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Lee J, Honjo M, Aihara M. A MEK inhibitor arrests the cell cycle of human conjunctival fibroblasts and improves the outcome of glaucoma filtration surgery. Sci Rep 2024; 14:1871. [PMID: 38253821 PMCID: PMC10803501 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52359-y] [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: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Better agents are needed to improve glaucoma filtration surgery outcomes compared to current ones. The purpose of this study is to determine whether mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitors can effectively arrest the cell cycle of human conjunctival fibroblasts (HCFs) and inhibit the formation of fibrosis and scarring following glaucoma filtration surgery. A cell counting kit‑8 assay revealed that the MEK inhibitor PD0325901 exhibited concentration-dependent growth inhibition of HCFs. Quantitative PCR, immunocytochemistry, and western blotting demonstrated decreased expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and cyclin D1 and increased expression of p27 in HCFs treated with PD0325901. Flow cytometry indicated that PD0325901 arrested the cell cycle of HCFs in the G0/1 phase. The cell-migration assay showed that HCF migration rate was significantly suppressed by PD0325901 exposure. Rabbits were divided into PD0325901-treatment and control groups, and glaucoma filtration surgery was performed. Although intraocular pressure did not differ between PD0325901-treatment and control groups, bleb height was greater in the treatment group. Histopathological evaluation revealed that fibrotic changes were significantly attenuated in the PD0325901-treatment group compared to the control group. In conclusion, the MEK inhibitor impedes HCF proliferation via cell-cycle arrest and may be beneficial for glaucoma filtration surgery by reducing bleb scarring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhee Lee
- Department of Ophthalmology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - Megumi Honjo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan.
| | - Makoto Aihara
- Department of Ophthalmology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
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Liu Y, Huang Y, Guo Z, Yang C, Li Y, Li B, Liu Y, Zheng H. Sulforaphane inhibits TGF-β-induced fibrogenesis and inflammation in human Tenon's fibroblasts. Mol Vis 2023; 29:306-316. [PMID: 38264611 PMCID: PMC10805336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose Subconjunctival fibrosis is the main cause of failure after glaucoma filtration surgery. We explored the effects of sulforaphane (SFN) on the conversion of human Tenon's fibroblasts (HTFs) into myofibroblasts, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β-induced contraction of collagen gel, and inflammation. Methods After treatment with the combination of TGF-β and SFN or TGF-β alone, primary HTFs were subjected to a three-dimensional collagen contraction experiment to examine their contractility. Levels of α smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), synthesis of extracellular matrix (ECM), and phosphorylation of various signaling molecules were determined by western blot or quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Fluorescence microscopy was employed to examine stress fiber formation in HTFs. The expressions of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) were determined using RT-qPCR. Results The contraction of myofibroblasts caused by TGF-β was significantly suppressed by SFN. This suppressive effect was exerted via the differentiation of HTFs into myofibroblasts by inhibiting the production of fibronectin and the expression of α-SMA. Moreover, SFN treatment reduced the expression of TGF-β-promoted integrins β1 and α5, myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation, and stress fiber formation, as well as the expression of IL-6, IL-8, and CTGF. Finally, TGF-β-induced Smad2/3 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylations were attenuated by SFN. Conclusions SFN inhibits HTF contractility, differentiation into myofibroblasts, and inflammation caused by TGF-β. These effects are mediated by both classic and non-classic signaling pathways. Our results indicate that SFN has potent anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory effects in HTFs and is a potential candidate for subconjunctival fibrosis therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, PR China
| | - Yangbin Huang
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, PR China
| | - Zihan Guo
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, PR China
| | - Chengcheng Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, PR China
| | - Yunzepeng Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, PR China
| | - Binhui Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, PR China
| | - Ye Liu
- Department of Pathology, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, PR China
| | - Hui Zheng
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, PR China
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Tsugeno Y, Sato T, Watanabe M, Higashide M, Furuhashi M, Umetsu A, Suzuki S, Ida Y, Hikage F, Ohguro H. All Trans-Retinoic Acids Facilitate the Remodeling of 2D and 3D Cultured Human Conjunctival Fibroblasts. BIOENGINEERING (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 9:bioengineering9090463. [PMID: 36135009 PMCID: PMC9495389 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering9090463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Vitamin A derivative, all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA), is known to be a potent regulator of the growth and differentiation of various types of cells. In the present study, the unidentified effects of ATRA on superficial and vertical spreading conjunctival scarring were examined. The study involved the use of two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) cultures of human conjunctival fibroblast (HconF) cells in the presence or absence of TGF-β2. The effects of ATRA (1 μM) on superficial or vertical spreading conjunctival scarring were evaluated by the barrier function by trans-endothelial electrical resistance (TEER) and FITC dextran permeability measurements and real-time metabolic analysis, as well as the physical properties, namely, the size and stiffness, of 3D spheroids, respectively. In addition, the expressions of several related molecules, including extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules, ECM modulators including a tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and ER stress-related factors, were examined. ATRA significantly induced (1) an increase in TEER values and a decrease in FITC dextran permeability, respectively, in the 2D monolayers, and (2) relatively and substantially increased the size and stiffness, respectively, of the 3D spheroids. These ATRA-induced effects were further enhanced in the TGF-β2-treated cells, whereas the TGF-β2-induced enhancement in glycolytic capacity was canceled by the presence of ATRA. Consistent with these physical and morphological effects, the mRNA expressions of several molecules were significantly but differently induced between 2D and 3D cultures by ATRA, although the presence of TGF-β2 did not substantially affect these gene expression levels. The findings reported in this study indicate that ATRA may exacerbate both superficial and vertical conjunctival fibrosis spreading independently of TGF-β2-induced changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuri Tsugeno
- Departments of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo 060-8556, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Sato
- Departments of Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolic Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo 060-8556, Japan
- Departments of Cellular Physiology and Signal Transduction, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo 060-8556, Japan
| | - Megumi Watanabe
- Departments of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo 060-8556, Japan
| | - Megumi Higashide
- Departments of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo 060-8556, Japan
| | - Masato Furuhashi
- Departments of Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolic Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo 060-8556, Japan
| | - Araya Umetsu
- Departments of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo 060-8556, Japan
| | - Soma Suzuki
- Departments of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo 060-8556, Japan
| | - Yosuke Ida
- Departments of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo 060-8556, Japan
| | - Fumihito Hikage
- Departments of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo 060-8556, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Ohguro
- Departments of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo 060-8556, Japan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-116-112-111; Fax: +81-116-136-575
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Rokni M, Sadeghi Shaker M, Kavosi H, Shokoofi S, Mahmoudi M, Farhadi E. The role of endothelin and RAS/ERK signaling in immunopathogenesis-related fibrosis in patients with systemic sclerosis: an updated review with therapeutic implications. Arthritis Res Ther 2022; 24:108. [PMID: 35562771 PMCID: PMC9102675 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-022-02787-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a disease of connective tissue with high rate of morbidity and mortality highlighted by extreme fibrosis affecting various organs such as the dermis, lungs, and heart. Until now, there is no specific cure for the fibrosis occurred in SSc disease. The SSc pathogenesis is yet unknown, but transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), endothelin-1 (ET-1), and Ras-ERK1/2 cascade are the main factors contributing to the tissue fibrosis through extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation. Several studies have hallmarked the association of ET-1 with or without TGF-β and Ras-ERK1/2 signaling in the development of SSc disease, vasculopathy, and fibrosis of the dermis, lungs, and several organs. Accordingly, different clinical and experimental studies have indicated the potential therapeutic role of ET-1 and Ras antagonists in these situations in SSc. In addition, ET-1 and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) as a cofactor of the TGF-β cascade play a substantial initiative role in inducing fibrosis. Once initiated, TGF-β alone or in combination with ET-1 and CTGF can activate several kinase proteins such as the Ras-ERK1/2 pathway that serve as the fundamental factor for developing fibrosis. Furthermore, Salirasib is a synthetic small molecule that is able to inhibit all Ras forms. Therefore, it can be used as a potent therapeutic factor for fibrotic disorders. So, this review discusses the role of TGF-β/ET-1/Ras signaling and their involvement in SSc pathogenesis, particularly in its fibrotic situation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohsen Rokni
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Immunology, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mina Sadeghi Shaker
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hoda Kavosi
- Rheumatology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Inflammation Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shahrzad Shokoofi
- Rheumatology Department, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Mahdi Mahmoudi
- Rheumatology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. .,Inflammation Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Elham Farhadi
- Rheumatology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. .,Inflammation Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Involvement of METTL3/m 6Adenosine and TGFβ/Smad3 signaling on Tenon's fibroblasts and in a rabbit model of glaucoma surgery. J Mol Histol 2021; 52:1129-1144. [PMID: 34727293 DOI: 10.1007/s10735-021-10028-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/10/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Glaucoma filtration surgery (GFS) is a classic operation for the treatment of glaucoma, which is the second leading cause of blindness, and scar formation caused by excessive human Tenon's capsule fibroblasts (HTFs) activation is responsible for surgery failure. However, the mechanism underlying excessive HTFs activation is largely unknown. Studies have revealed that N6-methyladenosine (m6A), which is one of the most common posttranscriptional modifications, plays an important role in multiple types of cellular processes. First, we isolated and identified primary HTFs and found that transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) enhanced cell viability and promoted cell proliferation and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition in HTFs. We subsequently found that TGF-β1 elevated the quantity of m6A and promoted the expression of m6A "writers", in the process from DNA to RNA, adenylate was methylated at the sixth N position by methylases methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3). Furthermore, we demonstrated that METTL3 repression inhibited the promotion of cell viability, proliferation and ECM deposition in HTFs treated with TGF-β1. We then illustrated that increased METTL3 played a role by promoting Smad3 in TGF-β1-induced HTFs. We subsequently demonstrated that the METTL3/Smad3 regulatory axis was aberrantly expressed in the rabbit model of GFS. Thus, our study reveals that METTL3 indeed plays a role in modulating Smad3 in TGF-β1-induced HTFs and further provides novel theoretical strategies based on METTL3 for the inhibition of scar formation after GFS.
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Bektik E, Sun Y, Dennis AT, Sakon P, Yang D, Deschênes I, Fu JD. Inhibition of CREB-CBP Signaling Improves Fibroblast Plasticity for Direct Cardiac Reprogramming. Cells 2021; 10:cells10071572. [PMID: 34206684 PMCID: PMC8307124 DOI: 10.3390/cells10071572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Direct cardiac reprogramming of fibroblasts into induced cardiomyocytes (iCMs) is a promising approach but remains a challenge in heart regeneration. Efforts have focused on improving the efficiency by understanding fundamental mechanisms. One major challenge is that the plasticity of cultured fibroblast varies batch to batch with unknown mechanisms. Here, we noticed a portion of in vitro cultured fibroblasts have been activated to differentiate into myofibroblasts, marked by the expression of αSMA, even in primary cell cultures. Both forskolin, which increases cAMP levels, and TGFβ inhibitor SB431542 can efficiently suppress myofibroblast differentiation of cultured fibroblasts. However, SB431542 improved but forskolin blocked iCM reprogramming of fibroblasts that were infected with retroviruses of Gata4, Mef2c, and Tbx5 (GMT). Moreover, inhibitors of cAMP downstream signaling pathways, PKA or CREB-CBP, significantly improved the efficiency of reprogramming. Consistently, inhibition of p38/MAPK, another upstream regulator of CREB-CBP, also improved reprogramming efficiency. We then investigated if inhibition of these signaling pathways in primary cultured fibroblasts could improve their plasticity for reprogramming and found that preconditioning of cultured fibroblasts with CREB-CBP inhibitor significantly improved the cellular plasticity of fibroblasts to be reprogrammed, yielding ~2-fold more iCMs than untreated control cells. In conclusion, suppression of CREB-CBP signaling improves fibroblast plasticity for direct cardiac reprogramming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emre Bektik
- Department of Physiology, Cell Biology College of Medicine, Ohio State University, 333 W 10th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; (E.B.); (D.Y.); (I.D.)
- Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA;
| | - Yu Sun
- Heart and Vascular Research Center, Department of Medicine, MetroHealth Campus, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44109, USA; (Y.S.); (A.T.D.)
| | - Adrienne T. Dennis
- Heart and Vascular Research Center, Department of Medicine, MetroHealth Campus, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44109, USA; (Y.S.); (A.T.D.)
| | - Phraew Sakon
- Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA;
| | - Dandan Yang
- Department of Physiology, Cell Biology College of Medicine, Ohio State University, 333 W 10th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; (E.B.); (D.Y.); (I.D.)
| | - Isabelle Deschênes
- Department of Physiology, Cell Biology College of Medicine, Ohio State University, 333 W 10th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; (E.B.); (D.Y.); (I.D.)
- Heart and Vascular Research Center, Department of Medicine, MetroHealth Campus, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44109, USA; (Y.S.); (A.T.D.)
| | - Ji-Dong Fu
- Department of Physiology, Cell Biology College of Medicine, Ohio State University, 333 W 10th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; (E.B.); (D.Y.); (I.D.)
- Heart and Vascular Research Center, Department of Medicine, MetroHealth Campus, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44109, USA; (Y.S.); (A.T.D.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(614)-685-0657
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Wang L, Luo Q, Zhang X, Qiu J, Qian S, Liu X. Co-implantation of magnesium and zinc ions into titanium regulates the behaviors of human gingival fibroblasts. Bioact Mater 2021; 6:64-74. [PMID: 32817914 PMCID: PMC7419333 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2020.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Soft tissue sealing around implants acts as a barrier between the alveolar bone and oral environment, protecting implants from the invasion of bacteria or external stimuli. In this work, magnesium (Mg) and zinc (Zn) are introduced into titanium by plasma immersed ion implantation technology, and their effects on the behaviors of human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) as well as the underlying mechanisms are investigated. Surface characterization confirms Mg and Zn exist on the surface in metallic and oxidized states. Contact angle test suggests that surface wettability of titanium changes after ion implantation and thus influences protein adsorption of surfaces. In vitro studies disclose that HGFs on Mg ion-implanted samples exhibit better adhesion and migration while cells on Zn ion-implanted samples have higher proliferation rate and amounts. The results of immunofluorescence staining and real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) suggest that Mg mainly regulates the motility and adhesion of HGFs through activating the MAPK signal pathway whereas Zn influences HGFs proliferation by triggering the TGF-β signal pathway. The synergistic effect of Mg and Zn ions ensure that HGFs cultured on co-implanted samples possessed both high proliferation rate and motility, which are critical to soft tissue sealing of implants.
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Key Words
- BSA, bovine serum albumin
- CLSM, confocal laser-scanning microscope
- DAPI, 4′, 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole
- ECM, extracellular matrix
- FM, fibroblasts medium
- HGFs, human gingival fibroblasts
- Human gingival fibroblasts
- Magnesium
- PBS, phosphate buffer saline
- PFA, para-formaldehyde
- PIII, plasma immersion ion implantation
- Plasma immersion ion implantation
- RT-PCR, reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction
- SEM, scanning electron microscope
- Soft tissue sealing
- XPS, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy
- Zinc
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Affiliation(s)
- Lanyu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of High Performance Ceramics and Superfine Microstructure, Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200050, China
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Qiming Luo
- State Key Laboratory of High Performance Ceramics and Superfine Microstructure, Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200050, China
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xianming Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of High Performance Ceramics and Superfine Microstructure, Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200050, China
| | - Jiajun Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of High Performance Ceramics and Superfine Microstructure, Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200050, China
| | - Shi Qian
- State Key Laboratory of High Performance Ceramics and Superfine Microstructure, Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200050, China
- Cixi Center of Biomaterials Surface Engineering, Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, 315300, China
| | - Xuanyong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of High Performance Ceramics and Superfine Microstructure, Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200050, China
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
- Cixi Center of Biomaterials Surface Engineering, Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, 315300, China
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Sub-lane Xiangshan, Hangzhou, 310024, China
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