (L.J.C.); (E.D.); (C.W.); (E.B.)
- Honors Tutorial College, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA
| | - Emily Davis
- Edison Biotechnology Institute, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA; (R.B.); (P.K.); (D.S.); (S.D.-O.); (A.A.); (L.J.C.); (E.D.); (C.W.); (E.B.)
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA
| | - Christopher Walsh
- Edison Biotechnology Institute, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA; (R.B.); (P.K.); (D.S.); (S.D.-O.); (A.A.); (L.J.C.); (E.D.); (C.W.); (E.B.)
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA
- Translational Biomedical Sciences Program, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA
| | - Edward Brenya
- Edison Biotechnology Institute, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA; (R.B.); (P.K.); (D.S.); (S.D.-O.); (A.A.); (L.J.C.); (E.D.); (C.W.); (E.B.)
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA
| | - Adeel Koshal
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA;
| | - Rich Brody
- InfinixBio LLC, Columbus, OH 43212, USA; (R.B.); (U.S.)
| | - Uday Sandbhor
- InfinixBio LLC, Columbus, OH 43212, USA; (R.B.); (U.S.)
| | | | - John J. Kopchick
- Edison Biotechnology Institute, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA; (R.B.); (P.K.); (D.S.); (S.D.-O.); (A.A.); (L.J.C.); (E.D.); (C.W.); (E.B.)
- Diabetes Institute, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA
- Translational Biomedical Sciences Program, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA
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2
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Wu B, Yang X, Chen F, Song Z, Ding X, Wang X. Apolipoprotein E is a prognostic factor for pancreatic cancer and associates with immune infiltration. Cytokine 2024; 179:156628. [PMID: 38704962 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2024.156628] [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: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The expression level of apolipoprotein E (APOE) in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and its effect on the prognosis of PDAC patients are not clear. The effect of APOE on the immune status of patients with PDAC has not been elucidated. METHODS We obtained pancreatic cancer data from the TCGA and GETx databases. Patients with PDAC who underwent pancreatic surgery at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University between 2012 and 2021 were included. Clinical pathological data were recorded, plasma APOE levels were measured, and tissue samples were collected. A tissue microarray was generated using the collected tissue samples. APOE and CD4 staining was performed to determine immunoreactive scores (IRSs). The expression of APOE in the plasma and tumour tissues of pancreatic cancer patients was analysed and compared. The correlations between plasma APOE levels, tissue APOE levels and clinicopathological characteristics were analysed. Survival prognosis was analysed using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox multivariate regression analysis. The correlations between APOE expression levels and immune biomarkers and immune cells were further analysed. Single-cell analysis of APOE distribution in various cells was performed on the TISCH website. RESULTS APOE was highly expressed in the tumour tissue of pancreatic cancer patients, and high plasma APOE levels were associated with poor prognosis. Females, patients with high-grade disease and patients with pancreatic head carcinoma had high plasma APOE levels. High APOE expression in tumour tissues was associated with good prognosis. Mononuclear macrophages in the pancreatic cancer microenvironment primarily expressed APOE. APOE levels positively correlated with immune biomarkers, such as CD8A, PDCD1, GZMA, CXCL10, and CXCL9, in the tumour microenvironment. APOE promoted CD4 + T cell or dendritic cell infiltration in the tumour microenvironment. CONCLUSIONS APOE may affect the occurrence and development of pancreatic cancer by regulating the infiltration of immune cells in the tumour microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Wu
- Department of Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang 314000, P.R. China
| | - Xiaodan Yang
- Department of Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang 314000, P.R. China
| | - Fei Chen
- Department of Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang 314000, P.R. China
| | - Zhengwei Song
- Department of Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang 314000, P.R. China
| | - Xuhui Ding
- Department of Hospital Sense,The Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang 314000, P.R. China.
| | - Xiaoguang Wang
- Department of Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang 314000, P.R. China.
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3
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Baniasadi A, Das JP, Prendergast CM, Beizavi Z, Ma HY, Jaber MY, Capaccione KM. Imaging at the nexus: how state of the art imaging techniques can enhance our understanding of cancer and fibrosis. J Transl Med 2024; 22:567. [PMID: 38872212 PMCID: PMC11177383 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05379-1] [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: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Both cancer and fibrosis are diseases involving dysregulation of cell signaling pathways resulting in an altered cellular microenvironment which ultimately leads to progression of the condition. The two disease entities share common molecular pathophysiology and recent research has illuminated the how each promotes the other. Multiple imaging techniques have been developed to aid in the early and accurate diagnosis of each disease, and given the commonalities between the pathophysiology of the conditions, advances in imaging one disease have opened new avenues to study the other. Here, we detail the most up-to-date advances in imaging techniques for each disease and how they have crossed over to improve detection and monitoring of the other. We explore techniques in positron emission tomography (PET), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), second generation harmonic Imaging (SGHI), ultrasound (US), radiomics, and artificial intelligence (AI). A new diagnostic imaging tool in PET/computed tomography (CT) is the use of radiolabeled fibroblast activation protein inhibitor (FAPI). SGHI uses high-frequency sound waves to penetrate deeper into the tissue, providing a more detailed view of the tumor microenvironment. Artificial intelligence with the aid of advanced deep learning (DL) algorithms has been highly effective in training computer systems to diagnose and classify neoplastic lesions in multiple organs. Ultimately, advancing imaging techniques in cancer and fibrosis can lead to significantly more timely and accurate diagnoses of both diseases resulting in better patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Baniasadi
- Department of Radiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 622 W 168Th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
| | - Jeeban P Das
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Conor M Prendergast
- Department of Radiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 622 W 168Th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Zahra Beizavi
- Department of Radiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 622 W 168Th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Hong Y Ma
- Department of Radiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 622 W 168Th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | | | - Kathleen M Capaccione
- Department of Radiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 622 W 168Th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA
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4
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Ascheid D, Baumann M, Pinnecker J, Friedrich M, Szi-Marton D, Medved C, Bundalo M, Ortmann V, Öztürk A, Nandigama R, Hemmen K, Ergün S, Zernecke A, Hirth M, Heinze KG, Henke E. A vascularized breast cancer spheroid platform for the ranked evaluation of tumor microenvironment-targeted drugs by light sheet fluorescence microscopy. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3599. [PMID: 38678014 PMCID: PMC11055956 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48010-z] [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: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Targeting the supportive tumor microenvironment (TME) is an approach of high interest in cancer drug development. However, assessing TME-targeted drug candidates presents a unique set of challenges. We develop a comprehensive screening platform that allows monitoring, quantifying, and ranking drug-induced effects in self-organizing, vascularized tumor spheroids (VTSs). The confrontation of four human-derived cell populations makes it possible to recreate and study complex changes in TME composition and cell-cell interaction. The platform is modular and adaptable for tumor entity or genetic manipulation. Treatment effects are recorded by light sheet fluorescence microscopy and translated by an advanced image analysis routine in processable multi-parametric datasets. The system proved to be robust, with strong interassay reliability. We demonstrate the platform's utility for evaluating TME-targeted antifibrotic and antiangiogenic drugs side-by-side. The platform's output enabled the differential evaluation of even closely related drug candidates according to projected therapeutic needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Ascheid
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Magdalena Baumann
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Jürgen Pinnecker
- Chair of Molecular Microscopy, Rudolf-Virchow-Center for Integrative and Translational Bioimaging, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Mike Friedrich
- Chair of Molecular Microscopy, Rudolf-Virchow-Center for Integrative and Translational Bioimaging, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Daniel Szi-Marton
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Cornelia Medved
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Maja Bundalo
- Institute of Experimental Biomedicine, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Vanessa Ortmann
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Asli Öztürk
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Rajender Nandigama
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Max Planck Institute of Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Katherina Hemmen
- Chair of Molecular Microscopy, Rudolf-Virchow-Center for Integrative and Translational Bioimaging, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Süleymann Ergün
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Alma Zernecke
- Institute of Experimental Biomedicine, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Hirth
- Institut für Medientechnik, Technische Universität Illmenau, Illmenau, Germany
| | - Katrin G Heinze
- Chair of Molecular Microscopy, Rudolf-Virchow-Center for Integrative and Translational Bioimaging, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
| | - Erik Henke
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
- Graduate School for Life Sciences, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
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5
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Gu X, Minko T. Targeted Nanoparticle-Based Diagnostic and Treatment Options for Pancreatic Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1589. [PMID: 38672671 PMCID: PMC11048786 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16081589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), one of the deadliest cancers, presents significant challenges in diagnosis and treatment due to its aggressive, metastatic nature and lack of early detection methods. A key obstacle in PDAC treatment is the highly complex tumor environment characterized by dense stroma surrounding the tumor, which hinders effective drug delivery. Nanotechnology can offer innovative solutions to these challenges, particularly in creating novel drug delivery systems for existing anticancer drugs for PDAC, such as gemcitabine and paclitaxel. By using customization methods such as incorporating conjugated targeting ligands, tumor-penetrating peptides, and therapeutic nucleic acids, these nanoparticle-based systems enhance drug solubility, extend circulation time, improve tumor targeting, and control drug release, thereby minimizing side effects and toxicity in healthy tissues. Moreover, nanoparticles have also shown potential in precise diagnostic methods for PDAC. This literature review will delve into targeted mechanisms, pathways, and approaches in treating pancreatic cancer. Additional emphasis is placed on the study of nanoparticle-based delivery systems, with a brief mention of those in clinical trials. Overall, the overview illustrates the significant advances in nanomedicine, underscoring its role in transcending the constraints of conventional PDAC therapies and diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Gu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08554, USA
| | - Tamara Minko
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08554, USA
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
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Cheng P, Ming S, Cao W, Wu J, Tian Q, Zhu J, Wei W. Recent advances in sonodynamic therapy strategies for pancreatic cancer. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. NANOMEDICINE AND NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY 2024; 16:e1945. [PMID: 38403882 DOI: 10.1002/wnan.1945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer, a prevalent malignancy of the digestive system, has a poor 5-year survival rate of around 10%. Although numerous minimally invasive alternative treatments, including photothermal therapy and photodynamic therapy, have shown effectiveness compared with traditional surgical procedures, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. However, the application of these alternative treatments is constrained by their depth of penetration, making it challenging to treat pancreatic cancer situated deep within the tissue. Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) has emerged as a promising minimally invasive therapy method that is particularly potent against deep-seated tumors such as pancreatic cancer. However, the unique characteristics of pancreatic cancer, including a dense surrounding matrix, high reductivity, and a hypoxic tumor microenvironment, impede the efficient application of SDT. Thus, to guide the evolution of SDT for pancreatic cancer therapy, this review addresses these challenges, examines current strategies for effective SDT enhancement for pancreatic cancer, and investigates potential future advances to boost clinical applicability. This article is categorized under: Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Oncologic Disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Cheng
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Shuai Ming
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Wei Cao
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Jixiao Wu
- School of Materials and Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Qiwei Tian
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Zhu
- School of Materials and Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Wei Wei
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
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