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Tan Y, Mosallanejad K, Zhang Q, O’Brien S, Clements M, Perper S, Wilson S, Chaulagain S, Wang J, Abdalla M, Al-Saidi H, Butt D, Clabbers A, Ofori K, Dillon B, Harvey B, Memmott J, Negron C, Winarta D, Tan C, Biswas A, Dong F, Morales-Tirado V, Lu X, Singh G, White M, Ashley S, Knight H, Westmoreland S, Phillips L, Carr T, Reinke-Breen L, Singh R, Xu J, Wu K, Rinaldi L, Stoll B, He YD, Hazelwood L, Karman J, McCluskey A, Stine W, Correia I, Gauld S, Levesque MC, Veldman G, Hubeau C, Radstake T, Sadhukhan R, Fiebiger E. IL11-mediated stromal cell activation may not be the master regulator of pro-fibrotic signaling downstream of TGFβ. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1293883. [PMID: 38455057 PMCID: PMC10917968 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1293883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Fibrotic diseases, such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and systemic scleroderma (SSc), are commonly associated with high morbidity and mortality, thereby representing a significant unmet medical need. Interleukin 11 (IL11)-mediated cell activation has been identified as a central mechanism for promoting fibrosis downstream of TGFβ. IL11 signaling has recently been reported to promote fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition, thus leading to various pro-fibrotic phenotypic changes. We confirmed increased mRNA expression of IL11 and IL11Rα in fibrotic diseases by OMICs approaches and in situ hybridization. However, the vital role of IL11 as a driver for fibrosis was not recapitulated. While induction of IL11 secretion was observed downstream of TGFβ signaling in human lung fibroblasts and epithelial cells, the cellular responses induced by IL11 was quantitatively and qualitatively inferior to that of TGFβ at the transcriptional and translational levels. IL11 blocking antibodies inhibited IL11Rα-proximal STAT3 activation but failed to block TGFβ-induced profibrotic signals. In summary, our results challenge the concept of IL11 blockade as a strategy for providing transformative treatment for fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunhao Tan
- AbbVie Cambridge Research Center, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | | | - Qingxiu Zhang
- AbbVie Cambridge Research Center, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | | | | | - Stuart Perper
- AbbVie Bioresearch Center, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Sarah Wilson
- AbbVie Bioresearch Center, Worcester, MA, United States
| | | | - Jing Wang
- AbbVie Bioresearch Center, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Mary Abdalla
- AbbVie Bioresearch Center, Worcester, MA, United States
| | | | - Danyal Butt
- AbbVie Bioresearch Center, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Anca Clabbers
- AbbVie Bioresearch Center, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Kwasi Ofori
- AbbVie Bioresearch Center, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Beth Dillon
- AbbVie Bioresearch Center, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Bohdan Harvey
- AbbVie Cambridge Research Center, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - John Memmott
- AbbVie Bioresearch Center, Worcester, MA, United States
| | | | - David Winarta
- AbbVie Bioresearch Center, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Catherine Tan
- AbbVie Cambridge Research Center, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Amlan Biswas
- AbbVie Cambridge Research Center, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Feng Dong
- AbbVie Cambridge Research Center, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | | | - Xiaoqing Lu
- AbbVie Cambridge Research Center, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Gurminder Singh
- AbbVie Cambridge Research Center, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Michael White
- AbbVie Cambridge Research Center, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | | | | | | | - Lucy Phillips
- AbbVie Bioresearch Center, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Tracy Carr
- AbbVie Inc., North Chicago, IL, United States
| | | | - Rajeeva Singh
- AbbVie Bioresearch Center, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Jianwen Xu
- AbbVie Bioresearch Center, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Kan Wu
- AbbVie Bioresearch Center, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Lisa Rinaldi
- AbbVie Bioresearch Center, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Brian Stoll
- AbbVie Inc., North Chicago, IL, United States
| | | | | | - Jozsef Karman
- AbbVie Bioresearch Center, Worcester, MA, United States
| | | | - William Stine
- AbbVie Bioresearch Center, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Ivan Correia
- AbbVie Bioresearch Center, Worcester, MA, United States
| | | | | | | | - Cedric Hubeau
- AbbVie Cambridge Research Center, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | | | | | - Edda Fiebiger
- AbbVie Cambridge Research Center, Cambridge, MA, United States
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Ko K, Wang J, Perper S, Jiang Y, Yanez D, Kaverina N, Ai J, Liarski VM, Chang A, Peng Y, Lan L, Westmoreland S, Olson L, Giger ML, Chun Wang L, Clark MR. Bcl-2 as a Therapeutic Target in Human Tubulointerstitial Inflammation. Arthritis Rheumatol 2017; 68:2740-2751. [PMID: 27159593 DOI: 10.1002/art.39744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2016] [Accepted: 05/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In lupus nephritis, tubulointerstitial inflammation (TII) is associated with in situ adaptive immune cell networks that amplify local tissue damage. Since conventional therapy appears ineffective for severe TII, and these patients often progress to renal failure, understanding in situ mechanisms might reveal new therapeutic targets. This study was undertaken to assess whether dysregulated apoptotic regulators maintain local adaptive immunity and drive inflammation in TII. METHODS This study utilized novel computational approaches that, when applied to multicolor confocal images, quantified apoptotic regulator protein expression in selected lymphocyte subsets. This approach was validated using laser-capture microdissection (LCM) coupled to quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Furthermore, the consequences of dysregulated apoptotic mediator expression were explored in a murine model of lupus nephritis. RESULTS Analyses of renal biopsy tissue from patients with lupus nephritis and those with mixed cellular renal allograft rejection revealed that the B cell lymphoma 2 protein (Bcl-2) was frequently expressed in infiltrating lymphocytes, whereas expression of myeloid cell leukemia 1 was low. In contrast, the reciprocal pattern of expression was observed in tonsil germinal centers. These results were consistent with RNA expression data obtained using LCM and qPCR. Bcl-2 was also highly expressed in tubulointerstitial infiltrates in (NZB × NZW)F1 (NZB/NZW) mice. Furthermore, treatment of NZB/NZW mice with ABT-199, a selective oral inhibitor of Bcl-2, prolonged survival and prevented proteinuria and development of TII in a lupus prevention model. Interestingly, glomerular immune complexes were partially ameliorated by ABT-199 treatment, and serum anti-double-stranded DNA antibody titers were unaffected. CONCLUSION These data demonstrate that Bcl-2 is an attractive therapeutic target in patients with lupus nephritis who manifest TII.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kichul Ko
- University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | | | - Stuart Perper
- Stuart Perper, BS, Susan Westmoreland, VMD, Lisa Olson, PhD, Li Chun Wang, PhD: AbbVie, AbbVie Bioresearch Center, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | | | | | | | - Junting Ai
- University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | | | | | - Yahui Peng
- University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Li Lan
- University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Susan Westmoreland
- Stuart Perper, BS, Susan Westmoreland, VMD, Lisa Olson, PhD, Li Chun Wang, PhD: AbbVie, AbbVie Bioresearch Center, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Lisa Olson
- Stuart Perper, BS, Susan Westmoreland, VMD, Lisa Olson, PhD, Li Chun Wang, PhD: AbbVie, AbbVie Bioresearch Center, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | | | - Li Chun Wang
- Stuart Perper, BS, Susan Westmoreland, VMD, Lisa Olson, PhD, Li Chun Wang, PhD: AbbVie, AbbVie Bioresearch Center, Worcester, Massachusetts
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Wang L, Ko K, Yanez D, Kaverina N, Liarski V, Peng Y, Lan L, Perper S, Schwartz A, O'Connor L, Souers A, Elmore S, Olson L, Giger M, Clark M. OP0136 BCL-2 As a Potential Therapeutic Target in Human Lupus Tubulointerstitial Inflammation. Ann Rheum Dis 2015. [DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2015-eular.5336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Wang L, Perper S, Schwartz A, Goess C, O'Connor L, Hartman D, Graff C, Souers A, Leverson J, Elmore S, Olson L. THU0382 Venetoclax (ABT-199), A Potent and Selective BCL-2 Inhibitor, Prevents Nephritis in Lupus Prone NZB/W F1 Mice by Depleting Selective Lymphocyte Populations While Sparing Platelets. Ann Rheum Dis 2015. [DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2015-eular.1919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Grebe K, Perper S, O'Connor L, Schwartz A, Goess C, Hartman D, Westmoreland S, Graff C, Souers A, Leverson J, Elmore S, Olson L, Wang L. Venetoclax (ABT-199), a potent and selective BCL-2 inhibitor, is efficacious in NZB/WF1 mouse model of lupus nephritis and reduces human lymphocyte lifespan in vitro (BA4P.127). The Journal of Immunology 2015. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.194.supp.47.7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Proteins in the BCL-2 family are key regulators of apoptosis, or programmed cell death. We have conducted studies to evaluate a highly potent and orally available BCL-2 selective inhibitor, venetoclax (ABT-199), for efficacy and mechanism of action in the lupus prone NZB/W F1 mouse model and in human cells in vitro. Venetoclax treatment dose-dependently reduced the incidence of severe proteinuria and prolonged survival compared to vehicle controls and attenuated glomerulonephritis, tubular dilatation, immune cell infiltrates and IgG deposition in the kidney. Venetoclax mediated a significant reduction in the numbers of splenic T cells but conferred a preferential reduction in select B cell subsets. Interestingly, venetoclax did not impair the number of CD138+ long-lived plasma cells in the bone marrow, which was consistent with unaltered circulating anti-dsDNA titers in these animals. Venetoclax efficacy also correlated with a dose -dependent reduction of lymphocytes in peripheral blood of NZB/WF1 mice. Consistent with these findings, human lymphocytes from both healthy donors and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients treated with venetoclax in vitro have reduced lifespan. Taken together, these data underscore the essential role of BCL-2 in the pathogenesis of lupus and support further exploration of selective BCL-2 inhibition in autoimmune diseases such as SLE/Lupus Nephritis. The design, study conduct, and financial support for this research were provided by AbbVie.
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Wang LC, Perper S, Perron D, Tarcsa E, Bardwell P, Mozaffarian N, Souers A, Elmore S, Ghayur T, Olson L. OP0085 Therapeutic Inhibition of Anti-Apoptotic BCL-2 Family Proteins in a Murine Model of Lupus Nephritis. Ann Rheum Dis 2013. [DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2013-eular.290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Mertsching E, Bafetti L, Hess H, Perper S, Giza K, Allen LC, Negrou E, Hathaway K, Hopp J, Chung J, Perret D, Shields M, Saxon A, Kehry MR. A mouse Fcgamma-Fcepsilon protein that inhibits mast cells through activation of FcgammaRIIB, SH2 domain-containing inositol phosphatase 1, and SH2 domain-containing protein tyrosine phosphatases. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2007; 121:441-447.e5. [PMID: 17949802 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2007.08.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2006] [Revised: 08/17/2007] [Accepted: 08/22/2007] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A human Fcgamma-Fcepsilon fusion protein (GE2) designed to inhibit FcepsilonRI signaling by coaggregating FcepsilonRI with the inhibitory receptor FcgammaRIIB has been shown to inhibit mast cell activation and block cutaneous anaphylaxis. A critical issue remained as to whether the mechanism of GE2 inhibition is competition for IgE binding or inhibitory signaling through FcgammaRIIB. OBJECTIVE Our aim was to define the in vitro and in vivo mechanism of action of a mouse homolog of GE2 (mGE) and to assess the potential of human GE2 (hGE2) for therapeutic administration. METHODS The in vitro activity of mGE on mediator release and signaling pathways was characterized in IgE-sensitized bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs). The in vivo activity of mGE was examined in mouse passive cutaneous and passive systemic anaphylaxis models, and the therapeutic activity of hGE2 was evaluated in Ascaris suum-sensitized cynomolgus monkeys. RESULTS mGE inhibited release of histamine and cytokines by BMMCs from wild-type mice but not by BMMCs from FcgammaRIIB-deficient mice. In mice mGE blocked IgE-dependent anaphylaxis mediated by mast cells with sustained efficacy. In BMMCs mGE decreased spleen tyrosine kinase and extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 phosphorylation and induced FcgammaRIIB phosphorylation and the subsequent recruitment of SH2 domain-containing inositol polyphosphate 5' phosphatase (SHIP) 1 and SH2 domain-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase (SHP) 1/2 phosphatases. When administered therapeutically, hGE2 protected sensitized monkeys from local anaphylaxis for 3 weeks. CONCLUSION mGE-mediated inhibition of mast cell activation is associated with inhibitory signaling through FcgammaRIIB that results from activation of SHIP-1 and SHP-1/2 phosphatases.
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Pepinsky RB, Lee WC, Cornebise M, Gill A, Wortham K, Chen LL, Leone DR, Giza K, Dolinski BM, Perper S, Nickerson-Nutter C, Lepage D, Chakraborty A, Whalley ET, Petter RC, Adams SP, Lobb RR, Scott DM. Design, synthesis, and analysis of a polyethelene glycol-modified (PEGylated) small molecule inhibitor of integrin {alpha}4{beta}1 with improved pharmaceutical properties. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2005; 312:742-50. [PMID: 15485895 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.104.075648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Integrin alpha4beta1 plays an important role in inflammatory processes by regulating the migration of leukocytes into inflamed tissues. Previously, we identified BIO5192 [2(S)-{[1-(3,5-dichloro-benzenesulfonyl)-pyrrolidine-2(S)-carbonyl]-amino}-4-[4-methyl-2(S)-(methyl-{2-[4-(3-o-tolyl-ureido)-phenyl]-acetyl}-amino)-pentanoylamino]-butyric acid], a highly selective and potent (K(D) of 9 pM) small molecule inhibitor of alpha4beta1. Although BIO5192 is efficacious in various animal models of inflammatory disease, high doses and daily treatment of the compound are needed to achieve a therapeutic effect because of its relatively short serum half-life. To address this issue, polyethylene glycol modification (PEGylation) was used as an approach to improve systemic exposure. BIO5192 was PEGylated by a targeted approach in which derivatizable amino groups were incorporated into the molecule. Two sites were identified that could be modified, and from these, five PEGylated compounds were synthesized and characterized. One compound, 2a-PEG (K(D) of 19 pM), was selected for in vivo studies. The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of 2a-PEG were dramatically improved relative to the unmodified compound. The PEGylated compound was efficacious in a rat model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis at a 30-fold lower molar dose than the parent compound and required only a once-a-week dosing regimen compared with a daily treatment for BIO5192. Compound 2a-PEG was highly selective for alpha4beta1. These studies demonstrate the feasibility of PEGylation of alpha4beta1-targeted small molecules with retention of activity in vitro and in vivo. 2a-PEG, and related compounds, will be valuable reagents for assessing alpha4beta1 biology and may provide a new therapeutic approach to treatment of human inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- R B Pepinsky
- Biogen Idec, Inc., 14 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
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Gommerman JL, Giza K, Perper S, Sizing I, Ngam-Ek A, Nickerson-Nutter C, Browning JL. A role for surface lymphotoxin in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis independent of LIGHT. J Clin Invest 2003; 112:755-67. [PMID: 12952924 PMCID: PMC182210 DOI: 10.1172/jci18648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In studies using genetically deficient mice, a role for the lymphotoxin (LT) system in the pathogenesis of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) has remained controversial. Here, we have reassessed this conclusion by using a fusion protein decoy that blocks the LT pathway in vivo without evoking the developmental defects inherent in LT-deficient mice. We have found that inhibition of the LT pathway prevented disease in two models of EAE that do not rely on the administration of pertussis toxin. Surprisingly, disease attenuation was due to specific blockade of LTalphabeta binding rather than the binding of LIGHT to its receptors. In a third system that requires pertussis toxin, LT inhibition did not affect disease, as was observed when the same model was used with LT-deficient mice. Disease prevention in pertussis toxin-free models was associated with defects in T cell responses and migration. When the DO11.10 T cell transgenic system was used, inhibition of the LT pathway was shown to uncouple T cell priming from T cell recall responses. Therefore, it is hypothesized that the LT pathway and its ability to maintain lymphoid microenvironments is critical for sustaining late-phase T cell responses in multiple sclerosis.
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Leone DR, Giza K, Gill A, Dolinski BM, Yang W, Perper S, Scott DM, Lee WC, Cornebise M, Wortham K, Nickerson-Nutter C, Chen LL, LePage D, Spell JC, Whalley ET, Petter RC, Adams SP, Lobb RR, Pepinsky RB. An assessment of the mechanistic differences between two integrin alpha 4 beta 1 inhibitors, the monoclonal antibody TA-2 and the small molecule BIO5192, in rat experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2003; 305:1150-62. [PMID: 12626659 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.102.047332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Integrin alpha 4 beta 1 plays an important role in inflammatory processes by regulating the migration of lymphocytes into inflamed tissues. Here we evaluated the biochemical, pharmacological, and pharmacodynamic properties and efficacy in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a model of multiple sclerosis, of two types of alpha 4 beta 1 inhibitors, the anti-rat alpha 4 monoclonal antibody TA-2 and the small molecule inhibitor BIO5192 [2(S)-[[1-(3,5-dichloro-benzenesulfonyl)-pyrrolidine-2(S)-carbonyl]-amino]-4-[4-methyl-2(S)-(methyl-[2-[4-(3-o-tolyl-ureido)-phenyl]-acetyl]-amino)-pentanoylamino]-butyric acid]. TA-2 has been extensively studied in rats and provides a benchmark for assessing function. BIO5192 is a highly selective and potent (KD of <10 pM) inhibitor of alpha 4 beta 1. Dosing regimens were identified for both inhibitors, which provided full receptor occupancy during the duration of the study. Both inhibitors induced leukocytosis, an effect that was used as a pharmacodynamic marker of activity, and both were efficacious in the EAE model. Treatment with TA-2 caused a decrease in alpha 4 integrin expression on the cell surface, which resulted from internalization of alpha 4 integrin/TA-2 complexes. In contrast, BIO5192 did not modulate cell surface alpha 4 beta 1. Our results with BIO5192 indicate that alpha 4 beta 7 does not play a role in this model and that blockade of alpha 4 beta 1/ligand interactions without down-modulation is sufficient for efficacy in rat EAE. BIO5192 is highly selective and binds with high affinity to alpha 4 beta 1 from four of four species tested. These studies demonstrate that BIO5192, a novel, potent, and selective inhibitor of alpha 4 beta 1 integrin, will be a valuable reagent for assessing alpha 4 beta 1 biology and may provide a new therapeutic for treatment of human inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- D R Leone
- Biogen, Inc., 12 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
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