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Gazdhar A, Temuri A, Knudsen L, Gugger M, Schmid RA, Ochs M, Geiser T. Targeted gene transfer of hepatocyte growth factor to alveolar type II epithelial cells reduces lung fibrosis in rats. Hum Gene Ther 2013; 24:105-16. [PMID: 23134111 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2012.098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Inefficient alveolar wound repair contributes to the development of pulmonary fibrosis. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a potent growth factor for alveolar type II epithelial cells (AECII) and may improve repair and reduce fibrosis. We studied whether targeted gene transfer of HGF specifically to AECII improves lung fibrosis in bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis. A plasmid encoding human HGF expressed from the human surfactant protein C promoter (pSpC-hHGF) was designed, and extracorporeal electroporation-mediated gene transfer of HGF specifically to AECII was performed 7 days after bleomycin-induced lung injury in the rat. Animals were killed 7 days after hHGF gene transfer. Electroporation-mediated HGF gene transfer resulted in HGF expression specifically in AECII at biologically relevant levels. HGF gene transfer reduced pulmonary fibrosis as assessed by histology, hydroxyproline determination, and design-based stereology compared with controls. Our results indicate that the antifibrotic effect of HGF is due in part to a reduction of transforming growth factor-β(1), modulation of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and reduction of extravascular fibrin deposition. We conclude that targeted HGF gene transfer specifically to AECII decreases bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis and may therefore represent a novel cell-specific gene transfer technology to treat pulmonary fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amiq Gazdhar
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, University Hospital Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
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Meyer G, Leipprandt J, Xie J, Aupperlee MD, Haslam SZ. A potential role of progestin-induced laminin-5/α6-integrin signaling in the formation of side branches in the mammary gland. Endocrinology 2012; 153:4990-5001. [PMID: 22910029 PMCID: PMC3512027 DOI: 10.1210/en.2012-1518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2012] [Accepted: 07/31/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Mammary organoids from adult mice produce tubules, analogous to mammary ducts in vivo, in response to hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) when cultured in collagen gels. The combination of HGF plus progestin (R5020) causes reduced tubule number and length. We hypothesized that the inhibitory effect on tubulogenesis was due to progestin-mediated alteration of HGF/c-Met signaling. Using molecular inhibitors and short hairpin RNA, it was determined that HGF activation of Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate (Rac1) was required for the formation of cytoplasmic extensions, the first step of tubulogenesis, and that Rac1 activity was Src kinase (Src) and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) dependent. The highly novel finding was that R5020 reduced tubulogenesis by up-regulating and increasing extracellular laminin and α6-integrin ligation to reduce activation of the Src, focal adhesion kinase, and Rac1 pathway. Receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand, another progesterone-induced paracrine factor, did not replicate this effect of R5020. The inhibitory effect of R5020 on tubulogenesis was likely mediated through progesterone receptor (PR) isoform A (PRA), because PRA is the predominant PR isoform expressed in the organoids, and the progestin-induced effect was prevented by the PR antagonist RU486. These results provide a plausible mechanism that explains progestin/PRA-mediated blunting of HGF-induced tubulogenesis in vitro and is proposed to be relevant to progesterone/PRA-induced side-branching in vivo during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Meyer
- Department of Physiology and Breast Cancer and the Environment Research Center, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA
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Yuan JXJ, Garcia JG, West JB, Hales CA, Rich S, Archer SL. Genomics of Acute Lung Injury and Vascular Barrier Dysfunction. TEXTBOOK OF PULMONARY VASCULAR DISEASE 2011. [PMCID: PMC7122529 DOI: 10.1007/978-0-387-87429-6_63] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Acute lung injury (ALI) is a devastating syndrome of diffuse alveolar damage that develops via a variety of local and systemic insults such as sepsis, trauma, pneumonia, and aspiration. It is interestingly to note that only a subset of individuals exposed to potential ALI-inciting insults develop the disorder and the severity of the disease varies from complete resolution to death. In addition, ALI susceptibility and severity are also affected by ethnicity as evidenced by the higher mortality rates observed in African-American ALI patients compared with other ethnic groups in the USA. Moreover, marked differences in strain-specific ALI responses to inflammatory and injurious agents are observed in preclinical animal models. Together, these observations strongly indicate genetic components to be involved in the pathogenesis of ALI. The identification of genes contributing to ALI would potentially provide a better understanding of ALI pathobiology, yield novel biomarkers, identify individuals or populations at risk, and prove useful for the development of novel and individualized therapies. Genome-wide searches in animal models have identified a number of quantitative trait loci that associate with ALI susceptibility. In this chapter, we utilize a systems biology approach combining cellular signaling pathway analysis with population- based association studies to review established and suspected candidate genes that contribute to dysfunction of endothelial cell barrier integrity and ALI susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason X. -J. Yuan
- Departments of Medicine, COMRB Rm. 3131 (MC 719), University of Illinois at Chicago, 909 South Wolcott Avenue, Chicago, 60612 Illinois USA
| | - Joe G.N. Garcia
- 310 Admin.Office Building (MC 672), University of Illinois at Chicago, 1737 W. Polk Street, Suite 310, Chicago, 60612 Illinois USA
| | - John B. West
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, 92093-0623 California USA
| | - Charles A. Hales
- Dept. Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, 02114 Massachusetts USA
| | - Stuart Rich
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago Medical Center, 5841 S. Maryland Ave., Chicago, 60637 Illinois USA
| | - Stephen L. Archer
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago School of Medicine, 5841 S. Maryland Ave., Chicago, 60637 Illinois USA
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Tsoutsou PG, Koukourakis MI. Radiation pneumonitis and fibrosis: Mechanisms underlying its pathogenesis and implications for future research. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2006; 66:1281-93. [PMID: 17126203 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2006.08.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 226] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2006] [Revised: 08/21/2006] [Accepted: 08/23/2006] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Radiation pneumonitis and subsequent radiation pulmonary fibrosis are the two main dose-limiting factors when irradiating the thorax that can have severe implications for patients' quality of life. In this article, the current concepts about the pathogenetic mechanisms underlying radiation pneumonitis and fibrosis are presented. The clinical course of fibrosis, a postulated acute inflammatory stage, and a late fibrotic and irreversible stage are discussed. The interplay of cells and the wide variety of molecules orchestrating the immunologic response to radiation, their interactions with specific receptors, and the cascade of events they trigger are elucidated. Finally, the implications of this knowledge with respect to the therapeutic interventions are critically presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pelagia G Tsoutsou
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
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Lassus P, Janer J, Haglund C, Karikoski R, Andersson LC, Andersson S. Consistent Expression of HGF and c-met in the Perinatal Lung. Neonatology 2006; 90:28-33. [PMID: 16498238 DOI: 10.1159/000091663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2005] [Accepted: 10/11/2005] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), an epithelial cell mitogen, has been shown to participate in normal lung development and in regeneration after lung injury. In human preterm infants, lower pulmonary HGF has been associated with more severe respiratory disease. OBJECTIVES We studied the protein expression of HGF and its receptor c-met during the perinatal period in the human lung. METHODS Immunohistochemistry for HGF and c-met was performed on lung tissues from autopsies of 4 fetuses, 5 preterm infants, 5 term infants, and 4 infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia. RESULTS Immunohistochemistry for HGF showed staining in all cases in mesenchymal cells (fibroblasts and cartilage cells). Additional staining was found in bronchial and distal airway epithelium. Immunohistochemistry for c-met showed staining in bronchial and distal airway epithelium, and in most cases in neutrophils. CONCLUSIONS The consistent expression of HGF and c-met during the perinatal period supports a physiological role for HGF in human lung development.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Lassus
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Hospital for Children and Adolescents, Helsinki, Finland.
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Ono M, Sawa Y, Mizuno S, Fukushima N, Ichikawa H, Bessho K, Nakamura T, Matsuda H. Hepatocyte growth factor suppresses vascular medial hyperplasia and matrix accumulation in advanced pulmonary hypertension of rats. Circulation 2004; 110:2896-902. [PMID: 15505094 DOI: 10.1161/01.cir.0000146342.30470.30] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a progressive disease characterized by raised pulmonary vascular resistance, thought to be curable only through lung transplantation. Pathophysiologically, proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells triggers pulmonary arterial stenosis and/or regurgitation, especially in advanced PH. METHODS AND RESULTS Using a rat model of advanced pulmonary vascular disease produced by injecting monocrotaline, we show that hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) targets pulmonary arterioles and blocks the progression of PH. In these rats, endogenous HGF production was dramatically downregulated during developing experimental PH, but c-Met/HGF receptor was abundant in the medial layers of pulmonary arterioles. HGF gene transfection 2 weeks after the monocrotaline injection resulted in milder medial hyperplasia in lung arterioles and inhibited overgrowth of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. Notably, exogenous HGF reduced lung expression levels of endothelin-1 and transforming growth factor-beta, which are critically involved in PH-linked fibrogenic events. Overall, medial wall thickening of pulmonary arteries was almost completely prevented by HGF, and the total collagen deposition in the lung decreased; both effects contributed to the suppression of pulmonary artery hypertension. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that the loss of endogenous HGF may be a feature of the pathogenesis of PH and that HGF supplementation may minimize pathological lung conditions, even advanced PH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masamichi Ono
- Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
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Okada M, Sugita K, Inukai T, Goi K, Kagami K, Kawasaki K, Nakazawa S. Hepatocyte growth factor protects small airway epithelial cells from apoptosis induced by tumor necrosis factor-alpha or oxidative stress. Pediatr Res 2004; 56:336-44. [PMID: 15201405 DOI: 10.1203/01.pdr.0000134255.58638.59] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Involvement of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in lung morphogenesis and regeneration has been established by in vitro and in vivo experiments in animals. In the present study, the protective activity of HGF against tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha or hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced damage of pulmonary epithelial cells was examined using the human small airway epithelial cell line (SAEC). Western blot analysis revealed that the receptor for HGF (c-Met) was highly expressed on the surface of SAEC and its downstream signal transduction pathway was functional. The SAEC was induced into apoptosis by the treatment with TNF-alpha or H2O2 in a dose-dependant manner, but was significantly rescued from apoptosis in the presence of HGF. The HGF effect was evident when added not only at the same time but also within several hours after treatment. This protective activity of HGF against the TNF-alpha- or H2O2-induced apoptosis was mediated, at least in part, by up-regulating the nuclear factor kappaB activity and an increase in the ratio of apoptosis-suppressing to apoptosis-inducing proteins. These results suggest that administration of HGF might exhibit a potent function in vivo for protection and improvement of acute and chronic lung injuries induced by inflammation and/or oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michiyo Okada
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Tamaho, Nakakoma, Yamanashi 409-3898, Japan
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Lassus P, Heikkilä P, Andersson LC, von Boguslawski K, Andersson S. Lower concentration of pulmonary hepatocyte growth factor is associated with more severe lung disease in preterm infants. J Pediatr 2003; 143:199-202. [PMID: 12970632 DOI: 10.1067/s0022-3476(03)00297-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) participates in normal lung development and in regeneration after lung injury in animals. We studied the role of HGF during the perinatal period and in the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). STUDY DESIGN HGF was measured in 172 tracheal aspirate fluid samples (TAF) from 17 preterm infants in whom BPD subsequently developed (gestational age, 27.2+/-1.7 weeks; body weight, 828+/-210 g) and from 15 who survived without BPD (gestational age, 26.8+/-1.9 weeks; body weight, 994+/-265 g) during the first 2 postnatal weeks. RESULTS Infants with subsequent development of BPD had lower HGF in TAF (45+/-9 pg/mL per IgA-sc) than those surviving without BPD (102+/-32 pg/mL per IgA-sc; P=.028). Lower HGF in TAF were seen in infants with more severe acute respiratory distress as defined as requirement for surfactant therapy (50+/-14 vs 146+/-50 pg/mL per IgA-sc in infants requiring no surfactant; P=.0001), for higher number of surfactant doses (r=-0.16, P=.06), and for mechanical ventilation >1 week (167+/-51 vs 51+/-14 pg/mL per IgA-sc in infants intubated <1 week; P=.0012). CONCLUSIONS These data show an association between lower HGF concentration in TAF and more severe lung disease in human preterm infants in the early neonatal period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrik Lassus
- Hospital for Children and Adolescents, Stenbäckinkatu 11, 00290 Helsinki, Finland.
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Lassus P, Nupponen I, Kari A, Pohjavuori M, Andersson S. Early postnatal dexamethasone decreases hepatocyte growth factor in tracheal aspirate fluid from premature infants. Pediatrics 2002; 110:768-71. [PMID: 12359793 DOI: 10.1542/peds.110.4.768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate in preterm infants the effect of dexamethasone on hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), an epithelial cell mitogen, and on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), an endothelial cell mitogen, in tracheal aspirate fluid (TAF). METHODS Thirty preterm infants (birth weight: 1000-1500 g) with respiratory distress syndrome were randomized to receive dexamethasone or to serve as control subjects. Dexamethasone was started at the age of 12 to 24 hours at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg/d for 2 days and 0.25 mg/kg/d for the subsequent 2 days. HGF and VEGF levels were examined from TAF samples during the first postnatal week. For eliminating the effect of dilution, the concentration of the secretory component of immunoglobulin A was determined. Student t test, 1-way analysis of variance, chi2, and simple regression analysis were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS Mean HGF concentrations were similar in the dexamethasone and control groups on days 1 to 2, but the dexamethasone group had a lower mean HGF concentration on days 3 to 4 and 5 to 7. In contrast, no differences existed in mean VEGF levels between the dexamethasone and control groups. CONCLUSIONS In preterm infants who received early postnatal dexamethasone, reduced levels of HGF were seen in tracheal aspirates. This reduction may participate in the suppressive effects of dexamethasone on lung development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrik Lassus
- Hospital for Children and Adolescents, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
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Ware LB, Matthay MA. Keratinocyte and hepatocyte growth factors in the lung: roles in lung development, inflammation, and repair. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2002; 282:L924-40. [PMID: 11943656 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00439.2001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 218] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
A growing body of evidence indicates that the epithelial-specific growth factors keratinocyte growth factor (KGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-10, and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) play important roles in lung development, lung inflammation, and repair. The therapeutic potential of these growth factors in lung disease has yet to be fully explored. KGF has been best studied and has impressive protective effects against a wide variety of injurious stimuli when given as a pretreatment in animal models. Whether this protective effect could translate to a treatment effect in humans with acute lung injury needs to be investigated. FGF-10 and HGF may also have therapeutic potential, but more extensive studies in animal models are needed. Because HGF lacks true epithelial specificity, it may have less potential than KGF and FGF-10 as a targeted therapy to facilitate lung epithelial repair. Regardless of their therapeutic potential, studies of the unique roles played by these growth factors in the pathogenesis and the resolution of acute lung injury and other lung diseases will continue to enhance our understanding of the complex pathophysiology of inflammation and repair in the lung.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorraine B Ware
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles 90024, USA
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Taylor KM, Chen C, Gray CA, Bazer FW, Spencer TE. Expression of messenger ribonucleic acids for fibroblast growth factors 7 and 10, hepatocyte growth factor, and insulin-like growth factors and their receptors in the neonatal ovine uterus. Biol Reprod 2001; 64:1236-46. [PMID: 11259272 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod64.4.1236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
In sheep, uterine development begins during fetal life but is only completed postnatally with proliferation and branching morphogenetic differentiation of the endometrial glandular epithelium (G) from the luminal epithelium (L) between birth or Postnatal Day (PND) 0 and PND 56. In other epithelial-mesenchymal organs, fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-7 and FGF-10, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), and insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and IGF-II play essential roles in ductal branching morphogenesis. Semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and in situ hybridization analyses were used to study temporal and spatial alterations in expression of mRNAs for growth factors (FGF-7, FGF-10, HGF, IGF-I, IGF-II) and their respective receptors (FGF receptor or FGFR2IIIb, c-met, and IGF-IR) in the developing neonatal ovine uterus. The RT-PCR analyses indicated that expression of FGF-10, HGF, IGF-I, and IGF-II mRNAs increased in the neonatal uterus between PND 1 and 56. In situ hybridization analyses indicated that FGFR2IIIb and c-met mRNAs were expressed solely in uterine L and developing G, whereas IGF-IR was expressed in all uterine cell types, with highest levels in L and developing G. Both IGF-I and IGF-II mRNAs were expressed in the endometrial stroma and myometrium, with IGF-I predominantly in the intercaruncular endometrial stroma. The highest levels of IGF-I and IGF-II mRNA expression were detected in the intercaruncular endometrial stroma surrounding the nascent and proliferating glands. Immunohistochemistry revealed that phosphorylated extracellular regulated kinases-1 and -2 were most abundantly expressed in the nascent and proliferating glands of the developing neonatal uterine wall. These results implicate FGF-7, FGF-10, HGF, IGF-I, IGF-II, and their epithelial receptors in epithelial-mesenchymal interactions regulating endometrial gland morphogenesis in the neonatal sheep uterus.
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Affiliation(s)
- K M Taylor
- Center for Animal Biotechnology and Genomics and Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-2471, USA
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Affiliation(s)
- W J Dai
- Second Department of General Surgery, the First Clinical School, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, Heilongjiang Province, China.
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