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Voulgareli I, Semitekolou M, Morianos I, Blizou M, Sfika M, Hillas G, Bakakos P, Loukides S. Endotyping Eosinophilic Inflammation in COPD with ELAVL1, ZfP36 and HNRNPD mRNA Genes. J Clin Med 2024; 13:854. [PMID: 38337546 PMCID: PMC10856681 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13030854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common disease characterized by progressive airflow obstruction, influenced by genetic and environmental factors. Eosinophils have been implicated in COPD pathogenesis, prompting the categorization into eosinophilic and non-eosinophilic endotypes. This study explores the association between eosinophilic inflammation and mRNA expression of ELAVL1, ZfP36, and HNRNPD genes, which encode HuR, TTP and AUF-1 proteins, respectively. Additionally, it investigates the expression of IL-9 and IL-33 in COPD patients with distinct eosinophilic profiles. Understanding these molecular associations could offer insights into COPD heterogeneity and provide potential therapeutic targets. Methods: We investigated 50 COPD patients, of whom 21 had eosinophilic inflammation and 29 had non-eosinophilic inflammation. Epidemiological data, comorbidities, and pulmonary function tests were recorded. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated for mRNA analysis of ELAVL1, ZfP36, and HNRNPD genes and serum cytokines (IL-9, IL-33) were measured using ELISA kits. Results: The study comprised 50 participants, with 66% being male and a mean age of 68 years (SD: 8.9 years). Analysis of ELAVL1 gene expression revealed a 0.45-fold increase in non-eosinophilic and a 3.93-fold increase in eosinophilic inflammation (p = 0.11). For the ZfP36 gene, expression was 6.19-fold higher in non-eosinophilic and 119.4-fold higher in eosinophilic groups (p = 0.07). Similarly, HNRNPD gene expression was 0.23-fold higher in non-eosinophilic and 0.72-fold higher in eosinophilic inflammation (p = 0.06). Furthermore, serum levels of IL-9 showed no statistically significant difference between the eosinophilic and non-eosinophilic group (58.03 pg/mL vs. 52.55 pg/mL, p = 0.98). Additionally, there was no significant difference in IL-33 serum levels between COPD patients with eosinophilic inflammation and those with non-eosinophilic inflammation (39.61 pg/mL vs. 37.94 pg/mL, p = 0.72). Conclusions: The data suggest a notable trend, lacking statistical significance, towards higher mRNA expression for the ZfP36 and HNRNPD genes for COPD patients with eosinophilic inflammation compared to those with non-eosinophilic inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilektra Voulgareli
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, “Attikon” University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, 11527 Athens, Greece; (I.V.); (M.B.); (M.S.)
| | - Maria Semitekolou
- School of Medicine, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Crete, Foundation for Research and Technology—Hellas Voutes, 71110 Heraklion, Crete, Greece; (M.S.); (I.M.)
| | - Ioannis Morianos
- School of Medicine, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Crete, Foundation for Research and Technology—Hellas Voutes, 71110 Heraklion, Crete, Greece; (M.S.); (I.M.)
| | - Myrto Blizou
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, “Attikon” University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, 11527 Athens, Greece; (I.V.); (M.B.); (M.S.)
| | - Maria Sfika
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, “Attikon” University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, 11527 Athens, Greece; (I.V.); (M.B.); (M.S.)
| | - Georgios Hillas
- 5th Respiratory Medicine Department, “Sotiria” Chest Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece;
| | - Petros Bakakos
- 1st Respiratory Medicine Department, “Sotiria” Chest Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, 11527 Athens, Greece;
| | - Stelios Loukides
- 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, “Attikon” University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, 11527 Athens, Greece; (I.V.); (M.B.); (M.S.)
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Theofani E, Tsitsopoulou A, Morianos I, Semitekolou M. Severe Asthmatic Responses: The Impact of TSLP. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087581. [PMID: 37108740 PMCID: PMC10142872 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the lower respiratory system and includes several categories of patients with varying features or phenotypes. Patients with severe asthma (SA) represent a group of asthmatics that are poorly responsive to medium-to-high doses of inhaled corticosteroids and additional controllers, thus leading in some cases to life-threatening disease exacerbations. To elaborate on SA heterogeneity, the concept of asthma endotypes has been developed, with the latter being characterized as T2-high or low, depending on the type of inflammation implicated in disease pathogenesis. As SA patients exhibit curtailed responses to standard-of-care treatment, biologic therapies are prescribed as adjunctive treatments. To date, several biologics that target specific downstream effector molecules involved in disease pathophysiology have displayed superior efficacy only in patients with T2-high, eosinophilic inflammation, suggesting that upstream mediators of the inflammatory cascade could constitute an attractive therapeutic approach for difficult-to-treat asthma. One such appealing therapeutic target is thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), an epithelial-derived cytokine with critical functions in allergic diseases, including asthma. Numerous studies in both humans and mice have provided major insights pertinent to the role of TSLP in the initiation and propagation of asthmatic responses. Undoubtedly, the magnitude of TSLP in asthma pathogenesis is highlighted by the fact that the FDA recently approved tezepelumab (Tezspire), a human monoclonal antibody that targets TSLP, for SA treatment. Nevertheless, further research focusing on the biology and mode of function of TSLP in SA will considerably advance disease management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Efthymia Theofani
- Cellular Immunology Laboratory, Center for Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Aikaterini Tsitsopoulou
- Cellular Immunology Laboratory, Center for Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Ioannis Morianos
- Host Defense and Fungal Pathogenesis Lab, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71110 Heraklion, Greece
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology, 71300 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Maria Semitekolou
- Laboratory of Immune Regulation and Tolerance, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71110 Heraklion, Greece
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Theofani E, Semitekolou M, Samitas K, Mais A, Galani IE, Triantafyllia V, Lama J, Morianos I, Stavropoulos A, Jeong S, Andreakos E, Razani B, Rovina N, Xanthou G. TFEB signaling attenuates NLRP3-driven inflammatory responses in severe asthma. Allergy 2022; 77:2131-2146. [PMID: 35038351 DOI: 10.1111/all.15221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 07/18/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND NLRP3-driven inflammatory responses by circulating and lung-resident monocytes are critical drivers of asthma pathogenesis. Autophagy restrains NLRP3-induced monocyte activation in asthma models. Yet, the effects of autophagy and its master regulator, transcription factor EB (TFEB), on monocyte responses in human asthma remain unexplored. Here, we investigated whether activation of autophagy and TFEB signaling suppress inflammatory monocyte responses in asthmatic individuals. METHODS Peripheral blood CD14+ monocytes from asthmatic patients (n = 83) and healthy controls (n = 46) were stimulated with LPS/ATP to induce NLRP3 activation with or without the autophagy inducer, rapamycin. ASC specks, caspase-1 activation, IL-1β and IL-18 levels, mitochondrial function, ROS release, and mTORC1 signaling were examined. Autophagy was evaluated by LC3 puncta formation, p62/SQSTM1 degradation and TFEB activation. In a severe asthma (SA) model, we investigated the role of NLRP3 signaling using Nlrp3-/- mice and/or MCC950 administration, and the effects of TFEB activation using myeloid-specific TFEB-overexpressing mice or administration of the TFEB activator, trehalose. RESULTS We observed increased NLRP3 inflammasome activation, concomitant with impaired autophagy in circulating monocytes that correlated with asthma severity. SA patients also exhibited mitochondrial dysfunction and ROS accumulation. Autophagy failed to inhibit NLRP3-driven monocyte responses, due to defective TFEB activation and excessive mTORC1 signaling. NLRP3 blockade restrained inflammatory cytokine release and linked airway disease. TFEB activation restored impaired autophagy, attenuated NLRP3-driven pulmonary inflammation, and ameliorated SA phenotype. CONCLUSIONS Our studies uncover a crucial role for TFEB-mediated reprogramming of monocyte inflammatory responses, raising the prospect that this pathway can be therapeutically harnessed for the management of SA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Efthymia Theofani
- Cellular Immunology Laboratory Center for Basic Research Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens (BRFAA) Athens Greece
- 1st Department of Respiratory Medicine Medical School ‘Sotiria’ Athens Chest Diseases HospitalNational Kapodistrian University of Athens Athens Greece
| | - Maria Semitekolou
- Cellular Immunology Laboratory Center for Basic Research Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens (BRFAA) Athens Greece
| | - Konstantinos Samitas
- Cellular Immunology Laboratory Center for Basic Research Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens (BRFAA) Athens Greece
- 7th Respiratory Clinic and Asthma Center of the ‘Sotiria’ Athens Chest Hospital Athens Greece
| | - Annie Mais
- Cellular Immunology Laboratory Center for Basic Research Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens (BRFAA) Athens Greece
| | - Ioanna E. Galani
- Laboratory of Immunobiology Center for Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research BRFAA Athens Greece
| | - Vasiliki Triantafyllia
- Laboratory of Immunobiology Center for Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research BRFAA Athens Greece
| | - Joanna Lama
- Cellular Immunology Laboratory Center for Basic Research Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens (BRFAA) Athens Greece
| | - Ioannis Morianos
- Cellular Immunology Laboratory Center for Basic Research Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens (BRFAA) Athens Greece
| | - Athanasios Stavropoulos
- Laboratory of Immunobiology Center for Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research BRFAA Athens Greece
| | - Se‐Jin Jeong
- Department of Medicine Cardiovascular Division, and Department of Pathology & Immunology Washington University School of Medicine St. Louis Missouri USA
| | - Evangelos Andreakos
- Laboratory of Immunobiology Center for Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research BRFAA Athens Greece
| | - Babak Razani
- Department of Medicine Cardiovascular Division, and Department of Pathology & Immunology Washington University School of Medicine St. Louis Missouri USA
- John Cochran VA Medical Center St. Louis Missouri USA
| | - Nikoletta Rovina
- 1st Department of Respiratory Medicine Medical School ‘Sotiria’ Athens Chest Diseases HospitalNational Kapodistrian University of Athens Athens Greece
| | - Georgina Xanthou
- Cellular Immunology Laboratory Center for Basic Research Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens (BRFAA) Athens Greece
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Morianos I, Tsitsopoulou A, Potaris K, Valakos D, Fari O, Vatsellas G, Bostantzoglou C, Photiades A, Gaga M, Xanthou G, Semitekolou M. Activin-A impedes the establishment of CD4 + T cell exhaustion and enhances anti-tumor immunity in the lung. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2021; 40:295. [PMID: 34548096 PMCID: PMC8454162 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-021-02092-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Background Although tumor-infiltrating T cells represent a favorable prognostic marker for cancer patients, the majority of these cells are rendered with an exhausted phenotype. Hence, there is an unmet need to identify factors which can reverse this dysfunctional profile and restore their anti-tumorigenic potential. Activin-A is a pleiotropic cytokine, exerting a broad range of pro- or anti-inflammatory functions in different disease contexts, including allergic and autoimmune disorders and cancer. Given that activin-A exhibits a profound effect on CD4+ T cells in the airways and is elevated in lung cancer patients, we hypothesized that activin-A can effectively regulate anti-tumor immunity in lung cancer. Methods To evaluate the effects of activin-A in the context of lung cancer, we utilized the OVA-expressing Lewis Lung Carcinoma mouse model as well as the B16F10 melanoma model of pulmonary metastases. The therapeutic potential of activin-A-treated lung tumor-infiltrating CD4+ T cells was evaluated in adoptive transfer experiments, using CD4−/−-tumor bearing mice as recipients. In a reverse approach, we disrupted activin-A signaling on CD4+ T cells using an inducible model of CD4+ T cell-specific knockout of activin-A type I receptor. RNA-Sequencing analysis was performed to assess the transcriptional signature of these cells and the molecular mechanisms which mediate activin-A’s function. In a translational approach, we validated activin-A’s anti-tumorigenic properties using primary human tumor-infiltrating CD4+ T cells from lung cancer patients. Results Administration of activin-A in lung tumor-bearing mice attenuated disease progression, an effect associated with heightened ratio of infiltrating effector to regulatory CD4+ T cells. Therapeutic transfer of lung tumor-infiltrating activin-A-treated CD4+ T cells, delayed tumor progression in CD4−/− recipients and enhanced T cell-mediated immunity. CD4+ T cells genetically unresponsive to activin-A, failed to elicit effective anti-tumor properties and displayed an exhausted molecular signature governed by the transcription factors Tox and Tox2. Of translational importance, treatment of activin-A on tumor-infiltrating CD4+ T cells from lung cancer patients augmented their immunostimulatory capacity towards autologous CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Conclusions In this study, we introduce activin-A as a novel immunomodulatory factor in the lung tumor microenvironment, which bestows exhausted CD4+ T cells with effector properties. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13046-021-02092-5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Morianos
- Cellular Immunology Laboratory, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens (BRFAA), 11527, Athens, Greece
| | - Aikaterini Tsitsopoulou
- Cellular Immunology Laboratory, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens (BRFAA), 11527, Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Potaris
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Athens Chest Hospital 'Sotiria', 11527, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Ourania Fari
- Cellular Immunology Laboratory, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens (BRFAA), 11527, Athens, Greece.,Present address: Department of Medicine I, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Institute of Cancer Research, Medical University of Vienna, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | | | | | - Andreas Photiades
- 7th Respiratory Medicine Department and Asthma Center, Athens Chest Hospital 'Sotiria', 11527, Athens, Greece
| | - Mina Gaga
- 7th Respiratory Medicine Department and Asthma Center, Athens Chest Hospital 'Sotiria', 11527, Athens, Greece
| | - Georgina Xanthou
- Cellular Immunology Laboratory, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens (BRFAA), 11527, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Semitekolou
- Cellular Immunology Laboratory, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens (BRFAA), 11527, Athens, Greece.
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Gampierakis IA, Koutmani Y, Semitekolou M, Morianos I, Polissidis A, Katsouda A, Charalampopoulos I, Xanthou G, Gravanis A, Karalis KP. Correction: Hippocampal neural stem cells and microglia response to experimental inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:3662. [PMID: 32873896 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-020-00871-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis-Alexandros Gampierakis
- Center for Experimental Surgery, Clinical and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece.,Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Yassemi Koutmani
- Center for Experimental Surgery, Clinical and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Semitekolou
- Cellular Immunology Laboratory, Center for Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Ioannis Morianos
- Cellular Immunology Laboratory, Center for Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Alexia Polissidis
- Center for Experimental Surgery, Clinical and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Antonia Katsouda
- Center for Experimental Surgery, Clinical and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece.,School of Pharmacy, University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Ioannis Charalampopoulos
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece.,Institute of Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (IMBB), Foundation of Research & Technology Hellas (FORTH), Heraklion, Greece
| | - Georgina Xanthou
- Cellular Immunology Laboratory, Center for Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Achille Gravanis
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece.,Institute of Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (IMBB), Foundation of Research & Technology Hellas (FORTH), Heraklion, Greece
| | - Katia P Karalis
- Center for Experimental Surgery, Clinical and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece. .,Emulate, Inc., 27 Drydock Avenue, Boston, MA, 02210, USA. .,Endocrine Division, Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. .,Institute for Fundamental Biomedical Research, Biomedical Science Research Centre "Alexander Fleming", Athens, Greece.
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Gampierakis IA, Koutmani Y, Semitekolou M, Morianos I, Polissidis A, Katsouda A, Charalampopoulos I, Xanthou G, Gravanis A, Karalis KP. Hippocampal neural stem cells and microglia response to experimental inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:1248-1263. [PMID: 31969694 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-020-0651-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2018] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), is a disease associated with dysbiosis, resulting in compromised intestinal epithelial barrier and chronic mucosal inflammation. Patients with IBD present with increased incidence of psychiatric disorders and cognitive impairment. Hippocampus is a brain region where adult neurogenesis occurs with functional implications in mood control and cognition. Using a well-established model of experimental colitis based on the administration of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) in the drinking water, we sought to characterize the short and long-term effects of colitis on neurogenesis and glia responses in the hippocampus. We show that acute DSS colitis enhanced neurogenesis but with deficits in cell cycle kinetics of proliferating progenitors in the hippocampus. Chronic DSS colitis was characterized by normal levels of neurogenesis but with deficits in the migration and integration of newborn neurons in the functional circuitry of the DG. Notably, we found that acute DSS colitis-induced enhanced infiltration of the hippocampus with macrophages and inflammatory myeloid cells from the periphery, along with elevated frequencies of inflammatory M1-like microglia and increased release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. In contrast, increased percentages of tissue-repairing M2-like microglia, along with elevated levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-10 were observed in the hippocampus during chronic DSS colitis. These findings uncover key effects of acute and chronic experimental colitis on adult hippocampal neurogenesis and innate immune cell responses, highlighting the potential mechanisms underlying cognitive and mood dysfunction in patients with IBD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis-Alexandros Gampierakis
- Center for Experimental Surgery, Clinical and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Yassemi Koutmani
- Center for Experimental Surgery, Clinical and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Semitekolou
- Cellular Immunology Laboratory, Center for Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Ioannis Morianos
- Cellular Immunology Laboratory, Center for Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Alexia Polissidis
- Center for Experimental Surgery, Clinical and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Antonia Katsouda
- Center for Experimental Surgery, Clinical and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
- School of Pharmacy, University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Ioannis Charalampopoulos
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
- Institute of Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (IMBB), Foundation of Research & Technology Hellas (FORTH), Heraklion, Greece
| | - Georgina Xanthou
- Cellular Immunology Laboratory, Center for Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Achille Gravanis
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
- Institute of Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (IMBB), Foundation of Research & Technology Hellas (FORTH), Heraklion, Greece
| | - Katia P Karalis
- Center for Experimental Surgery, Clinical and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece.
- Emulate, Inc., 27 Drydock Avenue, Boston, MA, 02210, USA.
- Endocrine Division, Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Institute for Fundamental Biomedical Research, Biomedical Science Research Centre "Alexander Fleming", Athens, Greece.
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Morianos I, Semitekolou M. Dendritic Cells: Critical Regulators of Allergic Asthma. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21217930. [PMID: 33114551 PMCID: PMC7663753 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21217930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Allergic asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), chronic airway inflammation, and excessive T helper (Th) type 2 immune responses against harmless airborne allergens. Dendritic cells (DCs) represent the most potent antigen-presenting cells of the immune system that act as a bridge between innate and adaptive immunity. Pertinent to allergic asthma, distinct DC subsets are known to play a central role in initiating and maintaining allergen driven Th2 immune responses in the airways. Nevertheless, seminal studies have demonstrated that DCs can also restrain excessive asthmatic responses and thus contribute to the resolution of allergic airway inflammation and the maintenance of pulmonary tolerance. Notably, the transfer of tolerogenic DCs in vivo suppresses Th2 allergic responses and protects or even reverses established allergic airway inflammation. Thus, the identification of novel DC subsets that possess immunoregulatory properties and can efficiently control aberrant asthmatic responses is critical for the re-establishment of tolerance and the amelioration of the asthmatic disease phenotype.
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Theofani E, Semitekolou M, Morianos I, Samitas K, Xanthou G. Targeting NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation in Severe Asthma. J Clin Med 2019; 8:jcm8101615. [PMID: 31590215 PMCID: PMC6833007 DOI: 10.3390/jcm8101615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Revised: 09/24/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe asthma (SA) is a chronic lung disease characterized by recurring symptoms of reversible airflow obstruction, airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR), and inflammation that is resistant to currently employed treatments. The nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like Receptor Family Pyrin Domain Containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is an intracellular sensor that detects microbial motifs and endogenous danger signals and represents a key component of innate immune responses in the airways. Assembly of the NLRP3 inflammasome leads to caspase 1-dependent release of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18 as well as pyroptosis. Accumulating evidence proposes that NLRP3 activation is critically involved in asthma pathogenesis. In fact, although NLRP3 facilitates the clearance of pathogens in the airways, persistent NLRP3 activation by inhaled irritants and/or innocuous environmental allergens can lead to overt pulmonary inflammation and exacerbation of asthma manifestations. Notably, administration of NLRP3 inhibitors in asthma models restrains AHR and pulmonary inflammation. Here, we provide an overview of the pathophysiology of SA, present molecular mechanisms underlying aberrant inflammatory responses in the airways, summarize recent studies pertinent to the biology and functions of NLRP3, and discuss the role of NLRP3 in the pathogenesis of asthma. Finally, we contemplate the potential of targeting NLRP3 as a novel therapeutic approach for the management of SA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Efthymia Theofani
- Cellular Immunology Laboratory, Center for Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Semitekolou
- Cellular Immunology Laboratory, Center for Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Ioannis Morianos
- Cellular Immunology Laboratory, Center for Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Samitas
- 7th Respiratory Clinic and Asthma Center, 'Sotiria' Athens Chest Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Georgina Xanthou
- Cellular Immunology Laboratory, Center for Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece.
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Thiriou D, Morianos I, Xanthou G, Samitas K. Innate immunity as the orchestrator of allergic airway inflammation and resolution in asthma. Int Immunopharmacol 2017; 48:43-54. [PMID: 28463786 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2017.04.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2016] [Revised: 04/15/2017] [Accepted: 04/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The respiratory system is constantly in direct contact with the environment and, has therefore, developed strong innate and adaptive immune responses to combat pathogens. Unlike adaptive immunity which is mounted later in the course of the immune response and is naive at the outset, innate immunity provides the first line of defense against microbial agents, while also promoting resolution of inflammation. In the airways, innate immune effector cells mainly consist of eosinophils, neutrophils, mast cells, basophils, macrophages/monocytes, dendritic cells and innate lymphoid cells, which attack pathogens directly or indirectly through the release of inflammatory cytokines and antimicrobial peptides, and coordinate T and B cell-mediated adaptive immunity. Airway epithelial cells are also critically involved in shaping both the innate and adaptive arms of the immune response. Chronic allergic airway inflammation and linked asthmatic disease is often considered a result of aberrant activation of type 2 T helper cells (Th2) towards innocuous environmental allergens; however, innate immune cells are increasingly recognized as key players responsible for the initiation and the perpetuation of allergic responses. Moreover, innate cells participate in immune response regulation through the release of anti-inflammatory mediators, and guide tissue repair and the maintenance of airway homeostasis. The scope of this review is to outline existing knowledge on innate immune responses involved in allergic airway inflammation, highlight current gaps in our understanding of the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms and discuss the potential use of innate effector cells in new therapeutic avenues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Despoina Thiriou
- 2(nd) Respiratory Medicine Dept., Athens Chest Hospital "Sotiria", Athens, Greece
| | - Ioannis Morianos
- Cellular Immunology Laboratory, Division of Cell Biology, Center for Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Greece
| | - Georgina Xanthou
- Cellular Immunology Laboratory, Division of Cell Biology, Center for Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Samitas
- Cellular Immunology Laboratory, Division of Cell Biology, Center for Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Greece; 7(th) Respiratory Medicine Dept. and Asthma Center, Athens Chest Hospital "Sotiria", Athens, Greece.
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Samitas K, Poulos N, Semitekolou M, Morianos I, Tousa S, Economidou E, Robinson DS, Kariyawasam HH, Zervas E, Corrigan CJ, Ying S, Xanthou G, Gaga M. Activin-A is overexpressed in severe asthma and is implicated in angiogenic processes. Eur Respir J 2016; 47:769-82. [PMID: 26869672 DOI: 10.1183/13993003.00437-2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2015] [Accepted: 12/04/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Activin-A is a pleiotropic cytokine that regulates allergic inflammation. Its role in the regulation of angiogenesis, a key feature of airways remodelling in asthma, remains unexplored. Our objective was to investigate the expression of activin-A in asthma and its effects on angiogenesis in vitro.Expression of soluble/immunoreactive activin-A and its receptors was measured in serum, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and endobronchial biopsies from 16 healthy controls, 19 patients with mild/moderate asthma and 22 severely asthmatic patients. In vitro effects of activin-A on baseline and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced human endothelial cell angiogenesis, signalling and cytokine release were compared with BALF concentrations of these cytokines in vivo.Activin-A expression was significantly elevated in serum, BALF and bronchial tissue of the asthmatics, while expression of its protein receptors was reduced. In vitro, activin-A suppressed VEGF-induced endothelial cell proliferation and angiogenesis, inducing autocrine production of anti-angiogenic soluble VEGF receptor (R)1 and interleukin (IL)-18, while reducing production of pro-angiogenic VEGFR2 and IL-17. In parallel, BALF concentrations of soluble VEGFR1 and IL-18 were significantly reduced in severe asthmatics in vivo and inversely correlated with angiogenesis.Activin-A is overexpressed and has anti-angiogenic effects in vitro that are not propagated in vivo, where reduced basal expression of its receptors is observed particularly in severe asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos Samitas
- Cellular Immunology Laboratory, Division of Cell Biology, Centre for Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece 7th Respiratory Medicine Department and Asthma Centre, Athens Chest Hospital "Sotiria", Athens, Greece These authors contributed equally
| | - Nikolaos Poulos
- Cellular Immunology Laboratory, Division of Cell Biology, Centre for Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece These authors contributed equally
| | - Maria Semitekolou
- Cellular Immunology Laboratory, Division of Cell Biology, Centre for Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece These authors contributed equally
| | - Ioannis Morianos
- Cellular Immunology Laboratory, Division of Cell Biology, Centre for Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Sofia Tousa
- Cellular Immunology Laboratory, Division of Cell Biology, Centre for Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Erasmia Economidou
- 7th Respiratory Medicine Department and Asthma Centre, Athens Chest Hospital "Sotiria", Athens, Greece
| | - Douglas S Robinson
- Medical Research Council and Asthma UK Centre for Mechanisms of Allergic Asthma, National Heart and Lung Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Harsha H Kariyawasam
- Medical Research Council and Asthma UK Centre for Mechanisms of Allergic Asthma, National Heart and Lung Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College, London, UK Department of Allergy and Medical Rhinology, Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital, University College, London, UK
| | - Eleftherios Zervas
- 7th Respiratory Medicine Department and Asthma Centre, Athens Chest Hospital "Sotiria", Athens, Greece
| | - Christopher J Corrigan
- Department of Asthma, Allergy and Respiratory Science, King's College London School of Medicine, London, UK
| | - Sun Ying
- Department of Asthma, Allergy and Respiratory Science, King's College London School of Medicine, London, UK
| | - Georgina Xanthou
- Cellular Immunology Laboratory, Division of Cell Biology, Centre for Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece Both authors contributed equally
| | - Mina Gaga
- 7th Respiratory Medicine Department and Asthma Centre, Athens Chest Hospital "Sotiria", Athens, Greece Both authors contributed equally
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Tsoumakidou M, Tousa S, Semitekolou M, Panagiotou P, Panagiotou A, Morianos I, Litsiou E, Trochoutsou AI, Konstantinou M, Potaris K, Footitt J, Mallia P, Zakynthinos S, Johnston SL, Xanthou G. Tolerogenic signaling by pulmonary CD1c+ dendritic cells induces regulatory T cells in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by IL-27/IL-10/inducible costimulator ligand. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2014; 134:944-954.e8. [PMID: 25051954 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2014.05.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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: 11/14/2013] [Revised: 04/26/2014] [Accepted: 05/28/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increased mortality rates in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are largely due to severe infectious exacerbations. Impaired respiratory immunity is linked to the enhanced susceptibility to infections. Dendritic cells (DCs) direct host immune responses toward immunity or tolerance. Pulmonary CD1c(+) DCs elicit robust antiviral immune responses in healthy subjects. Nevertheless, their functional specialization in patients with COPD remains unexplored. OBJECTIVE We sought to better understand the mechanisms that suppress respiratory immunity in patients with COPD by examining the immunostimulatory and tolerogenic properties of pulmonary CD1c(+) DCs. METHODS We analyzed the expression of costimulatory and tolerogenic molecules by pulmonary CD1c(+) DCs from patients with COPD (CD1c(+)DCCOPD) and former smokers without COPD. We isolated lung CD1c(+) DCs and determined their ability to stimulate allogeneic T-cell responses. The suppressive effects of lung CD1c(+) DCs and CD1c(+) DC-primed T cells on mixed leukocyte reactions were examined. An experimental human model of COPD exacerbation was used to investigate the levels of critical immunosuppressive molecules in vivo. RESULTS CD1c(+) DCs from patients with COPD hinder T-cell effector functions and favor the generation of suppressive IL-10-secreting CD4(+) T cells that function through IL-10 and TGF-β. IL-27, IL-10, and inducible T-cell costimulator ligand signaling are essential for CD1c(+)DCCOPD-mediated differentiation of IL-10-producing suppressive T cells. Exposure of lung CD1c(+) DCs from nonobstructed subjects to lungs of patients with COPD confers tolerogenic properties. IL-27 and IL-10 levels are increased in the lung microenvironment on rhinovirus-induced COPD exacerbation in vivo. CONCLUSION We identify a novel tolerogenic circuit encompassing suppressive CD1c(+) DCs and regulatory T cells in patients with COPD that might be implicated in impaired respiratory immunity and further highlight IL-10 and IL-27 as potent therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Tsoumakidou
- First Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Evaggelismos Hospital, University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece.
| | - Sofia Tousa
- Cellular Immunology Laboratory, Center for Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Semitekolou
- Cellular Immunology Laboratory, Center for Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Panagiota Panagiotou
- First Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Evaggelismos Hospital, University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - Anna Panagiotou
- First Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Evaggelismos Hospital, University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - Ioannis Morianos
- Cellular Immunology Laboratory, Center for Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Litsiou
- First Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Evaggelismos Hospital, University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - Aikaterini I Trochoutsou
- Cellular Immunology Laboratory, Center for Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | | | - Joseph Footitt
- Airway Disease Infection Section, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Patrick Mallia
- Airway Disease Infection Section, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Spyros Zakynthinos
- First Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Evaggelismos Hospital, University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - Sebastian L Johnston
- Airway Disease Infection Section, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Georgina Xanthou
- Cellular Immunology Laboratory, Center for Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece.
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Litsiou E, Semitekolou M, Galani I, Morianos I, Tsoutsa A, Kara P, Rontogianni D, Bellenis I, Konstantinou M, Potaris K, Andreakos E, Sideras P, Zakynthinos S, Tsoumakidou M. Reply: CXCL13 in tertiary lymphoid tissues: sites of production are different from sites of functional localization. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2014; 189:370-1. [PMID: 24484346 DOI: 10.1164/rccm.201308-1519le] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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Litsiou E, Semitekolou M, Galani IE, Morianos I, Tsoutsa A, Kara P, Rontogianni D, Bellenis I, Konstantinou M, Potaris K, Andreakos E, Sideras P, Zakynthinos S, Tsoumakidou M. CXCL13 production in B cells via Toll-like receptor/lymphotoxin receptor signaling is involved in lymphoid neogenesis in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2013; 187:1194-202. [PMID: 23525932 DOI: 10.1164/rccm.201208-1543oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
RATIONALE Little is known about what drives the appearance of lymphoid follicles (LFs), which may function as lymphoid organs in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In animal infection models, pulmonary LF formation requires expression of homeostatic chemokines by stromal cells and dendritic cells, partly via lymphotoxin. OBJECTIVES To study the role of homeostatic chemokines in LF formation in COPD and to identify mechanism(s) responsible for their production. METHODS Peripheral lung homeostatic chemokine and lymphotoxin expression were visualized by immunostainings and quantified by ELISA/quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction in patients with COPD with and without LFs. Expression of lymphotoxin and homeostatic chemokine receptors was investigated by flow cytometry. Primary lung cell cultures, followed by ELISA/quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction/flow cytometry, were performed to identify mechanisms of chemokine expression. Polycarbonate membrane filters were used to assess primary lung cell migration toward lung homogenates. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS LFs expressed the homeostatic chemokine CXCL13. Total CXCL13 levels correlated with LF density. Lung B cells of patients with COPD were important sources of CXCL13 and lymphotoxin and also expressed their receptors. Cigarette smoke extract, H2O2, and LPS exposure up-regulated B cell-derived CXCL13. The LPS-induced increase in CXCL13 was partly mediated via lymphotoxin. Notably, CXCL13 was required for efficient lung B-cell migration toward COPD lung homogenates and induced lung B cells to up-regulate lymphotoxin, which further promoted CXCL13 production, establishing a positive feedback loop. CONCLUSIONS LF formation in COPD may be driven by lung B cells via a CXCL13-dependent mechanism that involves toll-like receptor and lymphotoxin receptor signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleni Litsiou
- Department of Critical Care Medicine and Pulmonary Services, Evaggelismos General Hospital, Athens, Greece
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Morianos I, Siapati EK, Pongas G, Vassilopoulos G. Comparative analysis of FV vectors with human α- or β-globin gene regulatory elements for the correction of β-thalassemia. Gene Ther 2011; 19:303-11. [PMID: 21734726 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2011.98] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
β-Globin locus control region (LCR) sequences have been widely used for the regulated expression of the human β-globin gene in therapeutic viral vectors. In this study, we compare the expression of the human β-globin gene from either the HS2/HS3 β-globin LCR or the HS40 regulatory element from the α-globin locus in the context of foamy virus (FV) vectors for the genetic correction of β-thalassemia. Both regulatory elements expressed comparable levels of human β-globin in a murine erythroleukemic line, whereas in murine hematopoietic stem cells the HS40.β vector proved more efficient in β-globin expression and correction of the β-thalassemia phenotype. Following transplantation in the Hbb(th3/+) mouse model, the expression efficiency by the two vectors was similar, whereas the HS40.β vector achieved relatively more stable transgene expression. In addition, in an ex vivo assay using CD34+ cells from thalassemic patients, both vectors achieved significant human β-globin expression and restoration of the thalassemic phenotype as evidenced by enhanced erythropoiesis and decreased apoptosis. Our data suggest that FV vectors with the α-globin HS40 element can be used as alternative but equally efficient vehicles for human β-globin gene expression for the genetic correction of β-thalassemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Morianos
- Division of Genetics and Gene Therapy, Basic Research II, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
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