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Xie M, Cao H, Qiao W, Yan G, Qian X, Zhang Y, Xu L, Wen S, Shi J, Cheng M, Dong N. Shear stress activates the Piezo1 channel to facilitate valvular endothelium-oriented differentiation and maturation of human induced pluripotent stem cells. Acta Biomater 2024; 178:181-195. [PMID: 38447808 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2024.02.043] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Valvular endothelial cells (VECs) derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) provide an unlimited cell source for tissue engineering heart valves (TEHVs); however, they are limited by their low differentiation efficiency and immature function. In our study, we applied unidirectional shear stress to promote hiPSCs differentiation into valvular endothelial-like cells (VELs). Compared to the static group, shear stress efficiently promoted the differentiation and functional maturation of hiPSC-VELs, as demonstrated by the efficiency of endothelial differentiation reaching 98.3% in the high shear stress group (45 dyn/cm2). Furthermore, we found that Piezo1 served as a crucial mechanosensor for the differentiation and maturation of VELs. Mechanistically, the activation of Piezo1 by shear stress resulted in the influx of calcium ions, which in turn initiated the Akt signaling pathway and promoted the differentiation of hiPSCs into mature VELs. Moreover, VELs cultured on decellularized heart valves (DHVs) exhibited a notable propensity for proliferation, robust adhesion properties, and antithrombotic characteristics, which were dependent on the activation of the Piezo1 channel. Overall, our study demonstrated that proper shear stress activated the Piezo1 channel to facilitate the differentiation and maturation of hiPSC-VELs via the Akt pathway, providing a potential cell source for regenerative medicine, drug screening, pathogenesis, and disease modeling. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: This is the first research that systematically analyzes the effect of shear stress on valvular endothelial-like cells (VELs) derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). Mechanistically, unidirectional shear stress activates Piezo1, resulting in an elevation of calcium levels, which triggers the Akt signaling pathway and then facilitates the differentiation of functional maturation VELs. After exposure to shear stress, the VELs exhibited enhanced proliferation, robust adhesion capabilities, and antithrombotic characteristics while being cultured on decellularized heart valves. Thus, it is of interest to develop hiPSCs-VELs using shear stress and the Piezo1 channel provides insights into the functional maturation of valvular endothelial cells, thereby serving as a catalyst for potential applications in the development of therapeutic and tissue-engineered heart valves in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minghui Xie
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Hong Cao
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Weihua Qiao
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Ge Yan
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430014, China
| | - Xingyu Qian
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Yecen Zhang
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Li Xu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Shuyu Wen
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Jiawei Shi
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Min Cheng
- Department of Cardiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China.
| | - Nianguo Dong
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China.
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Niepmann ST, Willemsen N, Boucher AS, Stei M, Goody P, Zietzer A, Bulic M, Billig H, Odainic A, Weisheit CK, Quast C, Adam M, Schmidt SV, Bakhtiary F, Jansen F, Nickenig G, Latz E, Zimmer S. Toll-like receptor-3 contributes to the development of aortic valve stenosis. Basic Res Cardiol 2023; 118:6. [PMID: 36723728 PMCID: PMC9892139 DOI: 10.1007/s00395-023-00980-9] [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] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Aortic valve stenosis (AS) development is driven by distinct molecular and cellular mechanisms which include inflammatory pathways. Toll-like-receptor-3 (TLR3) is a lysosomal pattern-recognition receptor that binds double-stranded RNA and promotes pro-inflammatory cellular responses. In recent years, TLR3 has emerged as a major regulator of vascular inflammation. The exact role of TLR3 in the development of AS has not been investigated. Isolated human valvular interstitial cells (VICs) were stimulated with the TLR3-agonist polyIC and the resulting pro-inflammatory and pro-osteogenic response measured. Severe AS was induced in wildtype- and TLR3-/- mice via mechanical injury of the aortic valve with a coronary springwire. TLR3 activation was achieved by polyIC injection every 24 h after wire injury, while TLR3 inhibition was realized using Compound 4a (C4a) every 48 h after surgery. Endothelial mesenchymal transition (EndoMT) of human valvular endothelial cells (VECs) was assessed after polyIC stimulation. Stimulation of human VICs with polyIC promoted a strong inflammatory and pro-osteogenic reaction. Similarly, injection of polyIC marginally increased AS development in mice after wire injury. AS induction was significantly decreased in TLR3-/- mice, confirming the role of endogenous TLR3 ligands in AS pathology. Pharmacological inhibition of TLR3 with C4a not only prevented the upregulation of inflammatory cytokines and osteogenic markers in VICs, and EndoMT in VECs, but also significantly abolished the development of AS in vivo. Endogenous TLR3 activation significantly contributes to AS development in mice. Pharmacological inhibition of TLR3 with C4a prevented AS formation. Therefore, targeting TLR3 may be a viable treatment option.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven Thomas Niepmann
- Heart Center Bonn, Clinic for Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
| | - Nicola Willemsen
- Heart Center Bonn, Clinic for Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Ann Sophie Boucher
- Heart Center Bonn, Clinic for Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Marta Stei
- Heart Center Bonn, Clinic for Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Philip Goody
- Heart Center Bonn, Clinic for Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Andreas Zietzer
- Heart Center Bonn, Clinic for Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Marko Bulic
- Heart Center Bonn, Clinic for Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Hannah Billig
- Heart Center Bonn, Clinic for Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Alexandru Odainic
- Institute of Innate Immunity, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany ,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC Australia
| | | | - Christine Quast
- Cardiovascular Research Laboratory, Division of Cardiology, Pulmonary Diseases and Vascular Medicine, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany ,Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Matti Adam
- Clinic for Cardiology, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | | | - Farhad Bakhtiary
- Heart Center Bonn, Clinic for Heard Surgery, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Felix Jansen
- Heart Center Bonn, Clinic for Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Georg Nickenig
- Heart Center Bonn, Clinic for Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Eike Latz
- Institute of Innate Immunity, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Sebastian Zimmer
- Heart Center Bonn, Clinic for Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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Faure E, Bertrand E, Gasté A, Plaindoux E, Deplano V, Zaffran S. Side-dependent effect in the response of valve endothelial cells to bidirectional shear stress. Int J Cardiol 2021; 323:220-8. [PMID: 32858136 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2020.08.074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Revised: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Endothelial cells covering the aortic and ventricular sides of the aortic valve leaflets are exposed to different stresses, in particular wall shear stress (WSS). Biomechanical stimuli actively regulate valve tissue structure and induce remodeling events leading to valve dysfunction. Endothelial to mesenchymal transformation (EndMT), for example, has been associated with aortic valve disease. The biomechanical response of cells at different sides of the leaflets has not been clearly characterized. To analyze the mechanical response of valve endothelial cells (VECs) we developed a unique fluid activation device that applies physiologically relevant pulsatile WSS. We characterized the morphology and function of adult porcine aortic VECs derived from the opposite sides of aortic valve leaflets following exposure to different pulsatile WSS. We found that elongation and orientation of cells in response to pulsatile WSS depends on their side of origin. Quantification of gene expression confirms phenotypic differences between aortic and ventricular VECs. Aortic VECs exposed to pulsatile WSS similar to that in vivo at the tip of aortic side of the valve leaflet upregulated pro-EndMT (ACTA2, Snail, TGFβ1) and inflammation (ICAM-1, VCAM-1) genes, whereas expression of endothelial markers like PECAM-1 was decreased. Conversely, ventricular-VECs showed strong increase of PECAM-1 expression and no activation of pro-EndMT marker. Finally, we found that stress-induced genes are upregulated in both cell types, at higher levels in ventricular compared to aortic VECs. Application of physiological shear stress levels using a fluid activation device therefore reveals functional differences in VECs derived from opposite sides of the aortic valve leaflets.
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Spadaccio C, Mozetic P, Nappi F, Nenna A, Sutherland F, Trombetta M, Chello M, Rainer A. Cells and extracellular matrix interplay in cardiac valve disease: because age matters. Basic Res Cardiol 2016; 111:16. [PMID: 26830603 DOI: 10.1007/s00395-016-0534-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2015] [Revised: 12/27/2015] [Accepted: 01/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Cardiovascular aging is a physiological process affecting all components of the heart. Despite the interest and experimental effort lavished on aging of cardiac cells, increasing evidence is pointing at the pivotal role of extracellular matrix (ECM) in cardiac aging. Structural and molecular changes in ECM composition during aging are at the root of significant functional modifications at the level of cardiac valve apparatus. Indeed, calcification or myxomatous degeneration of cardiac valves and their functional impairment can all be explained in light of age-related ECM alterations and the reciprocal interplay between altered ECM and cellular elements populating the leaflet, namely valvular interstitial cells and valvular endothelial cells, is additionally affecting valve function with striking reflexes on the clinical scenario. The initial experimental findings on this argument are underlining the need for a more comprehensive understanding on the biological mechanisms underlying ECM aging and remodeling as potentially constituting a pharmacological therapeutic target or a basis to improve existing prosthetic devices and treatment options. Given the lack of systematic knowledge on this topic, this review will focus on the ECM changes that occur during aging and on their clinical translational relevance and implications in the bedside scenario.
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Hjortnaes J, Shapero K, Goettsch C, Hutcheson JD, Keegan J, Kluin J, Mayer JE, Bischoff J, Aikawa E. Valvular interstitial cells suppress calcification of valvular endothelial cells. Atherosclerosis 2015; 242:251-260. [PMID: 26232165 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2015.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2015] [Revised: 07/02/2015] [Accepted: 07/02/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is the most common heart valve disease in the Western world. We previously proposed that valvular endothelial cells (VECs) replenish injured adult valve leaflets via endothelial-to-mesenchymal transformation (EndMT); however, whether EndMT contributes to valvular calcification is unknown. We hypothesized that aortic VECs undergo osteogenic differentiation via an EndMT process that can be inhibited by valvular interstitial cells (VICs). APPROACH AND RESULTS VEC clones underwent TGF-β1-mediated EndMT, shown by significantly increased mRNA expression of the EndMT markers α-SMA (5.3 ± 1.2), MMP-2 (13.5 ± 0.6) and Slug (12 ± 2.1) (p < 0.05), (compared to unstimulated controls). To study the effects of VIC on VEC EndMT, clonal populations of VICs were derived from the same valve leaflets, placed in co-culture with VECs, and grown in control/TGF-β1 supplemented media. In the presence of VICs, EndMT was inhibited, shown by decreased mRNA expression of α-SMA (0.1 ± 0.5), MMP-2 (0.1 ± 0.1), and Slug (0.2 ± 0.2) (p < 0.05). When cultured in osteogenic media, VECs demonstrated osteogenic changes confirmed by increase in mRNA expression of osteocalcin (8.6 ± 1.3), osteopontin (3.7 ± 0.3), and Runx2 (5.5 ± 1.5). The VIC presence inhibited VEC osteogenesis, demonstrated by decreased expression of osteocalcin (0.4 ± 0.1) and osteopontin (0.2 ± 0.1) (p < 0.05). Time course analysis suggested that EndMT precedes osteogenesis, shown by an initial increase of α-SMA and MMP-2 (day 7), followed by an increase of osteopontin and osteocalcin (day 14). CONCLUSIONS The data indicate that EndMT may precede VEC osteogenesis. This study shows that VICs inhibit VEC EndMT and osteogenesis, indicating the importance of VEC-VIC interactions in valve homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesper Hjortnaes
- Center of Excellence in Vascular Biology, Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston.,Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Kayle Shapero
- Vascular Biology Program and Department of Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston
| | - Claudia Goettsch
- Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston
| | - Joshua D Hutcheson
- Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston
| | - Joshua Keegan
- Center of Excellence in Vascular Biology, Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston
| | - Jolanda Kluin
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - John E Mayer
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston
| | - Joyce Bischoff
- Vascular Biology Program and Department of Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston
| | - Elena Aikawa
- Center of Excellence in Vascular Biology, Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston.,Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston
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Gould ST, Matherly EE, Smith JN, Heistad DD, Anseth KS. The role of valvular endothelial cell paracrine signaling and matrix elasticity on valvular interstitial cell activation. Biomaterials 2014; 35:3596-606. [PMID: 24462357 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2014.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2013] [Accepted: 01/07/2014] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The effects of valvular endothelial cell (VlvEC) paracrine signaling on VIC phenotype and nodule formation were tested using a co-culture platform with physiologically relevant matrix elasticities and diffusion distance. 100 μm thin poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogels of 3-27 kPa Young's moduli were fabricated in transwell inserts. VICs were cultured on the gels, as VIC phenotype is known to change significantly within this range, while VlvECs lined the underside of the membrane. Co-culture with VlvECs significantly reduced VIC activation to the myofibroblast phenotype on all gels with the largest percent decrease on the 3 kPa gels (~70%), while stiffer gels resulted in approximately 20-30% decrease. Additionally, VlvECs significantly reduced αSMA protein expression (~2 fold lower) on both 3 and 27 kPa gels, as well as the number (~2 fold lower) of nodules formed on the 27 kPa gels. Effects of VlvECs were prevented when nitric oxide (NO) release was inhibited with l-NAME, suggesting that VlvEC produced NO inhibits VIC activation. Withdrawal of l-NAME after 3, 5, and 7 days with restoration of VlvEC NO production for 2 additional days led to a partial reversal of VIC activation (~25% decrease). A potential mechanism by which VlvEC produced NO reduced VIC activation was studied by inhibiting initial and mid-stage cGMP pathway molecules. Inhibition of soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) with ODQ or protein kinase G (PKG) with RBrcGMP or stimulation of Rho kinase (ROCK) with LPA, abolished VlvEC effects on VIC activation. This work contributes substantially to the understanding of the valve endothelium's role in preventing VIC functions associated with aortic valve stenosis initiation and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah T Gould
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The BioFrontiers Institute, Boulder, CO 80303, USA
| | - Emily E Matherly
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The BioFrontiers Institute, Boulder, CO 80303, USA
| | - Jennifer N Smith
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The BioFrontiers Institute, Boulder, CO 80303, USA
| | - Donald D Heistad
- Departments of Internal Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Iowa Health Care, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Kristi S Anseth
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The BioFrontiers Institute, Boulder, CO 80303, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80303, USA.
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Tseng H, Balaoing LR, Grigoryan B, Raphael RM, Killian TC, Souza GR, Grande-Allen KJ. A three-dimensional co-culture model of the aortic valve using magnetic levitation. Acta Biomater 2014; 10:173-82. [PMID: 24036238 PMCID: PMC10593146 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2013.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2013] [Revised: 08/31/2013] [Accepted: 09/04/2013] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The aortic valve consists of valvular interstitial cells (VICs) and endothelial cells (VECs). While these cells are understood to work synergistically to maintain leaflet structure and valvular function, few co-culture models of these cell types exist. In this study, aortic valve co-cultures (AVCCs) were assembled using magnetic levitation and cultured for 3 days. Immunohistochemistry and quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction were used to assess the maintenance of cellular phenotype and function, and the formation of extracellular matrix. AVCCs stained positive for CD31 and α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA), demonstrating that the phenotype was maintained. Functional markers endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), von Willebrand factor (VWF) and prolyl-4-hydroxylase were present. Extracellular matrix components collagen type I, laminin and fibronectin also stained positive, with reduced gene expression of these proteins in three dimensions compared to two dimensions. Genes for collagen type I, lysyl oxidase and αSMA were expressed less in AVCCs than in 2-D cultures, indicating that VICs are quiescent. Co-localization of CD31 and αSMA in the AVCCs suggests that endothelial-mesenchymal transdifferentiation might be occurring. Differences in VWF and eNOS in VECs cultured in two and three dimensions also suggests that the AVCCs possibly have anti-thrombotic potential. Overall, a co-culture model of the aortic valve was designed, and serves as a basis for future experiments to understand heart valve biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hubert Tseng
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
- Nano3D Biosciences, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Liezl R. Balaoing
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Bagrat Grigoryan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Robert M. Raphael
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
- Nano3D Biosciences, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - T. C. Killian
- Nano3D Biosciences, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
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