ZFPM2-AS1 facilitates cell growth in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma via up-regulating TRAF4

Abstract Emerging evidence has confirmed that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are strongly involved in tumor initiation and development. LncRNA ZFPM2 antisense RNA 1 (ZFPM2-AS1) has been identified as a tumor facilitator in some cancers; nevertheless, its functional significance and regulatory mechanism remain greatly unclear in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Here, we detected ZFPM2-AS1 expression in ESCC cell lines using qRT-PCR. ZFPM2-AS1 knockdown models were established for investigating the biological function of ZFPM2-AS1 in ESCC cells. The association between miR-3612 and ZFPM2-AS1 or TRAF4 was assessed by RNA pull-down and luciferase reporter assays. The present study indicated that ZFPM2-AS1 was significantly up-regulated in ESCC cells. Functional assays manifested that ZFPM2-AS1 knockdown restrained cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and facilitated cell apoptosis in ESCC. Mechanistically, ZFPM2-AS1 promoted ESCC cell growth and up-regulated TRAF4 to trigger NF-κB pathway by sequestering miR-3612. Besides, miR-3612 was confirmed to be a tumor inhibitor in ESCC. Through restoration experiments, we observed that TRAF4 overexpression could recover the suppressive effect of ZFPM2-AS1 on ESCC cell growth. Collectively, all the results suggested that ZFPM2-AS1 was an oncogene in ESCC cell growth by up-regulating TRAF4 and activating NF-κB pathway.

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Long Non-Coding RNA CCAT2 Promotes the Development of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma by Inhibiting miR-200b to Upregulate the IGF2BP2/TK1 Axis

Frontiers in Oncology ◽

10.3389/fonc.2021.680642 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

Author(s):

Xiaodan Wu ◽

Yihui Fan ◽

Yupeng Liu ◽

Biao Shen ◽

Haimin Lu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽

Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽

Cell Carcinoma ◽

Squamous Cell ◽

Luciferase Reporter ◽

Migration And Invasion ◽

Clinical Samples ◽

Non Coding Rna

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been shown to play important roles in human cancers, including esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). In the current study, we identified CCAT2 as a relevant lncRNA and investigated its role in the progression of ESCC. RT-qPCR was adopted to detect CCAT2 expression in collected clinical samples, ESCC cell lines, and a normal cell line. We tested the correlation between CCAT2 expression and the prognosis of ESCC. RT-qPCR or immunoblotting was adopted to detect the expression of relevant factors in ESCC tissues or cells. Cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion were examined by colony formation assay, flow cytometry, scratch assay, and Transwell assay, respectively, while subcutaneous tumorigenesis in nude mice was adopted to examine the role of CCAT2 in tumorigenesis of ESCC cells in vivo. Bioinformatics analysis, dual luciferase reporter assay, and RIP were conducted for the target relationship profiling. Me-RIP was adopted to detect m6A modification level of TK1 in ESCC tissues or cells. Upregulated CCAT2, IGF2BP2, and TK1 expression and inhibited miR-200b expression were observed in ESCC cells and tissues. CCAT2 bound to miR-200b and reduced its expression, leading to upregulated IGF2BP2 expression. IGF2BP2 improved TK1 mRNA stability to enhance its expression by recognizing its m6A modification. CCAT2 promoted the migration and invasion of ESCC cells in vitro, and tumorigenesis in vivo by upregulating TK1 expression, while overexpression of miR-200b reversed these effects of CCAT2. Overall, this study suggests that CCAT2 competitively binds to miR-200b to alleviate its inhibitory effects on IGF2BP2 expression, resulting in elevated TK1 expression, and an ensuing promotion of the development of ESCC.

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Circ_DLG1 facilitates esophageal squamous cell carcinoma progression by mediating miR-338-3p/MAP3K9 axis via activating MAPK/ERK pathway

10.21203/rs.3.rs-16608/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Yixuan Yang ◽

Bing Zhu ◽

Zhaofeng Ning ◽

Xiaodong Wang ◽

Zhaoxia Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cell Cycle ◽

Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽

Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽

Cell Carcinoma ◽

Squamous Cell ◽

Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽

Luciferase Reporter ◽

Migration And Invasion ◽

Erk Pathway

Abstract Background: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is an aggressive malignancy with a high incidence and poor prognosis. The document of circular RNAs (circRNAs) is frequently associated with cancer development. This study intended to explore the functional mechanism of circ_DLG1 in ESCC.Methods: The expression of circ_DLG1, miR-338-3p and Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinase Kinase 9 (MAP3K9) was measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Cell cycle, proliferation, migration and invasion were performed for functional analysis using flow cytometry, 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and transwell assay, respectively. The protein levels of MAP3K9, p38, phosphor p38 (p-p38), ERK1/2, phosphor ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2) were detected by western blot. Bioinformatics tool for target prediction used the online tool starBase. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was performed to verify the target relationship. The animal experiments were performed to ascertain the role of circ_DLG1 in vivo.Results: The expression of circ_DLG1 was elevated in ESCC tissues, plasma and cells. Circ_DLG1 knockdown inhibited cell cycle, proliferation, migration and invasion. MAP3K9 was highly expressed in ESCC tissues and cells, and its overexpression rescued the effects of circ_DLG1 knockdown. MiR-338-3p was a link between circ_DLG1 and MAP3K9, and circ_DLG1 regulated the expression of MAP3K9 by targeting miR-338-3p. The MAPK/ERK pathway was involved in the circ_DLG1/miR-338-3p/MAP3K9 regulatory axis. Circ_DLG1 knockdown blocked the tumor growth in vivo by regulating miR-338-3p and MAP3K9.Conclusion: Circ_DLG1 contributed to the malignant progression of ESCC by mediating the miR-338-3p/MAP3K9 axis via activating the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway. This paper provided a novel action mode of circ_DLG1 in ESCC.

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PS02.053: DUAL-STRANDS OF MIR-150-DUPLEX (MIR-150–5P AND MIR-150–3P) ACTED AS ANTI-TUMOR MIRNAS THROUGH TARGETING SPOCK1 IN ESOPHAGEAL SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA

Diseases of the Esophagus ◽

10.1093/dote/doy089.ps02.053 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 31 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 135-135

Author(s):

Yusaku Osako ◽

Naohiko Seki ◽

Tetsuya Idichi ◽

Yoshiaki Kita ◽

Itaru Omoto ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽

Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽

Cell Carcinoma ◽

Cancer Cell ◽

Squamous Cell ◽

Fine Tuning ◽

Luciferase Reporter ◽

Migration And Invasion ◽

Passenger Strand

Abstract Background MicroRNAs (miRNAs) belong to a group of small non-coding RNA molecules that act as pivotal agents responsible for fine-tuning RNA expression in a sequence-dependent manner. A large number of studies showed that dysregulated miRNAs are deeply involved in the development of cancer cells, as well as their metastasis and drug resistance. Based on our original miRNA expression signatures by RNA-sequencing revealed that both strands of miR-150–5p (the guide strand) and miR-150–3p (the passenger strand) was downregulated in several cancers. The general concept of miRNA biogenesis posits that the passenger strand of miRNA (the minor strand or miRNA*) derived from duplex miRNA is degraded and does not regulate gene expression. Here, we aimed that to investigate functional significance of these miRNAs in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Methods Cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion abilities were performed by using mature miRNAs or siRNAs. Genome-wide gene expression analyses and in silico analyses were applied to identify miRNA target genes in ESCC cells. Results Expression levels of miR-150–5p and miR-150–3p were significantly reduced in ESCC clinical specimens and cell lines. Cancer cell aggressiveness was inhibited by ectopic expression of these miRNAs. A total of 12 genes were identified as oncogenic targets by both miR-150–5p and miR-150–3p in ESCC cells. SPOCK1 (SPARC/osteonectin, cwcv and kazal-like domains proteoglycan 1) was directly regulated by both miR-150–5p and miR-150–3p by luciferase reporter assay. Overexpression of SPOCK1 was detected in ESCC specimens and knockdown of SPOCK1 by siRNA significantly inhibited cancer cell migration and invasion abilities. Conclusion Both strands of miR-150-duplex (miR-150–5p and miR-150–3p) acted as anti-tumor miRNAs in ESCC. Overexpression of SPOCK1 was enhanced cancer cell aggressiveness. Involvement of passenger strand of miRNA in cancer pathogenesis is novel concept in cancer research. We suggest that identification of novel function of passenger strands of miRNAs and the RNA networks they regulate might enhance our understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of ESCC. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

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Identification of Cancer Stem Cell Molecular Markers and Effects of hsa-miR-21-3p on Stemness in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Cancers ◽

10.3390/cancers11040518 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 518 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Zhikui Gao ◽

Hui Liu ◽

Yajuan Shi ◽

Lihong Yin ◽

Yong Zhu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Stem Cells ◽

Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽

Stem Cell ◽

Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽

Cell Carcinoma ◽

Squamous Cell ◽

Luciferase Reporter ◽

Tumor Resistance ◽

Slow Progression ◽

Reporter Assays

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are closely related to tumor resistance and tumor recurrence in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). The lack of specific biomarkers to identify and isolate CSCs has led to the slow progression of research on CSCs in ESCC. Here, we established a method to identify and isolate CSCs in ESCC using fluorescence-activated cell sorting with combined surface biomarkers including CD71, CD271, and CD338. CD71−/CD271+/CD338+ subpopulation cells possessed more stem cell properties in proliferation, self-renewal, differentiation, metastasis, drug resistance, and tumorigenesis. We further explored possible roles that microRNAs played in stem cells. Using microarrays, we identified that has-miR-21-3p was highly expressed in positive sorted cells, and further functional and Luciferase reporter assays verified that has-miR-21-3p promoted proliferation and anti-apoptosis by regulating TRAF4. We further analyzed the relationship between hsa-miR-21-3p and ESCC in 137 patients with ESCC. Statistical analysis showed that up-regulation of hsa-miR-21-3p was associated with a high risk of ESCC. Collectively, we identified surface biomarkers of stem cells in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, and discovered thathsa-miR-21-3p may be involved in stemness maintenance by regulating TRAF4.

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Circular RNA circ_0006168 enhances Taxol resistance in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by regulating miR-194-5p/JMJD1C axis

Cancer Cell International ◽

10.1186/s12935-021-01984-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Fanyong Qu ◽

Lina Wang ◽

Caiyan Wang ◽

Lingxia Yu ◽

Kaikai Zhao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cell Proliferation ◽

Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽

Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽

Cell Carcinoma ◽

Squamous Cell ◽

Cell Counting ◽

Luciferase Reporter ◽

Migration And Invasion ◽

Taxol Resistance

Abstract Background Chemoresistance is one of the major obstacles for cancer therapy in the clinic. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are involved in the pathogenesis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and chemoresistance. This study aimed to explore the role and molecular mechanism of circ_0006168 in Taxol resistance of ESCC. Methods The expression levels of circ_0006168, microRNA-194-5p (miR-194-5p) and jumonji domain containing 1C (JMJD1C) were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) or western blot. The half-inhibition concentration (IC50) value of Taxol was evaluated by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Cell proliferation was evaluated by CCK-8 and colony formation assays. Cell migration and invasion were detected by transwell assay. Cell apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry. The interaction between miR-194-5p and circ_0006168 or JMJD1C was predicted by bioinformatics analysis (Circinteractome and TargetScan) and verified by dual-luciferase reporter and RNA Immunoprecipitation (RIP) and RNA pull-down assays. The mice xenograft model was established to investigate the roles of circ_0006168 in vivo. Results Circ_0006168 and JMJD1C were upregulated and miR-194-5p was downregulated in ESCC tissues, ESCC cells, and Taxol-resistant cells. Functionally, knockdown of circ_0006168 or JMJD1C increased Taxol sensitivity of ESCC in vitro via inhibiting cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and promoting apoptosis. Moreover, circ_0006168 could directly bind to miR-194-5p and JMJD1C was verified as a direct target of miR-194-5p. Mechanically, circ_0006168 was a sponge of miR-194-5p to regulate JMJD1C expression in ESCC cells. Furthermore, JMJD1C overexpression reversed the promotive effect of circ_0006168 knockdown on Taxol sensitivity. Besides, circ_0006168 silence suppressed tumor growth in vivo. Conclusion Circ_0006168 facilitated Taxol resistance in ESCC by regulating miR-194-5p/JMJD1C axis, providing a promising therapeutic target for ESCC chemotherapy.

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LncRNA GACAT3 promotes esophageal squamous cell carcinoma progression through regulation of miR-149/FOXM1

Cancer Cell International ◽

10.1186/s12935-021-02192-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Min Su ◽

Jinming Tang ◽

Baihua Zhang ◽

Desong Yang ◽

Zhining Wu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽

Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽

Cell Carcinoma ◽

Squamous Cell ◽

Colony Formation ◽

Noncoding Rna ◽

Xenograft Model ◽

Luciferase Reporter ◽

Migration And Invasion ◽

Foxm1 Expression

Abstract Background The long noncoding RNA gastric cancer associated transcript 3 (GACAT3) has been demonstrated to be implicated in the carcinogenesis and progression of many malignancies. However, GACAT3’s levels and role in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) has not been elucidated. Methods GACAT3 amounts were investigated in ESCC tissues and cell lines by qPCR. Its biological functions were examined by CCK-8 assay, colony formation assay, flow cytometry, wound healing assay, transwell assay, and xenograft model establishment. The relationship between GACAT3 and miR-149 was assessed by dual-luciferase reporter assay. Results GACAT3 amounts were elevated in ESCC tissue and cell specimens. Functional studies showed that GACAT3 silencing reduced the proliferation, migration and invasion of cultured ESCC cells, and decreased tumor growth in mice. Furthermore, GACAT could directly interact with miR-149. In addition, colony formation and invasion assays verified that GACAT3 promotes ESCC tumor progression through miR-149. Moreover, GACAT3 acted as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) to modulate FOXM1 expression. Conclusions These findings indicate that GACAT3 functions as an oncogene by acting as a ceRNA for miR-149 to modulate FOXM1 expression in ESCC, suggesting that GACAT3 might constitute a therapeutic target in ESCC.

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LncRNA JPX Promotes Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Progression by Targeting miR-516b-5p/VEGFA Axis

10.21203/rs.3.rs-798922/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Yi He ◽

Bin Li ◽

Yang Yang ◽

Rong Hua ◽

Zhigang Li

Keyword(s):

Cell Proliferation ◽

Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽

Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽

Cell Carcinoma ◽

Squamous Cell ◽

Luciferase Reporter ◽

Migration And Invasion ◽

Fish Cell

Abstract Background: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are reported act as important regulators in various cancers. LncRNA JPX was identified as an oncogenic regulator in lung cancer. However, the function of lncRNA JPX in the progression of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains unclear. Methods: The effects and molecular mechanism of JPX on the progression of ESCC were investigated using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), cell proliferation, quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), western blot, dual luciferase, cell cycle, 5-Ethynyl-2′-Deoxyuridine (EdU) incorporation, transwell, RNA pull-down, tube formation and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays. Results: In the present study, we found JPX was highly expressed in tissues of ESCC patients and different ESCC cell lines. Functional assays demonstrated that JPX promoted ESCC cell proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro and tumor growth in vivo. Moreover, we found JPX promoted ESCC mobility in vitro. Mechanistically, the results showed that JPX functions as a sponge of miR-516b-5p, which targets an oncogene vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) in ESCC cells. Interactions between miR-516b-5p and JPX or VEGFA were confirmed by luciferase reporter assays. Furthermore, inhibition of JPX significantly attenuated the cell growth and mobility ability of ESCC cells in vitro. In addition, miR-516b-5p overexpression abrogated JPX enhanced proliferation, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis of ESCC cells. Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that JPX played an important role in promoting ESCC progression via the miR-516b-5p/VEGFA pathway and might serve as a promising novel therapeutic target for ESCC patients.

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LncRNA GACAT3 promotes esophageal squamous cell carcinoma progression through regulation of miR-149 /FOXM1

10.21203/rs.3.rs-613114/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Min Su ◽

Jinming Tang ◽

Baihua Zhang ◽

Desong Yang ◽

Zhining Wu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽

Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽

Cell Carcinoma ◽

Squamous Cell ◽

Colony Formation ◽

Noncoding Rna ◽

Xenograft Model ◽

Luciferase Reporter ◽

Migration And Invasion ◽

Foxm1 Expression

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LncRNA FAM83H-AS1 promotes aerobic glycolysis and tumor progression by regulating miR-4684-5p/ZBTB38 axis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

10.21203/rs.3.rs-31503/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Cuijuan Qian ◽

Zhurong Xu ◽

Luyan Chen ◽

Yichao Wang ◽

Jun Yao

Keyword(s):

Cell Proliferation ◽

Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽

Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽

Cell Carcinoma ◽

Squamous Cell ◽

Aerobic Glycolysis ◽

Xenograft Model ◽

Luciferase Reporter ◽

Migration And Invasion ◽

Mouse Xenograft Model

Abstract Background: Dysregulation of lncRNAs is implicated in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) progression; However, the precise function of lncRNA FAM83H-AS1 in ESCC remains unknown. Methods: FAM83H-AS1, miR-4684-5p and ZBTB38 mRNA expressions were detected via qRT-PCR. ZBTB38, GLUT1 and LDH-A protein expressions were tested via Western blot. Cell proliferation, migration and invasion were evaluated via CCK-8 and transwell assay, respectively. A nude mouse xenograft model was used to investigate the role of FAM83H-AS1 in xenograft ESCC growth. The metabolic shift in ESCC cells was examined via glycolysis analysis. The interaction between FAM83H-AS1, miR-4684-5p and ZBTB38 was analyzed via computational algorithms, RNA pull-down, RIP and dual luciferase reporter assay. Results: We found that FAM83H-AS1 was upmodulated in ESCC cell lines. FAM83H-AS1 knockdown hampered ESCC cell proliferation, migration, invasion and aerobic glycolysis, while FAM83H-AS1 overexpression demonstrated the opposite effects. FAM83H-AS1 knockdown also delayed the tumor growth in vivo. Moreover, FAM83H-AS1 interacted with miR-4684-5p/ZBTB38 axis in ESCC cells. ZBTB38 overexpression or miR-4684-5p inhibition partially reversed the inhibitory effect of FAM83H-AS1 knockdown on cell migration, invasion and aerobic glycolysis in ESCC cells. Conclusion: Our present results indicate FAM83H-AS1 accelerated aerobic glycolysis and tumorigenesis of ESCC by sponging miR-4684-5p and triggering the expression of ZBTB38, providing new insights into mechanism of ESCC progression and therapeutic strategy.

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Circ-ZDHHC5 Accelerates Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Progression in vitro via miR-217/ZEB1 Axis

Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology ◽

10.3389/fcell.2020.570305 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Qian Wang ◽

Lili Yang ◽

Yanxin Fan ◽

Weiwei Tang ◽

Handong Sun ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽

Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽

Cell Carcinoma ◽

Squamous Cell ◽

Circular Rna ◽

Hybridization Experiment ◽

Luciferase Reporter ◽

Migration And Invasion

Circular RNA (circRNA) exhibits a covalently closed circular conformation and is structurally stable. Nevertheless, the precise effects exerted by circRNA in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains uncertain. circRNA was ascertained by a human circRNA array study and was confirmed by the quantification of reverse transcriptase polymerase reactions. A luciferase reporter, fluorescence in situ hybridization experiment was exploited to explore the interaction between circ-ZDHHC5 and miR-217. The function of circ-ZDHHC5 was determined by siRNA-mediated knockout of circ-ZDHHC5 in in vitro proliferation, migration, and invasion. circ-ZDHHC5, rather than linear ZDHHC5 mRNA, rose in the tissues of patients with ESCC, plasma, and ESCC cell lines in comparison with normal controls. Knockdown of circ-ZDHHC5 inhibited tumorigenesis in ESCC cells, and the co-transfection of si-circ-ZDHHC5 and miR-217 mimics further enhanced the above effect. Noticeably, the present study showed that circ-ZDHHC5 was an miR-217 sponge that modulated the expression of zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1), further facilitating ESCC tumorigenesis. As revealed by this study, circ-ZDHHC5 can act as a new potential circular biomarker for detecting ESCC. It provides a novel perceptivity for the treatment of ESCC suggesting that circ-ZDHHC5 could impact on ESCC progression by sponging miR-217 with ZEB1.

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