Abstract
Aims: To investigate the variations of OX40 (tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, member 4) and its ligand OX40L genes and their relationships with serum lipids and apolipoproteins (apo) levels in Chinese healthy individuals and patients with endogenous hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) in the Chengdu area. Methods: The genotypes and allele frequencies of the rs3850641 and rs17568 polymorphisms in the OX40L and OX40 genes were assayed by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism. Results: In the case–control study, which included 126 HTG subjects and 206 normal control subjects, the frequencies of the G allele at the rs3850641 site and the G allele at the rs17568 site in the patients were similar to those observed in the controls. In the HTG group, subjects with G allele carriers of the rs3850641 site had lower serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and apo AI levels as compared to those of genotype AA. In the case group, subjects with G allele carriers of the rs17568 site had higher serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, while controls had lower serum total serum cholesterol and LDL-C levels. Conclusion: These results suggest that the rs3850641 and rs17568 polymorphisms in the OX40L and OX40 genes are associated with some of the lipid and lipoprotein variations in subjects with endogenous HTG and/or in the general population of Han Chinese.
Introduction
Many epidemiological studies have shown that there is an inverse relationship between the plasma high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol (HDL-C) level and the risk of premature atherosclerotic coronary heart disease (Boden, 2000). The genetic components determining the HDL levels are not fully elucidated. Previous studies suggested that altered plasma HDL-C levels have mainly been associated with the gene mutations or polymorphisms such as those in the cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) gene (Boekholdt and Thompson, 2003), the apolipoprotein (apo) AI gene (the major apolipoprotein of HDL particles) (Dastani et al., 2006), the lecithin:cholesterol acyl transferase (LCAT) gene (Kuivenhoven et al., 1997a), the lipoprotein lipase (LPL), and hepatic lipase (HL) genes (Kuivenhoven et al., 1997b; Cohen et al., 1999), and the ATP-binding cassette A1 gene (ABCA1) (Alrasadi et al., 2006). Recent study suggested that other genes such as the OX40L/OX40 system showed a relationship with the HDL levels in addition to their independent relationship to the CHD risk in mouse and human (Wang et al., 2005).
The OX40 ligand (OX40L, CD134L, and TNFSF4) is a member of the TNF superfamily that is expressed on activated B cells and dendritic cells (Godfrey et al., 1994; Ohshima et al., 1997). OX40L interacts with its receptor OX40 (CD134), which is expressed on activated T cells (AI-Shamkhani et al., 1997). OX40L/OX40 is considered to act as a costimulator of T cells (Stuber and Strober, 1996; Flynn et al., 1998), and has the potential to enhance inflammatory response in atherosclerosis plaques, that could be related to the immunoregulatory role of this pathway.
In a mouse model, Wang et al. (2005) found that OX40L is the gene underlying the AS-susceptibility locus 1 earlier identified by Paigen et al. (1987). In human subjects, the two case–control studies showed that genetic variations in OX40L are associated with MI and severity of CHD, and a haplotype (110NN) of the OX40L SNPs had a significantly higher plasma HDL-C levels than those carrying other haplotypes (Wang et al., 2005). These authors further found that the genetic variation in other parts of the OX40L/OX40 signaling pathway, such as rs17568 of the OX40 gene, is also implicated in MI, and the variant of OX40 gene such as rs17568 affects HDL levels in the population (Ria et al., 2006). In the MDR model, there is an interaction between two SNPs in OX40L (rs3850641 and rs10912564) and one SNP in OX40 (rs17568) in the disease phenotype (Wang et al., 2005).
Up to now, there are few studies concerning the effects of the OX40L and OX40 variants on intermediate phenotypes (such as lipid and lipoprotein levels) in other populations, besides a few studies on lipid levels in the Western populations (Wang et al., 2005; Ria et al., 2006). Therefore, it is important to investigate whether there is any effect of the polymorphisms on lipid profiles in the Chinese population, which is the largest population group in the world with different genetic background, diet, lifestyle, and environment. Moreover, due to the fact that patients with hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) were characterized by elevated serum triglyceride and reduced HDL-C levels, it is a matter of significance to investigate whether the OX40L and OX40 polymorphisms influence serum lipid and apolipoprotein levels in the population.
The aim of the present study was to detect the OX40L and OX40 gene polymorphisms with the relation to lipid profiles in the Chinese population. In addition, we also aimed to observe the genetic effect of the genes on the lipid levels of HTG subjects, who showed elevated triglycerides (TG) and low levels of HDL-C.
Materials and Methods
Subjects
For this study, blood samples were taken from 206 volunteers (127 men and 79 women, aged 51±11 years) who were taking part in a routine health examination at three hospitals of the Sichuan University and the Sichuan Normal University in Chengdu, China. All these subjects were current or retired staff members of the Universities, and apparently healthy and unrelated individuals with serum TG<1.82 mM (TG<160 mg/dL) and total serum cholesterol (TC)<6.21 mM (TC<240 mg/dL). After a 12- to 14-h overnight fast, the blood from each individual was collected and analyzed for serum concentrations of lipids, lipoproteins, and apolipoproteins. For the case–control study, 126 HTG subjects (88 men and 38 women, aged 52±15 years), consisting of serum TG ≥2.26 mM (TG ≥200 mg/dL) and TC <6.21 mM (TC<240 mg/dL) subjects were used as patients in the case–control study. The internal implications, such as CHD, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension, in the case group were also excluded. The informed consent was obtained, and the study was approved by the appropriate Institutional Review Board.
Quantitative analysis
TC and TG were measured by an enzymatic method (kits; Zhong Sen Co.). HDL-C was determined after sodium phosphotungstate/magnesium chloride precipitation of low-density lipoprotein by polyvinyl sulfate. Serum apo A-I, apo A-II, apo B100, apo C-II, apo C-III and apo E were quantified by a radial immunodiffusion kit developed by our laboratory (Liu, 1995). Low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) was calculated using the Friedewald formula.
DNA extraction and genotyping
Genomic DNA was isolated from 500 μL peripheral blood according to the method of Erlich (1989). The polymerase chain reactions (PCRs) were performed in a final volume of 25 μL containing 10% 10× PCR buffer, 2 mM MgCl2, 0.2 mM dNTPs, 0.6 U Taq DNA polymerase (MBI Fermentas), and sense and antisense primers, 0.5 μM of each. We used 100 ng DNA per PCR reaction. The investigated DNA sequences were amplified by the following primers: 5′-CAC ACA TTG CTC CGC TAT TAT T-3′ as a sense primer (P1), and 5′-AGT CAC TGA TAT ACC TGG TCT ACC AA-3′as an antisense primer (P2) for Mun I (Fermentas Biolabs; rs3850641 site); 5′-CCA GCC ACG CAG CCC CAG AA-3′ as a sense primer (P3) and 5′-CTG GGT GGG GTC CAC AGG AGG G-3′ as an antisense primer (P4) for Mbo II (Fermentas Biolabs; rs17568 site). These primers yielded a PCR product of 188 base pairs (bp) and 213 bp spanning the Mun I and Mbo II polymorphic sites, respectively. Amplifications were carried out in the MyCycler™ thermal cycler system (Bio-Rad) under the following conditions: introductory denaturation at 94°C for 5 min, then 30 amplification cycles, denaturation at 94°C for 30 s, primers binding (annealing) at 55°C (rs3850641 site) or 67°C (rs17568 site) for 30 s, and chain elongation at 72°C for 30 s. PCR ended with 7-min chain elongation at 72°C. Amplification products were digested with the restrictive enzyme Mun I or Mbo II (MBI Fermentas). For Mun I site, in the case of wild type (genotype AA), the PCR product was digested into DNA fragments of 160 and 28 bp. The mutant G allele did not undergo digestion with the enzyme Mun I. For Mbo II site, in the case of mutant genotype (genotype GG), the PCR product was digested into DNA fragments of 183 and 30 bp. The wild-type A allele did not undergo digestion with the enzyme Mbo II. DNA fragments obtained after respective restrictive enzyme digestion and the DNA size marker were electrophoresed on a 10% polyacrylamide gel and stained with ethidium bromide. For result documentation, gel pictures were taken under ultraviolet light. DNA sequencing was used to confirm results on PCR–restriction fragment length polymorphism genotyping assays.
Statistical analysis
Allele frequencies of the OX40L/OX40 polymorphisms were estimated by gene counting. The Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium was tested in cases and controls by a chi-square test. The allele and genotype frequencies were compared between cases and controls by chi-square analysis. To evaluate the effect of the OX40/OX40L polymorphisms on the variation of quantitative variables of lipid and apolipoprotein, an ANOVA was carried out. The relation between the rs3850641 and rs17568 alleles in the OX40L and OX40 genes and the dependent variables (lipid and apolipoprotein) was studied using correlation analysis and partial correlations analysis (adjusting for covariables: age, gender, and body–mass index). Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS statistical software. Significance was assumed for p<0.05.
Results
Baseline characteristics of the participants in the population
It shows a typical characteristics of type IV hyperlipoproteinemia (endogenous HTG) in lipid and apolioprotein profile in a case group when compared with normal controls (Table 1). In case group, the serum TG level is increased and HDL-C decreased, and apo B100, apo C-II, apoC-III, and apo E increased, and apo A-I and LDL-C decreased (p<0.01, respectively).
Table 1.
Clinical and Biochemical Characteristics of Control and Hypertriglyceridemia Groups
| Control group (n=206) | HTG group (n=126) | |
|---|---|---|
| Age (years) | 50.6±11.0 | 51.7±15.1 |
| Gender (M/F) | 127/79 | 88/38 |
| BMI (kg/m2) | 23.0±3.2 | 25.0±2.7a |
| TG (mM) | 1.19±0.37 | 3.46±1.54a |
| TC (mM) | 5.02±0.67 | 5.12±0.75 |
| HDL-C (M) | 1.39±0.49 | 0.98±0.26a |
| LDL-C (M) | 3.11±0.67 | 2.70±0.80a |
| apoA-I (mg/dL) | 131±23 | 115±22a |
| apoA-II (mg/dL) | 27.94±4.26 | 28.04±4.84 |
| apoB100 mg/dL) | 81.89±56.43 | 93.15±15.90a |
| apoC-II (mg/dL) | 4.59±1.66 | 8.51±3.54a |
| apoC-III (mg/dL) | 11.23±2.97 | 19.32±7.42a |
| apoE (mg/dL) | 4.26±1.11 | 6.08±2.22a |
Compared with control group, ap<0.01.
HDL-C, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol; LDL-C, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol; HTG, hypertriglyceridemia; TC, total serum cholesterol; TG, triglycerides.
OX40/OX40L allele frequencies
The PCR-amplified fragments (containing rs3850641 and rs17568 polymorphic sites of OX40L and OX40 genes, respectively) from each sample was digested with the restriction enzyme Mun I for the rs3850641 site and Mbo II for the rs17568 site, and analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (Figs. 1 and 2).
FIG. 1.
Polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis of rs3850641 site of the OX40L gene. The three patterns represent the A- and G-allele-containing genotypes, namely the homozygous AA and GG forms and the heterozygous AG form. Lane M shows the size markers. Lanes 1 and 4 show the AA genotype; 2 and 3, the AG genotype; and 5, the GG genotype.
FIG. 2.
PCR-RFLP analysis of rs17568 site of the OX40 gene. The three patterns represent the A- and G-allele-containing genotypes, namely the homozygous AA and GG forms and the heterozygous AG form. Lane M shows the size markers. Lanes 1 and 2 show the AG genotype; 3 and 5, the AA genotype; and 4, the GG genotype.
Genotypes of the rs3850641 and rs17568 polymorphisms were found to be in the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium in both the HTG and control groups, respectively. The frequency data are presented in Table 2. The A and G allele frequencies of the OX40L gene at rs3850641 in HTG and normal control groups were 0.833, 0.167, and 0.845, 0.155, respectively; the A and G allele frequencies of the OX40 gene at rs17568 in HTG and the control groups were 0.694, 0.306 and 0.731, 0.269, respectively. Both G allele frequencies of the two polymorphisms in HTG subjects were not different from those in the normal controls, respectively (p>0.05).
Table 2.
Genotype and Allele Frequency for the rs17568 and rs3850641 Sites of the OX40/OX40L Genes in Control and Hypertriglyceridemia Groups
| |
Frequency |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Control (n=206) | HTG (n=126) | Total (n=332) | |
| OX40L rs3850641 | |||
| Genotype | |||
| AA | 0.709 (146) | 0.698 (88) | 0.705 (234) |
| AG | 0.272 (56) | 0.270 (34) | 0.271 (90) |
| GG | 0.019 (4) | 0.032 (4) | 0.024 (8) |
| Allele | |||
| A | 0.845 (348) | 0.833 (210) | 0.840 (558) |
| G | 0.155 (64) | 0.167 (42) | 0.160 (106) |
| OX40 rs17568 | |||
| Genotype | |||
| AA | 0.524 (108) | 0.460 (58) | 0.500 (166) |
| AG | 0.413 (85) | 0.468 (59) | 0.434 (144) |
| GG | 0.063 (13) | 0.071 (9) | 0.066 (22) |
| Allele | |||
| A | 0.731 (301) | 0.694 (175) | 0.717 (476) |
| G | 0.269 (111) | 0.306 (77) | 0.283 (188) |
The distribution of the rs17568 and rs3850641 polymorphisms agrees with the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium in both the control and HTG groups.
In addition, the frequency of the G allele at rs3850641 site of the OX40L gene was not significantly different from that reported in a Swedish population (0.155 vs. 0.121, p>0.05) (Wang et al., 2005) and U.S. population (0.155 vs. 0.16, p>0.05) (Mälarstig et al., 2008). There is no significant difference of the frequency of the G allele at rs17568 site of the OX40 gene between Chinese (0.269) and either Swedish (0.23) (Ria et al., 2006) or Japanese (0.25) (Mashimo et al., 2008). These results suggested that racial difference among these populations was not evident at the rs3850641 and rs17568 sites of the genes.
Effects of polymorphic sites in the OX40/OX40L genes on serum concentration of lipids and apolipoproteins
Because of the relative small number of subjects with the GG (both rs3850641 and rs17568) genotype, heterozygotes and homozygotes for the G allele were pooled in the analysis.
To assess the possible impact of polymorphic sites in the OX40/OX40L genes on lipid metabolism, we analyzed the serum lipids and lipoprotein levels in different genotypes of the rs3850641 and rs17568 polymorphisms in both control and patient groups (Tables 3–4).
Table 3.
Mean Values (
of Serum lipid and Apolipoprotein Levels for rs3850641 Site of the OX40L Gene in the Control and Hypertriglyceridemia Groups
| |
Control |
HTG |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AA (n=146) | AG+GG (n=64) | AA (n=88) | AG+GG (n=38) | |
| TG (mM)a | 1.19±0.38 | 1.13±0.36 | 3.54±1.71 | 3.23±0.99 |
| TC (mM) | 5.03±0.66 | 4.96±0.69 | 5.18±0.73 | 4.96±0.77 |
| HDL-C (mM) | 1.34±0.35 | 1.51±0.72 | 1.00±0.28 | 0.89±0.24b |
| LDL-C (mM) | 3.13±0.65 | 2.92±0.97 | 2.53±0.92 | 2.57±0.75 |
| apoA-I (mg/dL) | 130±22.81 | 132.14±22.75 | 117.49±22.50 | 108.91±18.41b |
| apoA-II(mg/dL) | 28.32±6.20 | 27.94±4.70 | 28.53±5.37 | 26.77±3.11 |
| apoB100 (mg/dL) | 79.15±13.55 | 88.23±13.25 | 94.36±15.63 | 90.25±16.13 |
| apoC-II(mg/dL) | 4.73±1.68 | 4.23±1.55 | 8.69±3.17 | 8.08±7.93 |
| apoC-III (mg/dL) | 11.31±3.03 | 11.01±2.85 | 19.25±3.77 | 17.83±2.89 |
| apoE (mg/dL) | 4.36±1.13 | 4.03±1.02 | 6.27±2.35 | 5.65±1.82 |
| BMI(kg/m2) | 22.97±3.04 | 23.09±3.57 | 25.06±2.98 | 24.94±2.15 |
The relationships between the genotype and plasma HDL-C levels remained significant even with adjustment for age, gender, and BMI, whereas other values were similar after these adjustments.
Log-transformed TG values were used in the analysis.
Compared with genotype AA carriers in the same group, bp<0.05.
Table 4.
Mean Values (
of Serum Lipid and Apolipoprotein Levels for rs17568 Site of the OX40 Gene in Control and Hypertriglyceridemia Groups
| |
Control |
HTG |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AA (n=108) | AG+GG (n=98) | AA (n=58) | AG+GG (n=68) | |
| TG (mM)a | 1.21±0.35 | 1.14±0.39 | 3.60±1.52 | 3.32±1.53 |
| TC (mM) | 5.10±0.63 | 4.93±0.71b | 4.93±0.85 | 5.26±0.66 |
| HDL-C (mM) | 1.35±0.38 | 1.43±0.58 | 0.95±0.27 | 0.97±0.28 |
| LDL-C (mM) | 3.18±0.63 | 2.96±0.86b | 2.31±0.84 | 2.74±0.86b |
| apoA-I (mg/dL) | 130.63±20.74 | 131.64±24.72 | 114.11±22.16 | 115.00±21.52 |
| apoA-II(mg/dL) | 27.70±4.22 | 27.17±4.21 | 27.38±4.67 | 28.42±5.01 |
| apoB100 (mg/dL) | 78.20±10.85 | 77.60±15.92 | 93.90±17.63 | 92.21±15.06 |
| apoC-II(mg/dL) | 4.60±1.59 | 4.58±1.72 | 8.31±3.87 | 8.71±3.19 |
| apoC-III (mg/dL) | 11.42±2.84 | 11.05±3.09 | 19.42±8.74 | 19.19±6.00 |
| apoE (mg/dL) | 4.23±0.89 | 4.29±1.29 | 6.23±2.39 | 5.95±2.11 |
| BMI(kg/m2) | 22.93±2.79 | 23.05±3.63 | 24.50±2.64 | 25.28±2.81 |
The relationships between the genotype and plasma TC and LDL-C levels remained significant even with adjustment for age, gender, and BMI, whereas other values were similar after these adjustments.
Log-transformed TG values were used in the analysis.
Compared with genotype AA carriers in the same group, bp<0.05.
In the HTG group, subjects with G allele carriers of the rs3850641 site of the OX40L gene had a lower serum mean concentration of HDL-C and apo AI as compared to those of genotype AA (HDL-C: 0.89±0.24 mM vs. 1.00±0.28 mM, p<0.05; apo AI: 108.91±18.41 mg/dL vs. 117.49±22.50 mg/dL, p<0.05) (Table 3, Figure 3A, B). When we calculated the Pearson correlation coefficient, the G allele was significantly associated with lower HDL-C and apoA-I levels in univariate (p=0.027 and 0.041, respectively) and multivariable (p=0.035 and 0.044, respectively) analysis that adjusted for age, gender, and body–mass index in the group. In the case group, subjects who were G allele carriers of the rs17568 site of the OX40 gene had a higher serum mean concentration of LDL-C, while controls had lower serum TC and LDL-C levels (Table 4, Figure 4A–C). When we calculated the Pearson correlation coefficient, the G allele in the HTG group was significantly associated with higher LDL-C levels in univariate (p=0.039) and multivariable (p=0.042) analysis that adjusted for age, gender, and body–mass index, while controls were significantly associated with lower TC and LDL-C levels in univariate (p=0.011 and 0.004, respectively) and multivariable (p=0.008 and 0.024, respectively) analysis that adjusted for age, gender and body–mass index.
FIG. 3.
High-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and apoA-I levels by rs3850641 of the OX40L polymorphism ratios (allele carrier status). A significant decrease in the HDL-C (A) and apoA-I (B) levels in the hypertriglyceridemia group was identified in G-allele carriers (n=38) versus AA genotype carriers (n=88). The graphs plot individual data points with mean values representing mean and standard deviation (p=0.035 and 0.044, respectively, by multivariable analysis). Overlapping data points were not plotted.
FIG. 4.
Total serum cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels by rs17568 of OX40 polymorphism ratios (allele carrier status). A significant increase in the LDL-C (A) was identified in G-allele carriers (n=68) versus AA genotype carriers (n=58) in case group, while significant decrease in the TC (B) and LDL-C (C) levels in control group. The graphs plot individual data points with mean values representing mean and standard deviation. (p=0.042, 0.008 and 0.024, respectively, by multivariable analysis). Overlapping data points were not plotted.
Discussion
The human OX40L and OX40 genes appear to be polymorphic in the Western populations (Wang et al., 2005; Mälarstig et al., 2008). The present study shows that the allele frequencies of the OX40L rs3850641 SNP and the OX40 rs17568 SNP in the Chinese population (Han Chinese), which is the largest population group in the world, are also polymorphic, and in addition, racial differences in the distribution of alleles at the rs3850641 and rs17568 sites of the genes were not evident.
This study first detected the association of the OX40L and OX40 polymorphisms with an endogenous hypertriglyceridemia risk in a population. Our work does not provide evidence in favor of OX40L rs3850641 and OX40 rs17568 being candidate genes for conferring genetic susceptibility to HTG in a South-West Chinese population.
Previous studies (Wang et al., 2005) showed that Tnfsf4−/− mice fed either chow or a high-fat diet had higher levels of plasma total cholesterol and HDL-C than did controls, and human subjects with a haplotype (110NN) of the OX40L SNPs had significantly higher plasma HDL-C levels than those carrying other haplotypes. In a recent study, Ria et al. (2006) in human subjects demonstrated that G allele carriers of rs17568 of the OX40 gene displayed a lower HDL-C concentration in a Swedish MI case–control study. Our patients with HTG featured decreased HDL-C levels with higher serum TG showed a lower serum mean concentration of HDL-C and apo AI, the major component of HDL-C, in G allele carriers as compared to those of genotype AA at the rs3850641 site in the OX40L gene, suggesting that this polymorphism is associated with HDL-C and apo AI levels in HTG subjects. In addition, the patients with G allele carriers had a higher serum mean concentration of LDL-C compared to those of genotype AA at the rs17568 site in the OX40 gene. Our study extended the previous findings that genetic components of the OX40L/OX40 system were associated with some of the lipid and/or lipoprotein concentrations in HTG individuals in addition to their suggested relation with HDL-C levels and CHD risk in Western populations. Whether these polymorphisms contribute to lipid alterations associated with other metabolic disorders, and thus potential CHD risk in our population, awaits additional studies.
The control samples of the present study offered the opportunity of studying genetic determinants of lipid levels in Asian Chinese population-based samples, not selected in terms of HTG. The control subjects showed a significantly lower serum TC and LDL-C levels in G allele carriers, of the rs17568 site of the OX40 gene compared with AA homozygotes. We did not find that the rs3850641 site of the OX40L gene contributes to significant variations of lipid levels in the control population at large. As far as we know, this is the first study of the two gene variants on lipid levels in an oriental general population, and this result suggested that the polymorphisms of the OX40 gene, rather than the OX40L gene, might play a role in determining some of the lipid levels in normal Han Chinese.
Although up to now the exact relationship between the OX40L and OX40 system and CHD risk or intermediate phenotypes such as lipid levels was not well defined, the data currently available have indicated that OX40L and OX40 might be related to some lipid components (TC, HDL-C, and LDL-C), which link to the risk of disease (CHD).
Conclusion
The present study provides evidence that rs3850641 and rs17568 polymorphisms in the OX40L and OX40 genes are associated with some of the lipid and lipoprotein variations in subjects with endogenous HTG and/or the general population in Han Chinese. However, these polymorphisms are not associated with the risk of HTG in the population. Studies in an expanded sample will draw further conclusions.
Acknowledgments
This work was supported by a grant from the National Natural Sciences Foundation of China (No.39770322), and Research Seed Fund from West China Second Hospital of Sichuan University (to HB). The authors thank patients with HTG and controls who donated blood samples for this study.
Author Disclosure Statement
No competing financial interests exist.
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