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Kadsanit N, Worsawat P, Sakonsinsiri C, McElroy CR, Macquarrie D, Noppawan P, Hunt AJ. Sustainable methods for the carboxymethylation and methylation of ursolic acid with dimethyl carbonate under mild and acidic conditions. RSC Adv 2024; 14:16921-16934. [PMID: 38799212 PMCID: PMC11124730 DOI: 10.1039/d4ra02122c] [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: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Ursolic acid is a triterpene plant extract that exhibits significant potential as an anti-cancer, anti-tumour, and anti-inflammatory agent. Its direct use in the pharmaceutical industry is hampered by poor uptake of ursolic acid in the human body coupled with rapid metabolism causing a decrease in bioactivity. Modification of ursolic acid can overcome such issues, however, use of toxic reagents, unsustainable synthetic routes and poor reaction metrics have limited its potential. Herein, we demonstrate the first reported carboxymethylation and/or methylation of ursolic acid with dimethyl carbonate (DMC) as a green solvent and sustainable reagent under acidic conditions. The reaction of DMC with ursolic acid, in the presence of PTSA, ZnCl2, or H2SO4-SiO2 yielded the carboxymethylation product 3β-[[methoxy]carbonyl]oxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid, the methylation product 3β-methoxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid and the dehydration product urs-2,12-dien-28-oic acid. PTSA demonstrated high conversion and selectivity towards the previously unreported carboxymethylation of ursolic acid, while the application of formic acid in the system led to formylation of ursolic acid (3β-formylurs-12-en-28-oic acid) in quantitative yields via esterification, with DMC acting solely as a solvent. Meanwhile, the methylation product of ursolic acid, 3β-methoxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid, was successfully synthesised with FeCl3, demonstrating exceptional conversion and selectivity, >99% and 99%, respectively. Confirmed with the use of qualitative and quantitative green metrics, this result represents a significant improvement in conversion, selectivity, safety, and sustainability over previously reported methods of ursolic acid modification. It was demonstrated that these methods could be applied to other triterpenoids, including corosolic acid. The study also explored the potential pharmaceutical applications of ursolic acid, corosolic acid, and their derivatives, particularly in anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and anti-tumour treatments, using molecular ADMET and docking methods. The methods developed in this work have led to the synthesis of novel molecules, thus creating opportunities for the future investigation of biological activity and the modification of a wide range of triterpenoids applying acidic DMC systems to deliver novel active pharmaceutical intermediates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuttapong Kadsanit
- Materials Chemistry Research Center (MCRC), Department of Chemistry and Centre of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Khon Kaen University Khon Kaen 40002 Thailand
| | - Pattamabhorn Worsawat
- Materials Chemistry Research Center (MCRC), Department of Chemistry and Centre of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Khon Kaen University Khon Kaen 40002 Thailand
| | - Chadamas Sakonsinsiri
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University Khon Kaen 40002 Thailand
| | - Con R McElroy
- School of Chemistry, University of Lincoln Brayford Pool Campus Lincoln LN6 7TS UK
- Green Chemistry Centre of Excellence, Department of Chemistry, University of York Heslington York YO10 5DD UK
| | - Duncan Macquarrie
- Green Chemistry Centre of Excellence, Department of Chemistry, University of York Heslington York YO10 5DD UK
| | - Pakin Noppawan
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Mahasarakham University Maha Sarakham 44150 Thailand
| | - Andrew J Hunt
- Materials Chemistry Research Center (MCRC), Department of Chemistry and Centre of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Khon Kaen University Khon Kaen 40002 Thailand
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Niu J, Hu J, Wang Z. Scutellaria barbata D.Don extract regulates Ezrin-mediated triple negative breast cancer progress via suppressing the RhoA /ROCK1 signaling. Toxicol Res (Camb) 2024; 13:tfae033. [PMID: 38525246 PMCID: PMC10958765 DOI: 10.1093/toxres/tfae033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) lacks effective therapeutic targets. Scutellaria barbata D.Don (SB) has been revealed to have anti-breast cancer (BC) effect, but the effect of SB extract in TNBC is still unclear. Herein, this research delves into the underlying mechanism. Methods SB was extracted by solvent extraction, and the main components were identified using an Agilent 6,520 HPLC-Chip/Q-TOF (Chip/Q-TOF) MS system. In vitro cell experiments were conducted. The effects of SB extract alone, SB extract plus EGF, GSK alone, GSK plus Ezrin overexpression, or SB extract plus Ezrin overexpression on cell viability, invasion, migration, and apoptosis were examined by cell function experiments. The apoptosis- and RhoA/ROCK1 pathway-related protein levels were analyzed by western blot assay. Results Mass spectrometry analysis exhibited that SB extract mainly contains long-chain fatty acids and ursolic acid. SB extract mitigated TNBC cell biological phenotypes, apoptosis- and RhoA/ROCK1 pathway-related marker expressions, which were reversed by EGF. The further results found that GSK obviously weakens TNBC cell biological behaviors, apoptosis- and RhoA/ROCK1 signaling-related protein levels, while oe-Ezrin treatment reverses the effect of GSK on TNBC cells. Moreover, SB extract regulated Ezrin-mediated function of TNBC cells by impeding the RhoA/ROCK1 pathway. Conclusion Our findings demonstrated that SB extract regulated Ezrin-mediated proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis of TNBC cells via suppressing the RhoA /ROCK1 signaling. Our results offer the experimental foundation for further investigation of the anti-cancer role of SB in TNBC cells. Highlights SB extract inhibits the biological phenotypes of TNBC cells.SB extract inhibits the biological behaviors of TNBC cells through the RhoA/ROCK1 pathway.SB extract modulates Ezrin-mediated TNBC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis via restraining the RhoA/ROCK1 signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junjie Niu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 58, Lushan Road, Yuelu District, Changsha, Hunan Province 410000, P. R. China
| | - Jinyang Hu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 58, Lushan Road, Yuelu District, Changsha, Hunan Province 410000, P. R. China
| | - Zhu Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 58, Lushan Road, Yuelu District, Changsha, Hunan Province 410000, P. R. China
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Kim GD. Harmine Hydrochloride Induces G2/M Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis in SK-Hep1 Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells by Regulating Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases and the PI3K/AKT Pathway. Prev Nutr Food Sci 2023; 28:436-443. [PMID: 38188092 PMCID: PMC10764232 DOI: 10.3746/pnf.2023.28.4.436] [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: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer is a globally common form of cancer. Thus, novel drugs derived from natural products are needed to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy. The present study aimed to analyze the anticancer properties and effects of harmine hydrochloride (HMH), a water-soluble metabolite of harmine that can be easily absorbed into tissues, in treating liver cancer cells. HMH dose-dependently inhibited cell growth, migration, invasion, and colony formation in SK-Hep1 cells. It also induced G2/M arrest by reducing the expression of p-cdc2, cyclin B1, and Rb (G2/M phase regulatory proteins) in a dose-dependent manner. HMH treatment reduced the expression of caspase-9, caspase-3, PARP, and Bcl-2 and increased the expression of Bax (a proapoptotic protein). Moreover, it increased the production of reactive oxygen species and decreased the intracellular uptake of rhodamine 123 due to mitochondrial dysfunction because of oxidative stress. HMH treatment also upregulated the phosphorylation of JNK, p38, and FOXO3a in SK-Hep1 cells and downregulated the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Our findings suggest that HMH may activate the compounds responsible for anticancer effects in hepatocellular carcinoma cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gi Dae Kim
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Kyungnam University, Gyeongnam 51767, Korea
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Liao WL, Liu YF, Ying TH, Shieh JC, Hung YT, Lee HJ, Shen CY, Cheng CW. Inhibitory Effects of Ursolic Acid on the Stemness and Progression of Human Breast Cancer Cells by Modulating Argonaute-2. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010366. [PMID: 36613808 PMCID: PMC9820512 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010366] [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: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The stemness and metastasis of cancer cells are crucial features in determining cancer progression. Argonaute-2 (AGO2) overexpression was reported to be associated with microRNA (miRNA) biogenesis, supporting the self-renewal and differentiation characteristics of cancer stem cells (CSCs). Ursolic acid (UA), a triterpene compound, has multiple biological functions, including anticancer activity. In this study, we find that UA inhibits the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines using the CCK-8 assay. UA induced a significant decrease in the fraction of CSC in which it was examined by changes in the expression of stemness biomarkers, including the Nanog and Oct4 genes. UA altered invasion and migration capacities by significant decreases in the levels of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) proteins of slug and vimentin. Furthermore, the co-reduction in oncogenic miRNA levels (miR-9 and miR-221) was a result of the down-modulation in AGO2 in breast cancer cells in vitro. Mechanically, UA increases PTEN expression to inactivate the FAK/PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway and the decreased level of c-Myc in quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot imaging analyses. Our current understanding of the anticancer potential of UA in interrupting between EMT programming and the state of CSC suggests that UA can contribute to improvements in the clinical practice of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Ling Liao
- Graduate Institute of Integrated Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40433, Taiwan
- Center for Personalized Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40433, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Fan Liu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40201, Taiwan
| | - Tsung-Ho Ying
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40201, Taiwan
| | - Jia-Ching Shieh
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40201, Taiwan
| | - Yueh-Tzu Hung
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40201, Taiwan
| | - Huei-Jane Lee
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40201, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Yang Shen
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Environmental Science, China Medical University, Taichung 40433, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (C.-Y.S.); (C.-W.C.); Tel.: +886-2-2789-9036 (C.-Y.S.); +886-4-2473-0022 (ext. 11677) (C.-W.C.); Fax: +886-2-2782-3047 (C.-Y.S.); +886-4-2372-3229 (C.-W.C.)
| | - Chun-Wen Cheng
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40201, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40201, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (C.-Y.S.); (C.-W.C.); Tel.: +886-2-2789-9036 (C.-Y.S.); +886-4-2473-0022 (ext. 11677) (C.-W.C.); Fax: +886-2-2782-3047 (C.-Y.S.); +886-4-2372-3229 (C.-W.C.)
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Zafar S, Khan K, Hafeez A, Irfan M, Armaghan M, Rahman AU, Gürer ES, Sharifi-Rad J, Butnariu M, Bagiu IC, Bagiu RV. Ursolic acid: a natural modulator of signaling networks in different cancers. Cancer Cell Int 2022; 22:399. [PMID: 36496432 PMCID: PMC9741527 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-022-02804-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Incidence rate of cancer is estimated to increase by 40% in 2030. Furthermore, the development of resistance against currently available treatment strategies has contributed to the cancer-associated mortality. Scientists are now looking for the solutions that could help prevent the disease occurrence and could provide a pain-free treatment alternative for cancers. Therefore, efforts are now put to find a potent natural compound that could sever this purpose. Ursolic acid (UA), a triterpene acid, has potential to inhibit the tumor progression and induce sensitization to conventional treatment drugs has been documented. Though, UA is a hydrophobic compound therefore it is usually chemically modified to increase its bioavailability prior to administration. However, a thorough literature indicating its mechanism of action and limitations for its use at clinical level was not reviewed. Therefore, the current study was designed to highlight the potential mechanism of UA, its anti-cancer properties, and potential applications as therapeutic compound. This endeavour is a valuable contribution in understanding the hurdles preventing the translation of its potential at clinical level and provides foundations to design new studies that could help enhance its bioavailability and anti-cancer potential for various cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sameen Zafar
- grid.412117.00000 0001 2234 2376Department of Healthcare Biotechnology, Atta-Ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad, Punjab Pakistan
| | - Khushbukhat Khan
- grid.412117.00000 0001 2234 2376Department of Healthcare Biotechnology, Atta-Ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad, Punjab Pakistan
| | - Amna Hafeez
- grid.412117.00000 0001 2234 2376Department of Healthcare Biotechnology, Atta-Ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad, Punjab Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Irfan
- grid.412117.00000 0001 2234 2376Department of Healthcare Biotechnology, Atta-Ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad, Punjab Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Armaghan
- grid.412117.00000 0001 2234 2376Department of Healthcare Biotechnology, Atta-Ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad, Punjab Pakistan
| | - Anees ur Rahman
- grid.412117.00000 0001 2234 2376Department of Healthcare Biotechnology, Atta-Ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad, Punjab Pakistan
| | - Eda Sönmez Gürer
- grid.411689.30000 0001 2259 4311Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacognosy, Sivas Cumhuriyet University, Sivas, Turkey
| | - Javad Sharifi-Rad
- grid.442126.70000 0001 1945 2902Facultad de Medicina, Universidad del Azuay, Cuenca, Ecuador
| | - Monica Butnariu
- University of Life Sciences “King Mihai I” from Timisoara, 300645 Calea Aradului 119, Timis, Romania
| | - Iulia-Cristina Bagiu
- grid.22248.3e0000 0001 0504 4027Department of Microbiology, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania ,Multidisciplinary Research Center on Antimicrobial Resistance, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Radu Vasile Bagiu
- grid.22248.3e0000 0001 0504 4027Department of Microbiology, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania ,Preventive Medicine Study Center, Timisoara, Romania
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Miranda CL, Kumbi Y, Wu W, Lee HS, Reed RL, Stevens JF. Phytochemical characterization and bioactivity toward breast cancer cells of unhydrolyzed and acid-hydrolyzed extracts of Fagonia indica. Nat Prod Commun 2022; 17:10.1177/1934578x221109426. [PMID: 35875707 PMCID: PMC9302922 DOI: 10.1177/1934578x221109426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Phytochemicals from the genus, Fagonia, have been attracting increasing attention due to their potential beneficial effects on human health. Fagonia species contain various types of phytochemicals such as flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, terpenoids, coumarins and tannins. In this study, we investigated the phytochemical composition of unhydrolyzed and acid-hydrolyzed extracts of Fagonia indica and their bioactivity toward breast cancer MCF-7 cells in vitro. The results revealed that F. indica contains phytochemicals consistent with the reported phytochemical composition of this Fagonia species, with greater amounts of aglycones detected in the hydrolyzed extract. The crude extract of F. indica without acid hydrolysis was found to be ineffective in inhibiting the growth of MCF-7 cells at doses below 1000 μg/mL. However, after acid hydrolysis (to mimic gastro-intestinal hydrolysis), the F. indica extract became growth-inhibitory to MCF-7 cells as low as 10 μg/mL and the cytotoxicity increased with increasing dose and time of treatment. The results suggest that F. indica extracts contain phytochemicals in glycosidic forms whose aglycones are active as anti-proliferative agents toward breast cancer cells in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristobal L. Miranda
- Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331
| | - Yadano Kumbi
- BioResource Research Interdisciplinary Program, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331
| | - Wenbin Wu
- Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331
| | - Hyi-Seung Lee
- Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331
- Korean Institute of Ocean Science and Technology, Busan, South Korea
| | - Ralph L. Reed
- Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331
| | - Jan F. Stevens
- Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331
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Tang Y, Wang H, He Q, Chen Y, Wang J. Bioinformatics Method Was Used to Analyze the Highly Expressed Gene FAM83A of Breast Cancer in Young Women. Appl Bionics Biomech 2022; 2022:5358030. [PMID: 35392358 PMCID: PMC8983250 DOI: 10.1155/2022/5358030] [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: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives Preliminary analysis of breast cancer related to unknown functional gene FAM83A through bioinformatics knowledge to inform further experimental studies. Select high expression genes for breast cancer and use bioinformatics methods to predict the biological function of FAM83A. Methods Genes with significant differences in expression between breast tumors and normal breast tissue libraries were selected from CGAP's SAGE Digital Gene Expression Displayer (DGED) database. An unknown functional gene, FAM83A, which is highly expressed in breast cancer, was screened. We performed an analysis of the gene structure, subcellular localization, physicochemical properties of the encoding products, functional sites, protein structure, and functional domains. Results Through SAGE DGED, a total of 185 genes with expression differences were found. The structure and function of FAM83A have ideal predictions, and it is generally determined that this gene encodes a nuclear protein with a nucleoprotein. The active site of PLDc and the functional domain of DUF1669 can be involved in signal transduction and gene expression regulation in tumorigenesis and metastasis. Digital gene representation of the Tumor Genome Project Data Library was used to select differentially expressed genes in breast cancer tissue and breast benign tumor tissue. Conclusion Studies show that FAM83A is a potential research target associated with tumorigenesis and metastasis. Initial tests confirmed the expression of this gene. Lay a solid foundation for further research learning. FAM83A is a highly expressed gene in breast cancer and can serve as a target for studying molecular mechanisms in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongzhe Tang
- The International Peace Maternal and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Hao Wang
- Teaching Center of Experimental Medicine, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 138 Yixueyuan Rd, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Qi He
- The International Peace Maternal and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuanyuan Chen
- The International Peace Maternal and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Wang
- The International Peace Maternal and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, China
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