Neoadjuvant sintilimab plus chemotherapy in EGFR-mutant NSCLC: Phase 2 trial interim results (NEOTIDE/CTONG2104).

The clinical efficacy of neoadjuvant immunotherapy plus chemotherapy remains elusive in localized epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Here, we report interim results of a Simon's two-stage design, phase 2 trial using neoadjuvant sintilimab with carboplatin and nab-paclitaxel in resectable EGFR-mutant NSCLC. All 18 patients undergo radical surgery, with one patient experiencing surgery delay. Fourteen patients exhibit confirmed radiological response, with 44% achieving major pathological response (MPR) and no pathological complete response (pCR). Similar genomic alterations are observed before and after treatment without influencing the efficacy of subsequent EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in vitro. Infiltration and T cell receptor (TCR) clonal expansion of CCR8+ regulatory T (Treg)hi/CXCL13+ exhausted T (Tex)lo cells define a subtype of EGFR-mutant NSCLC highly resistant to immunotherapy, with the phenotype potentially serving as a promising signature to predict immunotherapy efficacy. Informed circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) detection in EGFR-mutant NSCLC could help identify patients nonresponsive to neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy. These findings provide supportive data for the utilization of neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy and insight into immune resistance in EGFR-mutant NSCLC.

Functions of Bombyx mori cathepsin L-like in innate immune response and anti-microbial autophagy.

Cathepsins belongs to the cysteine protease family, which are activated by an acidic environment. They play essential biological roles in the innate immunity and development of animals. Here, we identified a 62 kDa cathepsin L-like protease from the silkworm Bombyx mori. It contained putative conserved domains, including an I29 inhibitor domain and a peptidase C1A domain. The expression analysis revealed that cathepsin L-like was highly produced in the fat body, and 20-hydroxyecdysone (20 E) induced its expression. After challenge with three different types of heat-killed pathogens (Escherichia coli, Beauveria bassiana, and Bacillus cereus), the mRNA levels of cathepsin L-like significantly increased and displayed variable expression patterns in the immune tissues, suggesting its potential role in the innate immune response. The suppression of cathepsin L-like altered the expression of immune-related genes associated with the Toll and IMD pathway. Besides, autophagy-related genes such as Atg6, Atg8, VAMP2, Vps4, and syntaxin expression were also altered, indicating that cathepsin L-like regulates innate immunity and autophagy. Fluorescence microscopic analysis exhibited that cathepsin L-like was localized in the cytoplasm, and it was activated and dispersed throughout the cytoplasm and nucleus following the induction of anti-microbial autophagy. Altogether, our data suggest that cathepsin L-like may regulate the innate immune response and anti-microbial autophagy in the silkworm, B. mori.

Author Correction: Characterization of the Complete Mitochondrial Genome of Leucoma salicis (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) and Comparison with Other Lepidopteran Insects.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Syntheses, characterization, DNA/HSA binding ability and antitumor activities of a family of isostructural binuclear lanthanide complexes containing hydrazine Schiff base.

Three dinuclear lanthanide complexes, [Ln2(L)2(µ3-OAc)4(H2O)2]⋅2H2O (Ln = La (1), Eu (2) and Dy (3), HL = N'-(2-hydroxybenzylidene) nicotinohydrazide), have been synthesized and characterized by IR, elemental analysis and X-ray single-crystal diffraction. Crystallographic study revealed that the representative complex 1 displays a discrete dinuclear structure with a distorted tricapped trigonal prismatic geometry around La(III) ion. The interaction of complexes 1-3 with CT-DNA was investigated by absorption spectra, fluorescence quenching and viscosity, which reveals that the complexes bind to CT-DNA with a moderate intercalative mode. The complexes exhibited obvious DNA cleavage activities in the presence of H2O2. All complexes could bind to human serum albumin (HSA) with medium affinity through static mode; thus, HSA could effectively transport complexes. Furthermore, three complexes exhibited specific cytotoxicity to A549 cancer cells in micromole magnitude than other cancer cells tested and less toxicity than cisplatin for normal human cells HUVEC, in which massive cell apoptosis was induced by complexes through producing DNA damage and suppressing DNA synthesis.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

A highly selective colorimetric and fluorescent probe for quantitative detection of Cu2+/Co2+: The unique ON-OFF-ON fluorimetric detection strategy and applications in living cells/zebrafish.

Identifying and detecting similar target cations through combining "turn on" and "turn off" fluorescence mechanism is effective and challenging. Now a new colorimetric and ON-OFF-ON fluorescent probe N'-((7-(diethylamino)-2-oxo-2H-chromen-3-yl)methylene)-3-hydroxy-2-naphthohydrazide (L) was reported, which could detect Cu2+ and Co2+ in phosphate buffered CH3CH2OH-H2O solvent system. With the assistance of glutathione and pH adjustment, a unique ON-OFF-ON fluorescence detection strategy could be achieved for distinguishing Cu2+ and Co2+. The emission of probe could recover from the L-Cu2+ and L-Co2+ system by addition of GSH or adjusting pH value to 4, respectively, which is due to the abolishment of paramagnetic Cu2+/Co2+. Based on fluorescence titration experiments, the limit of detection was determined as 3.84 × 10-9 M and 4.55 × 10-9 M for Cu2+ and Co2+, respectively. Meanwhile, the detection limit reached 6.21 × 10-8 M for Cu2+ and 6.96 × 10-8 M for Co2+ according to absorbance signal output. Fast recognition of Cu2+/Co2+ can be achieved by obvious color changes from green to colorless under UV light, as well as from yellow to orange-red in room light. The binding mode of L toward Cu2+ and Co2+ have been systematically studied by Job's plot analysis, ESI-MS, IR and density functional theory calculations. Most strikingly, further practical applications of the probe L in fluorescence imaging were investigated in MCF-7 cells and zebrafish due to its low cytotoxicity and good optical properties, suggesting that L could serve as a fluorescent sensor for tracking Cu2+ and Co2+in vivo.

Hydrogen Storage, Magnetism and Electrochromism of Silver Doped FAU Zeolite: First-Principles Calculations and Molecular Simulations.

The complex configuration, H2 adsorption binding energy, magnetic, and optical properties of FAU zeolites with Ag cations loaded by ion exchange in the vacant dielectric cavities were investigated by employing the first-principles calculations with all-electron-relativistic numerical atom-orbitals scheme and the Metropolis Monte Carlo molecular simulations. The visible absorption spectrum peaked at distinct wavelengths arranging from red or green to blue colors when changing the net charge load, due to the produced various redox states of Ag cations exchanging at multiple Li⁺-substituted sites. The spin population analyses indicate the ferrimagnetic coupling between Al⁻O⁻Si framework and Ag cations originates from the major ferromagnetic spin polarization in Ag cation cluster coordinating with sodalite cages, with the net spins appreciably depending on the Ag content and exchange site. The H2 adsorption capacities and binding energies represent significant dependence on the content, location, and electronic property of Ag cations introduced into the FAU zeolites. The evident decrease of H2 adsorption binding energy with increased loading concentration demonstrates repulsive interaction between H2 molecules and heterogeneous adsorption configuration on Ag cations. The adsorption sites of H2 sorted by the binding energy with different adsorption configurations were correlated with exchange sites of Ag cations under different Ag loading to comprehend the H2 adsorption mechanism.

Characterization of the complete mitochondrial genome of Biston marginata (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) and phylogenetic analysis among lepidopteran insects.

The complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of Biston marginata (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) was determined and annotated. The circular genome is 15,470bp long and it contains the entire set of 37 genes usually present in lepidopteran mitogenomes. The nucleotide composition of the genome is highly A+T biased, accounting for 81.20%, with a slightly positive AT skewness (0.028), indicating the occurrence of more As than Ts, as found in other Geometridae species. Except for cox1 gene starts with non-canonical initial codon CGA, all protein-coding genes start with ATN codon. Three of the 13 PCGs (protein coding gene) had an incomplete termination codon, T or TA, while the others terminated with TAA. All tRNA genes are predicted to fold into typical clover-leaf secondary structure, except for the trnS1 (AGN), in which the dihydrouridine (DHU) arm could not form a stable stem-loop structure. The A+T-rich region of 343bp is comprised of non-repetitive sequences, but have several distinctive features, including the motif "ATAGA" followed by a 19bp poly-T stretch, a microsatellite-like (TA)7 element next to the ATTTA motif. The phylogenetic analyses support the view that the B. marginata is closely related to the Biston pantrinaria, and confirm that Biston marginata belongs to the family Geometridae.

Cathepsin L-like protease can regulate the process of metamorphosis and fat body dissociation in Antheraea pernyi.

Cathepsins are a group of protease, located in lysosome and play a vital role in physiological process. Here, we reported cathepsin L-like protease (Ap-cathL), which contained an open reading frame of 1155 bp and encoding 385 amino acid residues protein. The I29 inhibitor domain and peptidase C1A (clan CA of cysteine proteases, papain family C1 subfamily) putative conserved domains were detected in Ap-cathL. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis revealed that Ap-cathL highly expressed in the fat body and midgut. The high expression during the molting stage, pupal stage and following 20E (20-hydroxyecdysone) treatment indicated that it maybe involved in the process of molting and metamorphosis. In addition, depletion of Ap-cathL influenced the expression of apoptosis pathway related genes. The protease inhibitor and RNA interference experiments showed that Ap-cathL was involved in the fat body dissociation of A. pernyi. These results suggest that Ap-cathL may involve in the process of metamorphosis and fat body dissociation of A. pernyi.

Suppressor of cytokine signaling 6 can enhance epidermal growth factor receptor signaling pathway in Bombyx mori (Dazao).

The SOCS (Suppressor of cytokine signaling) family members are a potential negative regulator of cytokine signaling pathway and play a key role to maintain immunological functions in animals. SOCS-6 is an important member of the SOCS family, however the functions of this gene have rarely been explored among eukaryotes. Herein, we cloned and expressed SOCS-6 gene from Bombyx mori (Dazao) (BmSOCS-6), and anti-rabbit antibodies were prepared using purified recombinant BmSOCS-6 protein. Under normal physiological conditions, the BmSOCS-6 expression was observed at varied levels in six tissues, with most greatly expressed in fat body and hemocytes. After immune challenge with viral, fungal and bacterial pathogens, the BmSOCS-6 showed distinctly varied expression patterns in tissue, time and microbe dependent manner. By contrast, recombinant BmSOCS-6 protein strongly enhanced the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathway related genes, while the depletion of BmSOCS-6 by double stranded RNA suppressed their production. Altogether we concluded that BmSOCS-6 may improve the efficiency of EGFR signaling pathway in B. mori (Dazao).

Suppressor of cytokine signaling 2-12 regulates antimicrobial peptides and ecdysteroid signaling pathways in Bombyx mori (Dazao).

Suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS) are a potent negative regulator of diverse cytokine-related responses to maintain various physiological processes in animals. Here, we obtained the SOCS2-12 gene sequence of Bombyx mori (Dazao) (BmSOCS2-12) from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) to study its expression profile in different tissues, as well as in the immune tissues following larval exposure to pathogens. Further, we investigated the role of BmSOCS2-12 in producing antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and as a regulator of ecdysteroid signaling transduction. The quantitative real-time PCR analysis revealed unequal transcript levels of BmSOCS2-12 in the different tissues, however the gene's expression was highest in those of fat body and hemocyte. The challenge with pathogens significantly upregulated the transcript level of BmSOCS2-12 in both fat body and hemocyte when compared with the control. By contrast, recombinant BmSOCS2-12 protein injections strongly suppressed the expression of AMPs, while the knockdown of BmSOCS2-12 by double-stranded RNA enhanced their production. Administration of 20-hydroxyecdysone significantly downregulated the BmSOCS2-12 expression in fat body, and the depletion of BmSOCS2-12 enhanced the transcript levels of 20-hydroxyecdysone-responsive genes at 48 h. Altogether, BmSOCS2-12 may have multiple functional roles in the physiology of B. mori (Dazao), since it negatively regulates the expression of AMPs and ecdysteroid signaling transduction.

Cathepsin O is involved in the innate immune response and metamorphosis of Antheraea pernyi.

Cathepsins are key members of mammalian papain-like cysteine proteases that play an important role in the immune response. In this study, a fragment of cDNA encoding cathepsin O proteinase (ApCathepsin O) was cloned from Antheraea pernyi. It contains an open reading frame of 1170bp and encodes a protein with 390 amino acid residues, including a conserved I29 inhibitor domain and a peptidase C1A (clan CA of cysteine proteases, papain family C1 subfamily) domain. Comparison with other previously reported cathepsin O proteins showed identity ranging from 45% to 79%. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot analysis revealed that ApCathepsin O was highly expressed in the fat body; furthermore, the high expression during the pupal stage indicated that it might be involved during metamorphosis. After exposure to four different heat-killed pathogens (Escherichia coli, Beauveria bassiana, Micrococcus luteus, and A. pernyi nucleopolyhedrovirus), the expression levels of ApCathepsin O mRNA significantly increased and showed variable expression patterns. This indicates that ApCathepsin O is potentially involved in the innate immune system of A. pernyi. Interestingly, ApCathepsin O expression was upregulated after 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) injection, which suggested that it might be regulated by 20E. In conclusion, ApCathepsin O is a protease that may play an important role in the innate immune response and metamorphosis of A. pernyi.

A role of tumor susceptibility gene 101 (TSG101) in innate immune response of crayfish Procambarus clarkii.

Tumor susceptibility gene 101 (TSG101) is a multi-functional gene involved in cell growth and proliferation in vertebrates. However, its role in the innate immune response of crustaceans remains unclear. Here, a TSG101 gene was identified in crayfish Procambarus clarkii with an open reading frame of 1320 bp that encoded a predicted 48.3-kDa protein highly homologous to those in other invertebrates. TSG101 mRNA was highly expressed in stomach and hepatopancreas, and its expression was induced significantly in different tissues (hemocytes, gills and intestine) by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (poly I: C) with various expression patterns. Recombinant TSG101 protein was expressed in Escherichia coli, and a possible protein-protein interaction between TSG101 and hepatocyte growth factor-regulated tyrosine kinase substrate (Hrs) was explored by far-western blotting. RNA interference of TSG101 affected the gene expression of members of the Toll pathway. These results suggest that TSG101 is involved in the innate immune responses of P. clarkii.

Characterization of the Complete Mitochondrial Genome of Leucoma salicis (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) and Comparison with Other Lepidopteran Insects.

The complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of Leucoma salicis (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) was sequenced and annotated. It is a circular molecule of 15,334 bp, containing the 37 genes usually present in insect mitogenomes. All protein-coding genes (PCGs) are initiated by ATN codons, other than cox1, which is initiated by CGA. Three of the 13 PCGs had an incomplete termination codon, T or TA, while the others terminated with TAA. The relative synonymous codon usage of the 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs) was consistent with those of published lepidopteran sequences. All tRNA genes had typical clover-leaf secondary structures, except for the tRNASer (AGN), in which the dihydrouridine (DHU) arm could not form a stable stem-loop structure. The A + T-rich region of 325 bp had several distinctive features, including the motif 'ATAGA' followed by an 18 bp poly-T stretch, a microsatellite-like (AT)7 element, and an 11-bp poly-A present immediately upstream of tRNAMet. Relationships among 32 insect species were determined using Maximum Likelihood (ML), Neighbor Joining (NJ) and Bayesian Inference (BI) phylogenetic methods. These analyses confirm that L. salicis belongs to the Lymantriidae; and that Lymantriidae is a member of Noctuoidea, and is a sister taxon to Erebidae, Nolidae and Noctuidae, most closely related to Erebidae.

Characterization and function of a cathepsin B in red crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) following lipopolysaccharide challenge.

Cathepsin B is a lysosomal cysteine protease of the papain-like enzyme family with multiple biological functions. In the present study, a cathepsin B gene (named PcCTSB) was cloned and characterized from the red crayfish, Procambarus clarkii. The cDNA fragments of PcCTSB was 990 bp in length. It encoded a putative protein of 329 amino acid residues with predicted molecular weight of 36.4 kDa and isoelectric point of 7.020. Sequence alignment revealed that PcCTSB protein is 53.6%-80.4% identical with those from other 10 species. The predicted tertiary structure of PcCTSB protein was highly similar to that of animals. The results of the phylogenetic analysis indicated that the PcCTSB protein could be clustered with the Eriocheir sinensis cathepsin B protein. The recombinant protein of PcCTSB was expressed successfully in Escherichia coli cells. The mRNA expressions of PcCTSB were detected in all tested tissues, particularly high in the hepatopancreas. After lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge, the expression levels of PcCTSB were up-regulated significantly at different time points compared with control. Our results suggested that the PcCTSB might play an important role in defending against the pathogenes infection.