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Santegoeds R, Yakkioui Y, Jahanshahi A, Raven G, Van Overbeeke J, Herrler A, Temel Y. Notochord isolation using laser capture microdissection. J Chem Neuroanat 2017; 80:37-43. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2016.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2016] [Revised: 11/08/2016] [Accepted: 12/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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Ghannam M, Jumah F, Mansour S, Samara A, Alkhdour S, Alzuabi MA, Aker L, Adeeb N, Massengale J, Oskouian RJ, Tubbs RS. Surgical anatomy, radiological features, and molecular biology of the lumbar intervertebral discs. Clin Anat 2017; 30:251-266. [PMID: 27997062 DOI: 10.1002/ca.22822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2016] [Accepted: 12/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The intervertebral disc (IVD) is a joint unique in structure and functions. Lying between adjacent vertebrae, it provides both the primary support and the elasticity required for the spine to move stably. Various aspects of the IVD have long been studied by researchers seeking a better understanding of its dynamics, aging, and subsequent disorders. In this article, we review the surgical anatomy, imaging modalities, and molecular biology of the lumbar IVD. Clin. Anat. 30:251-266, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malik Ghannam
- An-Najah National University Hospital, Nablus, Palestine
| | - Fareed Jumah
- An-Najah National University Hospital, Nablus, Palestine
| | - Shaden Mansour
- An-Najah National University Hospital, Nablus, Palestine
| | - Amjad Samara
- An-Najah National University Hospital, Nablus, Palestine
| | - Saja Alkhdour
- An-Najah National University Hospital, Nablus, Palestine
| | | | - Loai Aker
- An-Najah National University Hospital, Nablus, Palestine
| | - Nimer Adeeb
- Department of Neurosurgery, Boston Medical Center, Boston University, Massachusetts
| | - Justin Massengale
- Department of Neurosurgery, Boston Medical Center, Boston University, Massachusetts
| | | | - R Shane Tubbs
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, St. George's University, Grenada.,Seattle Science Foundation, Seattle, Washington
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Wei A, Shen B, Williams LA, Bhargav D, Gulati T, Fang Z, Pathmanandavel S, Diwan AD. Expression of growth differentiation factor 6 in the human developing fetal spine retreats from vertebral ossifying regions and is restricted to cartilaginous tissues. J Orthop Res 2016; 34:279-89. [PMID: 26184900 DOI: 10.1002/jor.22983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2015] [Accepted: 07/14/2015] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
During embryogenesis vertebral segmentation is initiated by sclerotomal cell migration and condensation around the notochord, forming anlagen of vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs. The factors that govern the segmentation are not clear. Previous research demonstrated that mutations in growth differentiation factor 6 resulted in congenital vertebral fusion, suggesting this factor plays a role in development of vertebral column. In this study, we detected expression and localization of growth differentiation factor 6 in human fetal spinal column, especially in the period of early ossification of vertebrae and the developing intervertebral discs. The extracellular matrix proteins were also examined. Results showed that high levels of growth differentiation factor 6 were expressed in the nucleus pulposus of intervertebral discs and the hypertrophic chondrocytes adjacent to the ossification centre in vertebral bodies, where strong expression of proteoglycan and collagens was also detected. As fetal age increased, the expression of growth differentiation factor 6 was decreased correspondingly with the progress of ossification in vertebral bodies and restricted to cartilaginous regions. This expression pattern and the genetic link to vertebral fusion suggest that growth differentiation factor 6 may play an important role in suppression of ossification to ensure proper vertebral segmentation during spinal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aiqun Wei
- Department of Orthopedic Research, Orthopedic Research Institute, St George Hospital, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Bojiang Shen
- Department of Orthopedic Research, Orthopedic Research Institute, St George Hospital, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Lisa A Williams
- Department of Orthopedic Research, Orthopedic Research Institute, St George Hospital, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Divya Bhargav
- Department of Orthopedic Research, Orthopedic Research Institute, St George Hospital, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Twishi Gulati
- Department of Orthopedic Research, Orthopedic Research Institute, St George Hospital, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Zhimin Fang
- Human Molecular Genetics, St George Hospital, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Sarennya Pathmanandavel
- Department of Orthopedic Research, Orthopedic Research Institute, St George Hospital, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Ashish D Diwan
- Department of Orthopedic Research, Orthopedic Research Institute, St George Hospital, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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Cartilage derived morphogenetic protein 2 – A potential therapy for intervertebral disc regeneration? Biologicals 2014; 42:65-73. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biologicals.2013.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2013] [Revised: 12/13/2013] [Accepted: 12/19/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
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Gilchrist CL, Darling EM, Chen J, Setton LA. Extracellular matrix ligand and stiffness modulate immature nucleus pulposus cell-cell interactions. PLoS One 2011; 6:e27170. [PMID: 22087260 PMCID: PMC3210142 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0027170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2011] [Accepted: 10/11/2011] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The nucleus pulposus (NP) of the intervertebral disc functions to provide compressive load support in the spine, and contains cells that play a critical role in the generation and maintenance of this tissue. The NP cell population undergoes significant morphological and phenotypic changes during maturation and aging, transitioning from large, vacuolated immature cells arranged in cell clusters to a sparse population of smaller, isolated chondrocyte-like cells. These morphological and organizational changes appear to correlate with the first signs of degenerative changes within the intervertebral disc. The extracellular matrix of the immature NP is a soft, gelatinous material containing multiple laminin isoforms, features that are unique to the NP relative to other regions of the disc and that change with aging and degeneration. Based on this knowledge, we hypothesized that a soft, laminin-rich extracellular matrix environment would promote NP cell-cell interactions and phenotypes similar to those found in immature NP tissues. NP cells were isolated from porcine intervertebral discs and cultured in matrix environments of varying mechanical stiffness that were functionalized with various matrix ligands; cellular responses to periods of culture were assessed using quantitative measures of cell organization and phenotype. Results show that soft (<720 Pa), laminin-containing extracellular matrix substrates promote NP cell morphologies, cell-cell interactions, and proteoglycan production in vitro, and that this behavior is dependent upon both extracellular matrix ligand and substrate mechanical properties. These findings indicate that NP cell organization and phenotype may be highly sensitive to their surrounding extracellular matrix environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher L. Gilchrist
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Eric M. Darling
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Physiology, and Biotechnology, Center for Biomedical Engineering, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
- Department of Orthopaedics, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
- School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | - Jun Chen
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Lori A. Setton
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
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Gilchrist C, Francisco A, Plopper G, Chen J, Setton L. Nucleus pulposus cell-matrix interactions with laminins. Eur Cell Mater 2011; 21:523-32. [PMID: 21710443 PMCID: PMC3332080 DOI: 10.22203/ecm.v021a39] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The cells of the nucleus pulposus (NP) region of the intervertebral disc play a critical role in this tissue's generation and maintenance, and alterations in NP cell viability, metabolism, and phenotype with aging may be key contributors to progressive disc degeneration. Relatively little is understood about the phenotype of NP cells, including their cell-matrix interactions which may modulate phenotype and survival. Our previous work has identified strong and region-specific expression of laminins and laminin cell-surface receptors in immature NP tissues, suggesting laminin cell-matrix interactions are uniquely important to the biology of NP cells. Whether these observed tissue-level laminin expression patterns reflect functional adhesion behaviors for these cells is not known. In this study, we examined NP cell-matrix interactions with specific matrix ligands, including various laminin isoforms, using quantitative assays of cell attachment, spreading, and adhesion strength. NP cells were found to attach in higher numbers and exhibited rapid cell spreading and higher resistance to detachment force on two laminin isoforms (LM-511,LM-332) identified to be uniquely expressed in the NP region, as compared to another laminin isoform (LM-111) and several other matrix ligands (collagen, fibronectin). Additionally, NP cells were found to attach in higher numbers to laminins as compared to cells isolated from the disc's annulus fibrosus region. These findings confirm that laminin and laminin receptor expression documented in NP tissues translates into unique functional NP cell adhesion behaviors that may be useful tools for in vitro cell culture and biomaterials that support NP cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- C.L. Gilchrist
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - A.T. Francisco
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - G.E. Plopper
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA
| | - J. Chen
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - L.A. Setton
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA,Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA,Address for correspondence: Lori A. Setton, Department of Biomedical Engineering, 136 Hudson Hall, Box 90281, Durham, NC 27708, USA,
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Malikova MA, Van Stry M, Symes K. Apoptosis regulates notochord development in Xenopus. Dev Biol 2007; 311:434-48. [PMID: 17920580 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2007.08.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2007] [Revised: 08/22/2007] [Accepted: 08/27/2007] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The notochord is the defining characteristic of the chordate embryo and plays critical roles as a signaling center and as the primitive skeleton. In this study we show that early notochord development in Xenopus embryos is regulated by apoptosis. We find apoptotic cells in the notochord beginning at the neural groove stage and increasing in number as the embryo develops. These dying cells are distributed in an anterior to posterior pattern that is correlated with notochord extension through vacuolization. In axial mesoderm explants, inhibition of this apoptosis causes the length of the notochord to approximately double compared to controls. In embryos, however, inhibition of apoptosis decreases the length of the notochord and it is severely kinked. This kinking also spreads from the anterior with developmental stage such that, by the tadpole stage, the notochord lacks any recognizable structure, although notochord markers are expressed in a normal temporal pattern. Extension of the somites and neural plate mirrors that of the notochord in these embryos, and the somites are severely disorganized. These data indicate that apoptosis is required for normal notochord development during the formation of the anterior-posterior axis, and its role in this process is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina A Malikova
- Department of Biochemistry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
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Inui Y, Nishida K, Doita M, Takada T, Miyamoto H, Yoshiya S, Kurosaka M. Fas-ligand expression on nucleus pulposus begins in developing embryo. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2004; 29:2365-9. [PMID: 15507796 DOI: 10.1097/01.brs.0000143172.07771.fc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN The expression of Fas ligand in the notochord or nucleus pulposus was examined immunohistochemically using rat embryos. OBJECTIVE To clarify at which stage of embryo development the expression of Fas ligand begins in the nucleus pulposus. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA The nucleus pulposus has been reported to be an immune-privileged site. Immune-privileged characteristics in other tissues, such as the retina and testis, have been attributed to the local expression of Fas ligand, which acts by inducing apoptosis of invading Fas-positive T cells. The authors reported previously on the expression of Fas ligand in nucleus pulposus cells of mature rats and humans, which could play a key role in the potential molecular mechanism of maintaining immune privilege of the disc. However, it is unknown at which stage of the developing embryo Fas ligand expression begins in the nucleus pulposus. METHODS Female adult Sprague-Dawley rats were housed with males for one night and monitored the next morning for the appearance of a vaginal plug. Later, whole sequential embryos were dissected and fixed immediately. Immunohistochemical staining for Fas ligand was performed for sagittal sections of notochords or nucleus pulposus using standard procedures. The sections were observed using light microscopy. RESULTS In the 14.5-day-old embryo, the notochord appeared as a continuous structure with a uniform diameter, and there was no positive staining for Fas ligand. In the 16.5-day-old embryo, the notochord became compressed at the centers of the vertebral bodies and expanded in the presumptive nucleus pulposus areas. At this stage, some of the nucleus pulposus cells exhibited weak positive staining for Fas ligand. In the 18.5-day-old embryo, the nucleus pulposus enlarged in fusiform, and most of the nucleus pulposus cells exhibited intense positive staining for Fas ligand. CONCLUSIONS The present results demonstrated that Fas ligand expression is not detected in the notochord, but at the time of intervertebral disc formation, Fas ligand expression develops in the nucleus pulposus. These results indicate that the immune privilege of the intervertebral disc may begin in the very early stages of disc formation. Moreover, Fas ligand may play an important role in the formation of the intervertebral disc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshihiro Inui
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
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Zhu Y, McAlinden A, Sandell LJ. Type IIA procollagen in development of the human intervertebral disc: regulated expression of the NH(2)-propeptide by enzymic processing reveals a unique developmental pathway. Dev Dyn 2001; 220:350-62. [PMID: 11307168 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.1115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Type II collagen can be synthesized in two forms generated by alternative splicing of the precursor mRNA. Type IIA procollagen, which contains a cysteine-rich domain in the NH(2)-propeptide (exon 2), is produced by precartilage and noncartilage epithelial and mesenchymal cells, and type IIB procollagen, without the cysteine-rich domain, is characteristic of chondrocytes. Mice lacking type II collagen fail to develop intervertebral discs. We have previously shown that the human intervertebral disc and notochord synthesize primarily the type IIA form of procollagen. Therefore, we investigated the distribution of type IIA procollagen during early disc development in humans. By processes of radioactive in situ hybridization and fluorescence immunohistochemistry, we localized mRNA and protein of type IIA procollagen, type I collagen, and type III collagen in fetal intervertebral disc specimens ranging from day 42 (embryonic stage 17) to day 101 (week 14.5) of gestation. Antibodies to the three distinct domains of type IIA procollagen: the NH(2)-propeptide, the fibrillar domain, and the COOH-propeptide were used. The earliest stage of developing intervertebral disc (42 days, stage 17) was characterized by diffuse synthesis of types I and III collagens in the dense zone (intervertebral area) and synthesis of type IIA procollagen by the chondrocyte progenitor cells surrounding the disc. The notochord cells synthesized and deposited into the notochordal sheath all three fibrillar collagens. By 54 days (stage 22), the developing disc was clearly divided into three regions: 1.) the outer annulus, characterized by synthesis and deposition of types I and III collagens; 2.) the inner annulus, characterized by synthesis and deposition of type IIA collagen containing the NH(2)-propeptide but devoid of the COOH-propeptide (pN-procollagen); and 3.) the notochord, the cells of which synthesized and deposited of all three fibrillar collagens. In later stages of fetal development (72-101 days), a change in type IIA procollagen processing was observed in the cells of the inner annulus: even though these cells continued to synthesize type IIA procollagen, they deposited into the extracellular matrix (ECM) only the processed fibrillar domain, with the NH(2)-propeptide removed. This finding indicates that there is a developmentally regulated change in the processing of type IIA procollagen NH(2)-propeptide in the cells of the inner annulus. This mechanism is in contrast to previously shown developmental regulation of the cysteine-rich domain of the NH(2)-propeptide by alternative splicing of the precursor mRNA. Although the cells of the inner annulus have been identified as chondrocytes, based on their shape and synthesis of characteristic ECM components, they appear to represent a distinct developmental pathway characterized by their synthesis and differential processing of type IIA procollagen. This developmental pattern may prove important for disc regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Zhu
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA
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Aszódi A, Chan D, Hunziker E, Bateman JF, Fässler R. Collagen II is essential for the removal of the notochord and the formation of intervertebral discs. J Biophys Biochem Cytol 1998; 143:1399-412. [PMID: 9832566 PMCID: PMC2133086 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.143.5.1399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 169] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Collagen II is a fibril-forming collagen that is mainly expressed in cartilage. Collagen II-deficient mice produce structurally abnormal cartilage that lacks growth plates in long bones, and as a result these mice develop a skeleton without endochondral bone formation. Here, we report that Col2a1-null mice are unable to dismantle the notochord. This defect is associated with the inability to develop intervertebral discs (IVDs). During normal embryogenesis, the nucleus pulposus of future IVDs forms from regional expansion of the notochord, which is simultaneously dismantled in the region of the developing vertebral bodies. However, in Col2a1-null mice, the notochord is not removed in the vertebral bodies and persists as a rod-like structure until birth. It has been suggested that this regional notochordal degeneration results from changes in cell death and proliferation. Our experiments with wild-type mice showed that differential proliferation and apoptosis play no role in notochordal reorganization. An alternative hypothesis is that the cartilage matrix exerts mechanical forces that induce notochord removal. Several of our findings support this hypothesis. Immunohistological analyses, in situ hybridization, and biochemical analyses demonstrate that collagens I and III are ectopically expressed in Col2a1-null cartilage. Assembly of the abnormal collagens into a mature insoluble matrix is retarded and collagen fibrils are sparse, disorganized, and irregular. We propose that this disorganized abnormal cartilage collagen matrix is structurally weakened and is unable to constrain proteoglycan-induced osmotic swelling pressure. The accumulation of fluid leads to tissue enlargement and a reduction in the internal swelling pressure. These changes may be responsible for the abnormal notochord removal in Col2a1-null mice. Our studies also show that chondrocytes do not need a collagen II environment to express cartilage-specific matrix components and to hypertrophy. Furthermore, biochemical analysis of collagen XI in mutant cartilage showed that alpha1(XI) and alpha2 (XI) chains form unstable collagen XI molecules, demonstrating that the alpha3(XI) chain, which is an alternative, posttranslationally modified form of the Col2a1 gene, is essential for assembly and stability of triple helical collagen XI.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Aszódi
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Lund University, 22185 Lund, Sweden
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Mirza SK, White AA. Anatomy of intervertebral disc and pathophysiology of herniated disc disease. JOURNAL OF CLINICAL LASER MEDICINE & SURGERY 1995; 13:131-42. [PMID: 10150636 DOI: 10.1089/clm.1995.13.131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
This discussion reviews developments in normal and abnormal disc biology over the past decade. The anatomic and biochemical structure of the disc is reviewed. Emphasis is placed on recent neurochemical changes identified in disc degeneration and disc herniation. Biomechanical considerations for the normal disc are presented. Influence of mechanical factors on disc nutrition, disc degeneration and disc herniation is reviewed. Biologic events underlying the diagnostic methods used in evaluating disorders of the intervertebral disc are presented. The biologic consequences of iatrogenic disc injury in discectomy are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- S K Mirza
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Hospital, Boston, MA 02215, USA
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