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Ye X, Gaucher JF, Vidal M, Broussy S. A Structural Overview of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors Pharmacological Ligands: From Macromolecules to Designed Peptidomimetics. Molecules 2021; 26:6759. [PMID: 34833851 PMCID: PMC8625919 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26226759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family of cytokines plays a key role in vasculogenesis, angiogenesis, and lymphangiogenesis. VEGF-A is the main member of this family, alongside placental growth factor (PlGF), VEGF-B/C/D in mammals, and VEGF-E/F in other organisms. To study the activities of these growth factors under physiological and pathological conditions, resulting in therapeutic applications in cancer and age-related macular degeneration, blocking ligands have been developed. These have mostly been large biomolecules like antibodies. Ligands with high affinities, at least in the nanomolar range, and accurate structural data from X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy have been described. They constitute the main focus of this overview, which evidences similarities and differences in their binding modes. For VEGF-A ligands, and to a limited extent also for PlGF, a transition is now observed towards developing smaller ligands like nanobodies and peptides. These include unnatural amino acids and chemical modifications for designed and improved properties, such as serum stability and greater affinity. However, this review also highlights the scarcity of such small molecular entities and the striking lack of small organic molecule ligands. It also shows the gap between the rather large array of ligands targeting VEGF-A and the general absence of ligands binding other VEGF members, besides some antibodies. Future developments in these directions are expected in the upcoming years, and the study of these growth factors and their promising therapeutic applications will be welcomed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqing Ye
- Faculté de Pharmacie de Paris, Université de Paris, CiTCoM, 8038 CNRS, U 1268 INSERM, 75006 Paris, France; (X.Y.); (M.V.)
| | - Jean-François Gaucher
- Laboratoire de Cristallographie et RMN Biologiques, Faculté de Pharmacie de Paris, Université de Paris, CiTCoM, 8038 CNRS, 75006 Paris, France;
| | - Michel Vidal
- Faculté de Pharmacie de Paris, Université de Paris, CiTCoM, 8038 CNRS, U 1268 INSERM, 75006 Paris, France; (X.Y.); (M.V.)
- Service Biologie du Médicament, Toxicologie, AP-HP, Hôpital Cochin, 75014 Paris, France
| | - Sylvain Broussy
- Faculté de Pharmacie de Paris, Université de Paris, CiTCoM, 8038 CNRS, U 1268 INSERM, 75006 Paris, France; (X.Y.); (M.V.)
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2
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Arezumand R, Alibakhshi A, Ranjbari J, Ramazani A, Muyldermans S. Nanobodies As Novel Agents for Targeting Angiogenesis in Solid Cancers. Front Immunol 2017; 8:1746. [PMID: 29276515 PMCID: PMC5727022 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2017] [Accepted: 11/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Solid cancers are dependent on angiogenesis for sustenance. The FDA approval of Bevacizumab in 2004 inspired many scientists to develop more inhibitors of angiogenesis. Although several monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are being administered to successfully combat various pathologies, the complexity and large size of mAbs seem to narrow the therapeutic applications. To improve the performance of cancer therapeutics, including those blocking tumor angiogenesis, attractive strategies such as miniaturization of the antibodies have been introduced. Nanobodies (Nbs), small single-domain antigen-binding antibody fragments, are becoming promising therapeutic and diagnostic proteins in oncology due to their favorable unique structural and functional properties. This review focuses on the potential and state of the art of Nbs to inhibit the angiogenic process for therapy and the use of labeled Nbs for non-invasive in vivo imaging of the tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roghaye Arezumand
- Department of Biotechnology and Molecular Science, School of Medicine, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnourd, Iran
| | - Abbas Alibakhshi
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Javad Ranjbari
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Ramazani
- Cancer Gene Therapy Research Center, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Serge Muyldermans
- Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
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3
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Arezumand R, Mahdian R, Zeinali S, Hassanzadeh-Ghassabeh G, Mansouri K, Khanahmad H, Namvar-Asl N, Rahimi H, Behdani M, Cohan RA, Eavazalipour M, Ramazani A, Muyldermans S. Identification and characterization of a novel nanobody against human placental growth factor to modulate angiogenesis. Mol Immunol 2016; 78:183-192. [PMID: 27648860 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2016.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2016] [Revised: 09/06/2016] [Accepted: 09/10/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Placental growth factor (PlGF), a member of vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) family, is considered as an important antigen associated with pathological conditions such as cancer cell growth, and metastasis. PlGF-targeting via nanobody (Nb) therefore could be beneficial to modulate these pathologies. In this work, phage-display and computational approach was employed to develop a high affinity PlGF-specific Nb. An Nb library was constructed against human recombinant PlGF (rPlGF). After panning on immobilized rPlGF the periplasmic-extract (PE) of individual colonies were screened by ELISA (PE-ELISA). The 3D structures of selected Nbs were then homology modeled and energy minimized using the AMBER force field. Binding score calculations were also assessed to reveal possible Nb-PlGF interactions. Via ELISA-based affinity/specificity determinations, the best-qualified Nb was further evaluated by proliferation, migration, 3D capillary formation, invasion assays and on Chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model. An immune library of 1.5×107 individual Nb clones was constructed. By PE-ELISA 12 clones with strong signals were selected. Three out of 12 sequenced Nbs (Nb-C13, Nb-C18 and Nb-C62) showed high binding scores ranging between -378.7 and -461kcal/mol. Compared to a control Nb, Nb-C18 significantly inhibited proliferation, migration and the 3D-capillary formation of HUVEC cells (p<0.05) with an EC50 of 35nM, 42nM and 24nM and invasion of MDA-MB231was significantly suppressed (p<0.05) with an EC50 of57nM. The result of the CAM assay shows that Nb-C18 could inhibit the vascular formation in the chicken chorioallantoic membrane. This Nb can be used as anti-angiogenesis agent in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roghaye Arezumand
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Molecular Science, School of Medicine, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran; Department of Molecular Medicine, Pasture Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Mahdian
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Pasture Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sirous Zeinali
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Pasture Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Gholamreza Hassanzadeh-Ghassabeh
- Vrije University Brussel, Research group Cellular & Molecular Immunology, Brussels, Belgium; VIB, Nanobody Service Facility, Vrije University Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Kamran Mansouri
- Medical Biology Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Hossein Khanahmad
- Department of Molecular Biology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Nabiollah Namvar-Asl
- Laboratory of Animal Sciences, Production and Research Complex for Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamzeh Rahimi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Pasture Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahdi Behdani
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Pasture Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Ahangari Cohan
- Department of Pilot Nanobiotechnology, New Technologies Research Group, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Eavazalipour
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Ali Ramazani
- Cancer Gene Therapy Research Center, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Serge Muyldermans
- Vrije University Brussel, Research group Cellular & Molecular Immunology, Brussels, Belgium; VIB, Department of Structural Biology, Vrije University Brussel, Belgium
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4
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Abstract
Antibody therapeutics are a promising drug class due to their high specificity and favorable pharmacokinetics. While there are many methods for the development of antibodies specific to disease associated antigens, selecting antibodies against functional epitopes with high specificity and affinity can be difficult for certain epitopes. We describe a generalizable method for synthesizing antibody mimetics by site specifically conjugating small molecules (with high affinity and specificity to disease associated antigens) to an Fc fragment to develop drugs with the benefits of an antibody. As a proof of concept, an E269pAcPhe Fc antibody Fc fragment was produced and subsequently site-specifically labeled with a linker-modified folic acid compound to generate an Fc-folic acid antibody-mimetic. This was chosen as the model system because the high-affinity folate receptor FR-α is highly expressed in a number of cancer types including breast and ovarian cancer. The specificity of the Fc-folic acid conjugate was assessed via flowcytometry with the folate-receptor positive breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 by measuring Fc-folic acid binding in both the absence and presence of an excess of folic acid. Fc-small molecule conjugates could be developed into a unique class of antibody-like therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik D Wold
- Department of Chemistry and the Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology, ‡Department of Chemical Physiology, and §Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, The Scripps Research Institute , 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Jun Y Axup
- Department of Chemistry and the Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology, ‡Department of Chemical Physiology, and §Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, The Scripps Research Institute , 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Brunhilde H Felding
- Department of Chemistry and the Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology, ‡Department of Chemical Physiology, and §Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, The Scripps Research Institute , 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Vaughn V Smider
- Department of Chemistry and the Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology, ‡Department of Chemical Physiology, and §Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, The Scripps Research Institute , 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
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5
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Arezumand R, Behdani M, Mahdian R, Khanahmad H, Langari J, Cohan RA, Gholizadeh M, Zeinali S. Camel Heavy Chain Polyclonal Antibody Raised Against Recombinant Murine Placental Growth Factor Expressed in Escherichia coli. Monoclon Antib Immunodiagn Immunother 2015; 34:126-30. [DOI: 10.1089/mab.2014.0051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Roghaye Arezumand
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahdi Behdani
- Venom & Biotherapeutics Molecules Laboratory, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Mahdian
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Khanahmad
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Isfahan University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
| | - Jahangir Langari
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Ahangari Cohan
- Department of Rabies, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Monireh Gholizadeh
- Venom & Biotherapeutics Molecules Laboratory, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sirous Zeinali
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
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Santoso B, Murray BW. Maleimide-based method for elaboration of cysteine-containing peptide phage libraries. Methods Mol Biol 2015; 1248:267-76. [PMID: 25616339 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-2020-4_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Peptide-based molecules are known to have therapeutic utility, but the generation of phage-focused libraries to optimize peptide properties and functionality is challenging. Genetic approaches are limited to peptide extension on the peptide termini. Current chemical methods are technically challenging and time-consuming. A new chemical method is developed to extend a maleimide-conjugated peptide with a cysteine-containing random peptide phage display library. As a proof of concept, a 15-mer epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-binding peptide was synthesized with a maleimide group at its C-terminus and then conjugated to the cysteine-containing library. After panning and screening, several extended peptides were discovered and tested to have a higher affinity to EGFR. This strategy can have broad utility to optimize pharmacophores of any modalities (peptides, unnatural peptides, drug conjugates) capable of bearing a maleimide group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Buyung Santoso
- Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, 10646 Science Center Dr, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA
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7
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Rader C. Chemically programmed antibodies. Trends Biotechnol 2014; 32:186-97. [PMID: 24630478 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2014.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2013] [Revised: 01/13/2014] [Accepted: 02/07/2014] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Due to their unlimited chemical diversity, small molecules can rival monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) with respect to specificity and affinity for target molecules. However, key pharmacological properties of mAbs remain unmatched by small molecules. Chemical programming strategies have been developed for site-specific and covalent conjugation of small molecules to mAbs with unique reactivity centers. In addition to blending favorable features of small molecules and mAbs, chemically programmed antibodies (cpAbs) are economically attractive because they utilize the same mAb for an almost unlimited number of target molecule specificities, reducing manufacturing costs and shortening drug discovery and development time. Preclinical studies and clinical trials have begun to demonstrate the broad utility of cpAbs for the treatment and prevention of human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Rader
- Department of Cancer Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, Scripps Florida, 130 Scripps Way #2C1, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA; Department of Molecular Therapeutics, The Scripps Research Institute, Scripps Florida, 130 Scripps Way #2C1, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA.
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8
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A simple and efficient maleimide-based approach for peptide extension with a cysteine-containing peptide phage library. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2013; 23:5680-3. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2013.08.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2013] [Revised: 08/02/2013] [Accepted: 08/05/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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9
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Development of a long acting human growth hormone analog suitable for once a week dosing. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2013; 23:402-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2012.11.104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2012] [Revised: 11/21/2012] [Accepted: 11/26/2012] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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10
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Palanki MSS, Bhat A, Lappe RW, Liu B, Oates B, Rizzo J, Stankovic N, Bradshaw C. Development of novel linkers to conjugate pharmacophores to a carrier antibody. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2012; 22:4249-53. [PMID: 22664129 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2012.05.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2012] [Accepted: 05/08/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
We have developed modified maleimide novel linkers with improved chemical stability that could potentially be used in conjugating various pharmacophores such as oligo nucleotides, peptides, and proteins to antibodies to afford novel biologics with well-defined therapeutic benefits and improved pharmacokinetic properties. These linkers expand the array of tools available for bioconjugation of pharmacophores to antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moorthy S S Palanki
- CovX Research, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, 9381 Judicial Drive, Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92121, USA.
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Lugovskoy AA, Reichert JM, Beck A. 7th annual European Antibody Congress 2011: November 29-December 1, 2011, Geneva, Switzerland. MAbs 2012; 4:134-52. [PMID: 22453093 DOI: 10.4161/mabs.4.2.19426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The 7th European Antibody Congress (EAC), organized by Terrapin Ltd., was again held in Geneva, Switzerland, following on the tradition established with the 4th EAC. The 2011 version of the EAC was attended by nearly 250 delegates who learned of the latest advances and trends in the global development of antibody-based therapeutics. The first day focused on advances in understanding structure-function relationships, choosing the best format, glycoengineering biobetter antibodies, improving the efficacy and drugability of mAbs and epitope mapping. On the second day, the discovery of novel targets for mAb therapy, clinical pipeline updates, use of antibody combinations to address resistance, generation and identification of mAbs against new targets and biosimilar mAb development were discussed. Antibody-drug conjugates, domain antibodies and new scaffolds and bispecific antibodies were the topics of the third day. In total, nearly 50 speakers provided updates of programs related to antibody research and development on-going in the academic, government and commercial sectors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Alain Beck
- Centre d'Immunologie Pierre Fabre; Saint-Julien en Genevois, France
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12
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Antitumor efficacy of a thrombospondin 1 mimetic CovX-body. Transl Oncol 2011; 4:249-57. [PMID: 21804921 DOI: 10.1593/tlo.11136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2011] [Revised: 05/10/2011] [Accepted: 05/11/2011] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
CVX-045 is produced by covalently attaching a thrombospondin 1 (TSP-1) mimetic comprising a peptidic sequence and a linker to the Fab binding site of a proprietary scaffold antibody. CVX-045 possesses the potency of the TSP-1-derived peptide, along with the advantageous pharmacokinetics of an antibody. Antitumor activity of CVX-045 was evaluated in human xenograft models alone and in combination with standard chemotherapies and targeted molecules. In A549 and A431 xenograft models, CVX-045 demonstrated significant (P < .05) antiangiogenic activity, reducing tumor microvessel density and increasing the levels of necrosis within treated tumors. In an HT-29 xenograft model, CVX-045 in combination with 5-fluorouracil significantly (P < .01) decreased tumor growth rate compared with vehicle, CVX-045, or 5-fluorouracil alone. Cotreatment of CVX-045 plus CPT-11 delayed progression of tumor growth from day 28 to 60. In contrast CVX-045 alone treatment did not delay the progression of tumor growth, and CPT-11 alone delayed progression of tumor growth to day 39. Cotreatment of CVX-045 with sunitinib extended the time to reach tumor load from day 26 to 40. In summary, CVX-045 exhibits significant antiangiogenic activity in several tumor models and enhances antitumor activity in combination with chemotherapy or targeted therapies. These data suggest future avenues for effective combination therapy in treating solid tumors. CVX-045 has recently completed a phase 1 trial in solid tumors where it has been well tolerated.
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