Life Sciences, Vol. 60, No. 18, pp. 16211633, 1997 copyright 0 1997 Elfcvier science Inc. Printed in the USA. Ail tights reserved m2A-32a5/97 f17.00 + .cxl
ELSEVIER
PII SOO24-3205(97)00129-X
RELATIONSHTP BETWEEN HEPATIC ANCIOTENSlNOGEN AND PLASMA ANGIOTENSINOGEN
mRNA EXPRESSION
IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC HEPATITIS
Daisuke Takahashi, Kouichi Tamura, Toshiaki Ushikubo, Akihiko Moriya, Nobuyuki
Yokoyama, Nobuo Nyui, Eiko Chiba, Kiyoshi Hibi, Tomoaki Ishigami,
Machiko Yabana, Masakazu Tomiyama, Second Department
Satoshi Umcmura and Masao Ishii
of Internal Medicine, Yokohama City University Yokohama 236, Japan. (Received
School of Mcdicinc,
in final form January 31, 1997)
Summary Recent association and linkage studies suggested that angiotensinogen may play an important role in the pathogcnasis of csscntial hypertension. However, thcrc is little information in human conccming a relationship between plasma angiotensinogcn levels and the angiotcnsinogen mRNA cxprcssion in the liver, which is the main production site of angiotensinogen. Therefore, the aim of this study was to cxaminc whether hepatic angiotensinogen gene expression determines the level of circulating angiotensinogen and the activity of the rcnin-angiotensin system in humans. The subjects were 36 patients with chronic hepatitis. Blood was collected from each patients for estimation of plasma renin activity, plasma angiotcnsinogcn and angiotensin II concentrations and several parameters of liver function. In addition, totai RNA was isolated from liver biopsy specimens, which wcrc then used to measure angiotensinogcn mRNA with Northern blot analysis. Levels of angiotensinogen mRNA were detected easily in the liver biopsy specimens in all of the patients. Hepatic angiotcnsinogen mRNA levels were positively correlated with plasma angiotensinogen levels (t=O.41, P-0.013). In contrast, hepatic angiotensinogen mRNA levels did not show any significant relationship with plasma renin activity, plasma angiotcnsin II concentration, histological subgroup of hepatitis, histological activity index and parameters of liver function tests. The present study demonstrated, for the fast time, that hcpatic angiotensinogcn mRNA lcvcls correlated with plasma angiotensinogcn concentration in humans. Key Word:
angiotensinogen,
gene expression, liver biopsy, renin-angiotensin
system
The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) plays a major role in the regulation of blood prcssurc and in the maintenance of water and clcctrolytc balance. Angiotcnsinogen is the substrate of renin in the RAS and is the precursor of angiotensin I (Ang I), which is clcavcd by angiotcnsincorrespondence to: S. Umcmura, Second Department of Internal Mcdicinc, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, 3-9, Fukuura, Kanazawa-Ku, Yokohama 236, Japan.
1624
converting
enzyme to generate angiotensin
important
question
extracellular
is whether
reservoir
angiotensinogen
angiotensinogen positively
angiotcnsinogcn
angiotensin
concentration
angiotensinogen
In
gene showed associations
angiotensinogen
conditions
addition,
(5,6) and several cardiovascular genes have
of the RAS. One
of the RAS or is solely an
studies
have
suggcstcd
(1). In epidemiological and blood
recent
genetic
diseases
sumsted
stem cells. These mice do not product
were
of hypertension
by homologous
gene expression (SHR),
thereby
hypertension
factors to the proximal
hypertension
oligonucleotides
suggesting
structural
thcrcby
of blood prcssurc and the
functional
mRNA in cultured
that combined action of several
in spontaneously
changes
it would be interesting
gene is
expression of the gene (16-19).
inhibited the hepatic angiotensinogen
played
in human tissues.
is the liver, and
region of the angiotensinogen
significantly
anglotensinogen or
gene expression
carried out in cultured
promoter
which selectively
pressure
that
(20,21). Therefore,
angiotensinogen
in mouse
and arc hypotensivc,
and differentiation-dependent
decreased blood
and/or
of the
(9-11). Furthermore,
recombination
in the maintenance
In addition, we have reported
for the cell type-specific antisense
to be human
( 12,13).
cells, mice, and rats (1,14,15).
Furthermore,
found of the
mechanism
there have been many studies of the expression of hepatic angiotensinogen
novel transcription
plasma
studies using the rat and
the transcriptional
It is generally accepted that the primary source of plasma angiotensinogen
important
that
of this gene with high blood
angiotensinogen
indicating the critical importance of angiotensinogen
studies,
analysts
(7,8). Transgenic that
mice have been developed
of hypertension
pressure
linkage
of the polymorphism
gene may be involved in the pathogenesis
angiotensinogen-deficient
development
Several
(p-angiotensinogen)
(2-4).
angiotensinogen
embryonic
regulates activity
pcptidcs.
and pathophysiological
correlated
pressure
of
11 (Ang II), the bioactivc product
has an active regulatory function in both circulating blood and local tissues under
both physiological
human
Vol. 60, No. la,1997
Angiotensinogen mRNA in Human Liver
a role known
hypertensive
rats
in the
pathogcnesis
of
occur
in response
to
to
to investigate
the regulation
of the
However, most of these studies have been
cells and animals and little is known
concerning
the expression
and
regulation of the angiotensinogen
gene in humans. This can in part be explained by the difficulties
in obtaining sufficient quantities
of viable tissue samples for RNA extraction and low abundance
of specific mRNAs investigate
in the tissues. These factors have made it very difficult in the past to
the mRNA expression
of the components
biological methods such as Northern and dot blotting chain reaction
(PCR) method
of the RAS using established Recently, the development
as a new and extremely sensitive
molecular
of polymerase
method to investigate
small
amounts of DNA and mRNA has made it possible to study the expression of RAS component genes in very small tissue samples such as human biopsies (22). However, several difficulties existed in the quantification modification
of the mRNAs of the RAS irrespective
of PCR such as competitive
anglotensinogen
of the new application
PCR. On the other hand, fortunately,
gene has been reported to be expressed in the liver abundantly
of
the human enott& to be
Vol. 60, No. lf3,1!W7
Angiotensinogen mRNA in Human Liver
analyzed by Northern blot analysis of human angiotensinogen
1625
(23). Thercforc, as a first step, we cxamincd the cxprcssion
mRNA in liver biopsy
specimens
and compared
the mRNA lcvcls
with the values of plasma RAS activity and several parameters of liver function.
Methods
Participants:
Liver biopsy
specimens
(eleven female and twenty-five Twenty-eight
patients
were obtained
from 36 patients
with chronic hepatitis
male, ranging in age from 22 to 65 years old; mean age, 46).
had a positive
serum test for anti-hepatitis
positive
serum test for hepatitis
hepatitis
B surface antigen, and the remaining one patient
C antibodies,
scvcn had a
B surface antigen and negative test for antibodies
and B virus markers. Specimens were obtained by needle biopsy of each specimen was used for histological analysis,
against
tested ncgativc for both hepatitis usingultrasonography.
C
A part
and the remainder was frozen immediately
in liquid nitrogen and stored at -80°C until it was used for RNA extraction. lnfonncd
consent
was obtained from each subject before inclusion in the study.
Biochemical assavs: angiotensinogen anticoagulant,
Blood samples for measurement
and plasma Ang II concentration centrifuged immediately
of the plasma renin activity
(p-Ang II) were withdrawn
incubated with 5 pl 8-hydroxyquinoline,
Tokyo,
5 pl dimercaprol
buffer (0.1 M, pH 7.4) containing
generated angiotensin
For measurement
hydroxyquinoline,
(24). Briefly, 50 pi plasma was
, 25 pl NazEDTA (4%) and 165 1.11
0.1% lysozyme,
for 1 h at 37°C
coefficients
of p-angiotensinogen,
of variation
were 4.8 and 5.9%,
100 pl plasma was incubated with 5 yl 8-
5 pl dimercaprol , 25 pl Na*EDTA, 50 pl human kidney renin, and 65 pl Tris-
acetate buffer containing radioimmunoassay
lysozyme
for 12 h at 37’C, and the generated Ang I was mcasurcd by
(24). The mean intra- and interassay
7.9%, respectively.
coefficients
of variation wcrc 6.8 and
p-Ang II was determined by a specific direct radioimmunoassay,
anti-Ang II antibody as described previously,
by
a high-performance
using an
without extraction procedure (25). The mean intra-
and interassay coefficients of variation were 5.3 and 6.5%, respectively. were measured
and the
I (Ang I) was measured with a RENIN RIABEAD Ang I kit (Dainabot Ltd,
Japan). The mean intra- and interassay
respectively.
p-
and the plasma separated and kept frozen at -80°C until
the time of assay. PRA was measured by radioimmunoassay
Tris-acetate
(PRA),
with EDTA as
liquid
chromatographic
Plasma cathecholamincs
(HPLC)
method
using
an
automated HPLC analyzer (Tosoh Co, Tokyo, Japan). Details on this HPLC analyzer have been previously 7.2%,
reported (26). The mean intra- and intcrassay
respectively.
arninotransferase concentrations
Serum total
protein,
albumin,
(AST), alanine aminotransferase
School of Medicine.
y-globulin,
of variation wcrc 4.9 and
total
cholesterol,
(ALT) and y-glutamyl transpeptidasc
were measured by routine methods
Yokohama City University
coefficients
in the Department
aspartatc (y-GTP)
of Clinical Chemistry,
Angiotensinogen mRNA in Human Liver
1626
Isolation of RNA and Northern blot analvsis: by the acid guanidinium
Total RNA was cxtractcd from frozen liver tissue
thiocyanatc-phenol-chloroform
Tokyo, Japan). RNA concentration
Vol. 60, No. l&l997
method using ISOGEN (Nippon
was mcasurcd by spcctrophotomctry
Gcnc,
(absorbance
at 260
nm). RNA samples (4 pg per lane) wcrc separated by electrophorcsis
on 1.2% agarosc gels after
denaturation
on to nylon
with
glyoxal and dimethylsulfoxide,
(GeneScreen Plus, DuPont-New
and transferred
England Nuclear, Wilmington
mcmbrancs
DE) in 10 x SSC (1 x SSC = 0.15
M NaCl and 0.015 M sodium citrate). After 1 h of prehybridization
in 1% sodium dodccyl
sulfate (SDS), 1 M NaCl , 10% Dextran and 200 pg/ml salmon sperm DNA, the blots were then hybridized
at 65°C for 18 h with ‘*P-labelled probes for human angiotcnsinogcn
gcnc (23). The
18s ribosomal RNA (18s rRNA) probe was used as the intcmal control for each spccimcn (27). After
washing,
angiotensinogen
the
tiltcrs
were
subjected
mRNA was quantified
Photo Film, Japan), and normalized
to
autoradiography
using a FUJIX
BIO-Imaging
at -70°C. Analyzer
Expression BAS2000
of (Fuji
to the signal generated by probing for the constitutivcly
expressed 18s rRNA.
w:
Liver biopsy
and lobular inflammation
specimens
were graded for their degree of pcriportal,
and fibrosis according to the scoring system
Coded specimens were examined by a pathologist
Statistical
analvsis:
Univariate
correlation
quantitative
For statistical
analysis
portal
of Knodell et al. (28).
who had no knowlcdgc of their source.
of differences
analysis was used for examination
among groups, ANOVA
was used.
of relations bctwccn paramctcrs.
data are expressed as mean + SEM. PcO.05 was considered statistically
All
significant.
Results
The patients consist of 6 chronic persistent
hepatitis
(CPH), 19 chronic active hepatitis 2a (CAH2A) patients and 11 chronic active hepatitis
2b (CAH2B)
patients.
sig@ficant differences
The characteristics were observed
systolic blood pressure,
of the 36 patients
among the histological
diastolic blood pressure,
concentrations
other hand, the histological
activity
in Table 1. No
in terms of age, sex,
platelet count, serum total protein, albumin, y-
globulin, total cholesterol, AST, ALT and ?(-GTP concentrations. plasma cathecholamine
arc summarized subgroups
In addition, PRA, p-Ang II and
were similar among the histological index (HAI) scores were significantly
subgroups.
On the
different among the
histological subgroups (P
mRNA cxnression in each histoloeical erouv: Expression of hcpatic
mRNA was easily detected in all of 36 patients by Northcm blot hybridization
The band
length was 2 kb which
corresponded
to the rcportcd size (23). The HA1
Vol. 60,No. 18,1997
1627
Angiotensinogen mRNA in Human Liver
TABLE Patient Demographic Characteristics
Age (years) Gender (percent male) Systolic blood pressure (mmHg) Diastolic blood pressure (mmHg) Platelet count (x 104/mm3) Serum total protein (g/dl) Serum albumin (g/dl) Serum g-globulin (%) Serum total cholesterol (mg/dl) Serum AST (IU/I) Serum ALT (lU/l) Serum y-GTP (WI) Plasma renin activity (ng/ml/h) Plasma angiotensin II (pg/ml) Plasma noradrenaline (ng/ml) Plasma adrenaline (ng/ml) Histological activity index score
1
by Pathological Classification
CPH (n=6)
CAHPA
49.2k7.7 83.3 126.7*5.7 76.3*3.7
45.6k3.1
CAHPB (kll)
(n=l9)
57.9 127.3k4.4 74.2k3.1
16.3k2.6 7.8kO.3
15.5fl
.l
7.2fO. 1
4.4fO. 1
4.1kO.l
21522.1
21.1kl.l 159.5+10.1
165.3f8.0
92.1Ik15.0 70.7k30.5 150.5k28.4 38.7k5.9 66.8&l 1.9 1.82kO.68 0.94kO.27 3.7k1.5 2.9f0.8 0.31f0.06 0.18+0.02 0.028+0.015 0.017kO.020 4.2kO.4 8.2kO.4 42.8k9.8
Entries are the mean + SEM or percent
as indicated.
P
43.5k3.5 0.73 81.8 0.30 139.3k7.2 0.26 83.5f5.7 0.27 14.3&l .6 0.73 0.11 7.61kO.2 4.3k0.2 0.16 0.97 21.6f2.0 173.3zk7.0 0.60 0.11 120.4k28.1 181.8zk38.9 0.20 111.8k26.3 0.06 0.14 0.69kO.19 2.1f0.6 0.59 0.2WO.04 0.06 0.22 0.029+0.006 12.0&l .l <0.0001
Significance of pathological
effect in a one- way analysis of variance is given by P.
described
by Knodell et al. can be used as a semiquantitative
method to assess the degree of
histological injury in chronic liver disease (28). For each patient, and some subindexes biopsy
sample.
expression
were compared
However,
the scores for the total index
with the levels of angiotensinogcn
the hepatic
angiotcnsinogen
of 18s rRNA did not show significant
mRNA
relationship
mRNA in the same
levels standardized with histological
to the
subgroup
hepatitis (CPH, CAH2A and CAH2B) (Fig. 2) and HA1 (total index and any subindexes) not shown).
In addition, p-angiotensinogen
did not show statistically
significant
with each histological subgroup (Fig 2), although p-angiotensinogen
significantly
serum
Furthermore,
albumin
angiotensinogen liver function
concentration
(~0.45,
+0.0059)
(Fig.
mRNA levels did not have any statistical such as platelet
count
and serum
3).
of
(data
relationships correlated with the
hcpatic
relation with several parameters
total protein,
cholesterol, AST, ALT and y-GTP levels (Fig. 3 and data not shown).
albumin,
y -globulin,
of
total
Angioteasinogen mRNA in Human Liver
1628
Vol. 60, No. l&1997
-28s
ATNG
-18s
18s rRNA
-18s
Fig. 1 Representative liver biopsy
Northern blot of total RNA (4 pgper specimens.
to the human performed
The upper panel shows a single 2.0 kb band corresponding
angiotensinogen
using a specific
angiotensinogen.
(ATNG)
[“PI-1abelled
mRNA
transcript.
complementary
The
analysis
was
DNA probe for human
The lower panel shows the band of the 18 S ribosomal RNA on the
same blots, obtained
by hybridizing
DNA probe for 18 S ribosomal angiotensinogen
lane) extracted from the human
with a specitic r’P]-labelled
DNA and used to normalize
complementary the abundance
of
mRNA. Relative ATNG mRNA levels were dctermincd as indicated
in the methods section. Henatic
anaiotensinoaen
mRNA
exnression
and nlasma
studies indicated that control of angiotensinogen activity of the RAS and that conditions had influences
on the intravascular
mRNA levels with parameters
standardization
to the expression
si~ificantly
hepatic angiotensinogen Ang II (Fig. 4).
nrofiles:
was particularly
which altered circulatingangiotensinogen
angiotensinogen correlated
renin-antiotensin
biosynthesis
RAS activity of 18s rRNA,
with p-angiotensinogen
(14,29).
Thus,
the hepatic
concentrations
we compared
of the plasma renin-angiotensin angiotensinogcn
Previous
relevant to the
the hepatic
system.
After
mRNA
levels
(i-=0.41, P=O.O13) (Fig 4). In contrast,
mRNA levels did not show any significant relationship
the
with PRA or p-
Vol. 60, No. 18, l!N7
1629
Angiotensinogen mRNA in Human Liver
A
B
2ooo
NS
0.7 NS -0
0.6
P e
1500 =
0.6
I
f
Q
$
0.4
g
0.3
‘Ooo
1E
g
600
0.2
g B
0.1
0
0
CAU2A
CPU
CPU
CAU2B
CAH2A
CAH2B
Fig. 2 (A) Effects
of the histological
CAH2A,chronic plasma
active hepatitis
angiotensinogen
difference
subgoups
in p-ATNG
histological subgroups the expression
2a; CAH2B,
concentration among
difference
subgroups.
p-ATNG
chronic
There
(relative
ATNG
ATNG
is not
subgroups.
on the hepatic angiotensinogen
in relative
persistent
hepatitis;
chronic active hepatitis
(p-ATNG).
the histological
of 185 rRNA
significant
(CPH,
2b) on the a significant
(B) Effects
of the
mRNA levels standardized
mRNA
mRNA
levels).
levels
There
among
to
is not
a
the histological
and relative ATNG mRNA levels were dctcrmincd as indicated
in the methods section.
B
A
2400-
r=o.l. kO.0059
i%
0 0
2999.
3
loo_
2
0.8’
E (1 5
0.6 .tsO
L
0 0
0.4 . .o
0
00
3.8
4.2
4.6
5.0
‘0 O
0
~0.21,. 3.4
0
,
5.4
3.4
Serum Albumln Concantmtion (gldl)
3.8
a00 O”
0
00 0 00
,
,
4.2
0 e
,
,
4.6
,
,
5.0
, 5.4
Serum Albumin Concontmtlon (gldl)
Fig. 3 (A)
Correlation
angiotensinogen the
two
variables
concentration expression
between concentration
the
(P;O.O059).
and the hepatic
serum
(p-ATNG). (B)
albumin
concentration
and
plasma
There is a significant correlation between Correlation
angiotensinogen
between
mRNA
the
serum
albumin
levels standardized
to the
of 18s rRNA (relative ATNG mRNA levels). There is not a significant
correlation between the two variables.
Strum albumin concentration,
p-ATNG
relative ATNG mRNA levels were determined as indicated in the methods section.
and
1630
Angiotensinogen mRNA in Human Liver
0.2
0.4 mktb
0.6 nffi
0.6 mRNA
1.0
0.2
0.6
0.6
~16th
bfd6
ATNO
0.6 mm
Vol. 60, No. lS,l!W7
1.0
02
0.4 -
t.wd6
0.6 ATNG
0.6 mRNA
1.0
Lrma
Fig. 4 (A) Correlation the expression
between
the hepatic angiotensinogen
of 18s rRNA (rclativc ATNG
mRNA lcvcls standardized
to
mRNA levels) and the plasma rcnin
activity (PRA). There is not a significant correlation between the two variables. (B) Correlation between
the hepatic angiotensinogen
mRNA levels standardized
to the
expression of 18s rRNA (relative ATNG mRNA levels) and the plasma angiotcnsin II concentration variables.
(p-Ang II). There is not a significant
(C) Correlation
standardized
between
to the expression
plasma angiotensinogen
the hepatic
correlation between the two
angiotensinogen
mRNA
levels
of 18s rRNA (relative ATNG mRNA levels) and the
concentration
(p-ATNG).
between the two variables (FO.013).
There is a significant
PRA, p-Ang II, p-ATNG
correlation
and relative ATNG
mRNA levels were determined as indicated in the methods section.
Discussion
In this study, we found, for the first time, that the steady-state angiotensinogen angiotensinogen healthy
subjects
correlated
with
(14). This would be consistent concentration
of angiotensinogen
showed
p-angiotensinogen
in humans.
level as well as serum albumin concentration
with serum albumin
biosynthesis mRNA
correlated
also partly
relationship
which may directly
with our results that p-angiotensinogen
mRNA and p-angiotensinogen
p-
was
the major site for
with
the parameters
of any liver function
or
is not clear. Hcpatic angiotensinogen
affect p-angiotensinogen,
may be associated
not only with
mRNA expression but also with total liver size and function.
explain the relatively
angiotensinogen
patients,
were reported to be lower than in
since the liver represented
histological findings. The actual reason for this dissociation production,
In cirrhotic
and albumin. In contrast, the levels of hepatic angiotensinogen
no significant
hepatic angiotensinogen
mRNA levels of hepatic
small degree of correlation
This may
between hepatic angiotensinogen
observed in this study. Since the correlation between the hepatic
mRNA levels and p-angiotensinogen
was not so strong, several factors other
Vol. 60, No. 18,1997
Angiotensinogen mRNA in Human Liver
than hcpatic angiotensinogen
cxprcssion may participate
Although a variety of factors arc supposed the exact contributions synthesized
angiotensinogen
involved
in the regulation of p-angiotensinogen.
affected on hypertension
was significantly
production
tissue and level of angiotcnsinogen Although
angiotensinogen
the
level might result from an incrcasc in angiotcnsinogcn
gene expression
physiological
and
are not fully understood,
in adipocytes
fasting and refeeding
in a manner
irrespective of the lack of apparent
pathological
which parallels
adipocytc
adipogenic
angiotensinogen
in plasma
angiotensinogen
mRNA
angiotensinogen
was that tissue angiotensinogen expressions
gcnc
mRNA
by lcvcl
mRNA lcvcl (3 1). In
Rcccntly,
is regulated differently of hypertension concentration
WC have
in SHR and
is accompanied,
at least
as well as cardiac and
one possible
expression and p-angiotcnsinogen
such as adipogenic and/or cardiovascular
reasons why
the
was not so strong
angiotensinogcn
gcnc
might affect p-angiotensinogen.
In conclusion, liver biopsy
adipogenic
was modulated
(data not shown).
in SHR (32). Therefore,
correlation between hepatic angiotensinogen
the
between plasma lcvcls of angiotensinogcn
rats and indicated that the development with increases
differentiation
angiotensinogen
changes in the hepatic angiotensinogen
of tissue
of
regulated and blood pressure
mass index of the patients
that the expression
significance
in adipose
study showed that angiotensinogcn
this study, we could not find significant relationships
Wistar-Kyoto
was expressed abundantly
increased during adipogenic
a previous
was nutritionally
and body weight or body
For example, several
(30) and Bloem ct al. showed that p-
derived from body fat since angiotcnsinogen
temporally,
which is
related to body mass index in human children (4). They
suggested that a higher p-angiotensinogen
reported
Tissue angiotcnsinogcn,
in several tissues besides the liver such as the brain, heart, aortae, adrenals, kidneys
reports indicated that obesity
expression
in the regulation of p-angiotcnsinogcn.
to bc related to the regulation of p-angiotcnsinogcn,
of each factor remain to bc determined.
and fat, is also possibly
(17,lg).
1631
we have successfully
specimens
had statistically
detected angiotensinogen
by Northern blot analysis.
significant
relationship
mRNA expression in human
The hepatic angiotcnsinogen
with p-angiotensinogen
irrespective
mRNA levels of the lack of
association with PRA and p-Ang II. Although definitive results awaits further testing in a larger population,
these findings provide important
hepatic angiotensinogen
gene may contribute
insights into potential
relationships
to the regulation of p-angiotensinogen
whereby
the
in humans.
AcknowledPements This work was supported in part by grants from the Ministry of Education, Science, and Culture of Japan, the Uehara Memorial Foundation, and Yokohama Foundation for Advancement of Medical Science. Dr. Kouichi Tamura is supported by a Research Fellowship of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science for Young Scientists. We would like to express our thanks to N. Inaba for excellent secretarial help.
1632
Angiotensbgen
mRNA in Human Liver
Vol. 60, No. l&l997
Rcfercnces
4. 5.
6. 7.
8.
9.
10.
11. 12. 13.
14. 15. 16. 17. 18.
19.
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