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Li Y, Zhang H, Zhu D, Yang F, Wang Z, Wei Z, Yang Z, Jia J, Kang X. Notochordal cells: A potential therapeutic option for intervertebral disc degeneration. Cell Prolif 2024; 57:e13541. [PMID: 37697480 PMCID: PMC10849793 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.13541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is a prevalent musculoskeletal degenerative disorder worldwide, and ~40% of chronic low back pain cases are associated with IDD. Although the pathogenesis of IDD remains unclear, the reduction in nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) and degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) are critical factors contributing to IDD. Notochordal cells (NCs), derived from the notochord, which rapidly degrades after birth and is eventually replaced by NPCs, play a crucial role in maintaining ECM homeostasis and preventing NPCs apoptosis. Current treatments for IDD only provide symptomatic relief, while lacking the ability to inhibit or reverse its progression. However, NCs and their secretions possess anti-inflammatory properties and promote NPCs proliferation, leading to ECM formation. Therefore, in recent years, NCs therapy targeting the underlying cause of IDD has emerged as a novel treatment strategy. This article provides a comprehensive review of the latest research progress on NCs for IDD, covering their biological characteristics, specific markers, possible mechanisms involved in IDD and therapeutic effects. It also highlights significant future directions in this field to facilitate further exploration of the pathogenesis of IDD and the development of new therapies based on NCs strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanhu Li
- Lanzhou University Second HospitalLanzhouPeople's Republic of China
- Orthopaedics Key Laboratory of Gansu ProvinceLanzhouPeople's Republic of China
| | - Haijun Zhang
- Lanzhou University Second HospitalLanzhouPeople's Republic of China
- Orthopaedics Key Laboratory of Gansu ProvinceLanzhouPeople's Republic of China
- The Second People's Hospital of Gansu ProvinceLanzhouPeople's Republic of China
| | - Daxue Zhu
- Lanzhou University Second HospitalLanzhouPeople's Republic of China
- Orthopaedics Key Laboratory of Gansu ProvinceLanzhouPeople's Republic of China
| | - Fengguang Yang
- Lanzhou University Second HospitalLanzhouPeople's Republic of China
- Orthopaedics Key Laboratory of Gansu ProvinceLanzhouPeople's Republic of China
| | - Zhaoheng Wang
- Lanzhou University Second HospitalLanzhouPeople's Republic of China
- Orthopaedics Key Laboratory of Gansu ProvinceLanzhouPeople's Republic of China
| | - Ziyan Wei
- Lanzhou University Second HospitalLanzhouPeople's Republic of China
- Orthopaedics Key Laboratory of Gansu ProvinceLanzhouPeople's Republic of China
| | - Zhili Yang
- Lanzhou University Second HospitalLanzhouPeople's Republic of China
- Orthopaedics Key Laboratory of Gansu ProvinceLanzhouPeople's Republic of China
| | - Jingwen Jia
- Lanzhou University Second HospitalLanzhouPeople's Republic of China
- Orthopaedics Key Laboratory of Gansu ProvinceLanzhouPeople's Republic of China
| | - Xuewen Kang
- Lanzhou University Second HospitalLanzhouPeople's Republic of China
- Orthopaedics Key Laboratory of Gansu ProvinceLanzhouPeople's Republic of China
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Mohd Isa IL, Mokhtar SA, Abbah SA, Fauzi MB, Devitt A, Pandit A. Intervertebral Disc Degeneration: Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Strategies toward Precision Medicine. Adv Healthc Mater 2022; 11:e2102530. [PMID: 35373924 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202102530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [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: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Intervertebral disc degeneration is a common cause of discogenic low back pain resulting in significant disability. Current conservative or surgical intervention treatments do not reverse the underlying disc degeneration or regenerate the disc. Biomaterial-based tissue engineering strategies exhibit the potential to regenerate the disc due to their capacity to modulate local tissue responses, maintain the disc phenotype, attain biochemical homeostasis, promote anatomical tissue repair, and provide functional mechanical support. Despite preliminary positive results in preclinical models, these approaches have limited success in clinical trials as they fail to address discogenic pain. This review gives insights into the understanding of intervertebral disc pathology, the emerging concept of precision medicine, and the rationale of personalized biomaterial-based tissue engineering tailored to the severity of the disease targeting early, mild, or severe degeneration, thereby enhancing the efficacy of the treatment for disc regeneration and ultimately to alleviate discogenic pain. Further research is required to assess the relationship between disc degeneration and lower back pain for developing future clinically relevant therapeutic interventions targeted towards the subgroup of degenerative disc disease patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isma Liza Mohd Isa
- Department of Anatomy Faculty of Medicine Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Kuala Lumpur 56000 Malaysia
- CÚRAM SFI Research Centre for Medical Devices National University of Ireland Galway H91W2TY Ireland
| | - Sabarul Afian Mokhtar
- Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology Faculty of Medicine Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Kuala Lumpur 56000 Malaysia
| | - Sunny A. Abbah
- CÚRAM SFI Research Centre for Medical Devices National University of Ireland Galway H91W2TY Ireland
| | - Mh Busra Fauzi
- Centre for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Faculty of Medicine Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Kuala Lumpur 56000 Malaysia
| | - Aiden Devitt
- CÚRAM SFI Research Centre for Medical Devices National University of Ireland Galway H91W2TY Ireland
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery University Hospital Galway Galway H91YR71 Ireland
| | - Abhay Pandit
- CÚRAM SFI Research Centre for Medical Devices National University of Ireland Galway H91W2TY Ireland
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Wang C, Guo S, Gu Q, Wang X, Long L, Xiao C, Xie M, Shen H, Li S. Exosomes: A promising therapeutic strategy for intervertebral disc degeneration. Exp Gerontol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2022.111806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Bach FC, Poramba-Liyanage DW, Riemers FM, Guicheux J, Camus A, Iatridis JC, Chan D, Ito K, Le Maitre CL, Tryfonidou MA. Notochordal Cell-Based Treatment Strategies and Their Potential in Intervertebral Disc Regeneration. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 9:780749. [PMID: 35359916 PMCID: PMC8963872 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.780749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic low back pain is the number one cause of years lived with disability. In about 40% of patients, chronic lower back pain is related to intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration. The standard-of-care focuses on symptomatic relief, while surgery is the last resort. Emerging therapeutic strategies target the underlying cause of IVD degeneration and increasingly focus on the relatively overlooked notochordal cells (NCs). NCs are derived from the notochord and once the notochord regresses they remain in the core of the developing IVD, the nucleus pulposus. The large vacuolated NCs rapidly decline after birth and are replaced by the smaller nucleus pulposus cells with maturation, ageing, and degeneration. Here, we provide an update on the journey of NCs and discuss the cell markers and tools that can be used to study their fate and regenerative capacity. We review the therapeutic potential of NCs for the treatment of IVD-related lower back pain and outline important future directions in this area. Promising studies indicate that NCs and their secretome exerts regenerative effects, via increased proliferation, extracellular matrix production, and anti-inflammatory effects. Reports on NC-like cells derived from embryonic- or induced pluripotent-stem cells claim to have successfully generated NC-like cells but did not compare them with native NCs for phenotypic markers or in terms of their regenerative capacity. Altogether, this is an emerging and active field of research with exciting possibilities. NC-based studies demonstrate that cues from developmental biology can pave the path for future clinical therapies focused on regenerating the diseased IVD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frances C. Bach
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | | | - Frank M. Riemers
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Jerome Guicheux
- UMR 1229-RMeS, Regenerative Medicine and Skeleton, Université de Nantes, ONIRIS, Nantes, France
- UFR Odontologie, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
- PHU4 OTONN, CHU Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Anne Camus
- UMR 1229-RMeS, Regenerative Medicine and Skeleton, Université de Nantes, ONIRIS, Nantes, France
| | - James C. Iatridis
- Leni and Peter W. May Department of Orthopaedics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Danny Chan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Keita Ito
- Orthopaedic Biomechanics, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
- Department of Orthopedics, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Christine L. Le Maitre
- Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Marianna A. Tryfonidou
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
- *Correspondence: Marianna A. Tryfonidou,
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Sun Z, Liu B, Liu ZH, Song W, Wang D, Chen BY, Fan J, Xu Z, Geng D, Luo ZJ. Notochordal-Cell-Derived Exosomes Induced by Compressive Load Inhibit Angiogenesis via the miR-140-5p/Wnt/β-Catenin Axis. Mol Ther Nucleic Acids 2020; 22:1092-106. [PMID: 33294295 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2020.10.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Angiogenesis is a pathological signature of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). Accumulating evidence has shown that notochordal cells (NCs) play an essential role in maintaining intervertebral disc development and homeostasis with inhibitive effect on blood vessel in-growth. However, the anti-angiogenesis mechanism of NCs is still unclear. In the current study, we, for the first time, isolated NC-derived exosomes (NC-exos) and showed their increased concentration following compressive load cultures. We further found that NC-exos from 0.5 MPa compressive load cultures (0.5 MPa/NC-exos) inhibit angiogenesis via transferring high expressed microRNA (miR)-140-5p to endothelial cells and regulating the downstream Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Clinical evidence showed that exosomal miR-140-5p expression of the nucleus pulposus is negatively correlated with angiogenesis in IDD. Finally, 0.5 MPa/NC-exos were demonstrated to have a therapeutical impact on the degenerated disc with an anti-angiogenesis effect in an IDD model. Consequently, our present findings provide insights into the anti-angiogenesis mechanism of NC-exos, indicating their therapeutic potential for IDD.
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Schmitz TC, Salzer E, Crispim JF, Fabra GT, LeVisage C, Pandit A, Tryfonidou M, Maitre CL, Ito K. Characterization of biomaterials intended for use in the nucleus pulposus of degenerated intervertebral discs. Acta Biomater 2020; 114:1-15. [PMID: 32771592 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2020.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [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: 04/27/2020] [Revised: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Biomaterials for regeneration of the intervertebral disc must meet complex requirements conforming to biological, mechanical and clinical demands. Currently no consensus on their characterization exists. It is crucial to identify parameters and their method of characterization for accurate assessment of their potential efficacy, keeping in mind the translation towards clinical application. This review systematically analyses the characterization techniques of biomaterial systems that have been used for nucleus pulposus (NP) restoration and regeneration. Substantial differences in the approach towards assessment became evident, hindering comparisons between different materials with respect to their suitability for NP restoration and regeneration. We have analysed the current approaches and identified parameters necessary for adequate biomaterial characterization, with the clinical goal of functional restoration and biological regeneration of the NP in mind. Further, we provide guidelines and goals for their measurement. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Biomaterials intended for restoration of regeneration of the nucleus pulposus within the intervertebral disc must meet biological, biomechanical and clinical demands. Many materials have been investigated, but a lack of consensus on which parameters to evaluate leads to difficulties in comparing materials as well as mostly partial characterization of the materials in question. A gap between current methodology and clinically relevant and meaningful characterization is prevalent. In this article, we identify necessary methods and their implementation for complete biomaterial characterization in the context of clinical applicability. This will allow for a more unified approach to NP-biomaterials research within the field as a whole and enable comparative analysis of novel materials yet to be developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tara C Schmitz
- Orthopaedic Biomechanics, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, Netherlands.
| | - Elias Salzer
- Orthopaedic Biomechanics, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, Netherlands.
| | - João F Crispim
- Orthopaedic Biomechanics, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, Netherlands.
| | - Georgina Targa Fabra
- Centre for Research in Medical Devices (CÚRAM), National University of Ireland Galway, 7WQJ+8F Galway, Ireland.
| | - Catherine LeVisage
- Université de Nantes, INSERM UMR 1229, Regenerative Medicine and Skeleton, RMeS School of Dental Surgery, University of Nantes, 1 Place Ricordeau, 44300 Nantes, France.
| | - Abhay Pandit
- Centre for Research in Medical Devices (CÚRAM), National University of Ireland Galway, 7WQJ+8F Galway, Ireland.
| | - Marianna Tryfonidou
- Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL Utrecht, Netherlands.
| | - Christine Le Maitre
- Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre Sheffield Hallam University, City Campus, Howard Street, S1 1WB Sheffield, United Kingdom.
| | - Keita Ito
- Orthopaedic Biomechanics, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, Netherlands.
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Lin D, Alberton P, Delgado Caceres M, Prein C, Clausen‐Schaumann H, Dong J, Aszodi A, Shukunami C, Iatridis JC, Docheva D. Loss of tenomodulin expression is a risk factor for age-related intervertebral disc degeneration. Aging Cell 2020; 19:e13091. [PMID: 32083813 PMCID: PMC7059137 DOI: 10.1111/acel.13091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is thought to be closely related to ingrowth of new blood vessels. However, the impact of anti-angiogenic factors in the maintenance of IVD avascularity remains unknown. Tenomodulin (Tnmd) is a tendon/ligament-specific marker and anti-angiogenic factor with abundant expression in the IVD. It is still unclear whether Tnmd contributes to the maintenance of IVD homeostasis, acting to inhibit vascular ingrowth into this normally avascular tissue. Herein, we investigated whether IVD degeneration could be induced spontaneously by the absence of Tnmd. Our results showed that Tnmd was expressed in an age-dependent manner primarily in the outer annulus fibrous (OAF) and it was downregulated at 6 months of age corresponding to the early IVD degeneration stage in mice. Tnmd knockout (Tnmd-/- ) mice exhibited more rapid progression of age-related IVD degeneration. These signs include smaller collagen fibril diameter, markedly lower compressive stiffness, reduced multiple IVD- and tendon/ligament-related gene expression, induced angiogenesis, and macrophage infiltration in OAF, as well as more hypertrophic-like chondrocytes in the nucleus pulposus. In addition, Tnmd and chondromodulin I (Chm1, the only homologous gene to Tnmd) double knockout (Tnmd-/- Chm1-/- ) mice displayed not only accelerated IVD degeneration, but also ectopic bone formation of IVD. Lastly, the absence of Tnmd in OAF-derived cells promoted p65 and matrix metalloproteinases upregulation, and increased migratory capacity of human umbilical vein endothelial cells. In sum, our data provide clear evidences that Tnmd acts as an angiogenic inhibitor in the IVD homeostasis and protects against age-related IVD degeneration. Targeting Tnmd may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for attenuating age-related IVD degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dasheng Lin
- Experimental Surgery and Regenerative MedicineClinic for General, Trauma and Reconstructive SurgeryLudwig‐Maximilians‐University (LMU)MunichGermany
- Orthopaedic Center of People’s Liberation ArmyThe Affiliated Southeast Hospital of Xiamen UniversityZhangzhouChina
| | - Paolo Alberton
- Experimental Surgery and Regenerative MedicineClinic for General, Trauma and Reconstructive SurgeryLudwig‐Maximilians‐University (LMU)MunichGermany
| | - Manuel Delgado Caceres
- Experimental Trauma SurgeryDepartment of Trauma SurgeryUniversity Regensburg Medical CentreRegensburgGermany
| | - Carina Prein
- Center for Applied Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (CANTER)Munich University of Applied Sciences and Center for Nanoscience (CeNS)MunichGermany
| | - Hauke Clausen‐Schaumann
- Center for Applied Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (CANTER)Munich University of Applied Sciences and Center for Nanoscience (CeNS)MunichGermany
| | - Jian Dong
- Department of Orthopaedic SurgeryZhongshan HospitalFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Attila Aszodi
- Experimental Surgery and Regenerative MedicineClinic for General, Trauma and Reconstructive SurgeryLudwig‐Maximilians‐University (LMU)MunichGermany
| | - Chisa Shukunami
- Department of Molecular Biology and BiochemistryGraduate School of Biomedical & Health SciencesHiroshima UniversityHiroshimaJapan
| | - James C Iatridis
- Leni and Peter W. May Department of OrthopaedicsIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNYUSA
| | - Denitsa Docheva
- Experimental Trauma SurgeryDepartment of Trauma SurgeryUniversity Regensburg Medical CentreRegensburgGermany
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Sun Z, Liu B, Luo ZJ. The Immune Privilege of the Intervertebral Disc: Implications for Intervertebral Disc Degeneration Treatment. Int J Med Sci 2020; 17:685-692. [PMID: 32210719 PMCID: PMC7085207 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.42238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The intervertebral disc (IVD) is the largest avascular organ of the body. It is composed of three parts: the nucleus pulposus (NP), the annulus fibrosus (AF) and the cartilaginous endplate (CEP). The central NP is surrounded by the AF and sandwiched by the two CEPs ever since its formation. This unique structure isolates the NP from the immune system of the host. Additionally, molecular factors expressed in IVD have been shown inhibitive effect on immune cells and cytokines infiltration. Therefore, the IVD has been identified as an immune privilege organ. The steady state of immune privilege is fundamental to the homeostasis of the IVD. The AF and the CEP, along with the immunosuppressive molecular factors are defined as the blood-NP barrier (BNB), which establishes a strong barrier to isolate the NP from the host immune system. When the BNB is damaged, the auto-immune response of the NP occurs with various downstream cascade reactions. This effect plays an important role in the whole process of IVD degeneration and related complications, such as herniation, sciatica and spontaneous herniated NP regression. Taken together, an enhanced understanding of the immune privilege of the IVD could provide new targets for the treatment of symptomatic IVD disease. However, the underlying mechanism above is still not fully clarified. Accordingly, the current study will extensively review and discuss studies regarding the immune privilege of the IVD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Sun
- Department of Orthopedic, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University. Western Changle Road, Xi'an, 710032, Shannxi Provence, P. R. China
| | - Bing Liu
- Department of Radiology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University. Western Changle Road, Xi'an, 710032, Shannxi Provence, P. R. China
| | - Zhuo-Jing Luo
- Department of Orthopedic, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University. Western Changle Road, Xi'an, 710032, Shannxi Provence, P. R. China
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