Frequency of EGFR Mutations in 907 Lung Adenocarcioma Patients of Indian Ethnicity

Background

During the past decade, the incidence of EGFR mutation has been shown to vary across different ethnicities. It occurs at the rate of 10–15% in North Americans and Europeans, 19% in African-Americans, 20–30% in various East Asian series including Chinese, Koreans, and Japanese. Frequency of EGFR mutations in India however remains sparsely explored.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We report 23% incidence of Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations in 907 Non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients of Indian ethnicity, in contrast to 10–15% known in Caucasians and 27–62% among East Asians. In this study, EGFR mutations were found to be more common in never-smokers 29.4% as compared to smokers 15.3%. Consistent with other populations, mutation rates among adenocarcinoma-males were predominantly lower than females with 32% incidence. However unlike Caucasians, EGFR mutation rate among adenocarcinoma-never-smoker females were comparable to males suggesting lack of gender bias among never smokers likely to benefit from EGFR targeted therapy.

Conclusions/Significance

This study has an overall implication for establishing relevance for routine EGFR mutation diagnostics for NSCLC patients in clinics and emphasizes effectiveness for adoption of EGFR inhibitors as the first line treatment among Indian population. The intermediate frequency of EGFR mutation among Indian population compared to Caucasians and East Asians is reminiscent of an ancestral admixture of genetic influence from Middle Easterners, Central Asians, and Europeans on modern- Indian population that may confer differential susceptibility to somatic mutations in EGFR.     

An evaluation of garlic lectin as an alternative carrier domain for insecticidal fusion proteins

The mannose-binding lectin GNA （snowdrop lectin） is used as a＂carrier＂ domain in insecticidal fusion proteins which cross the insect gut after oral ingestion. A similar lectin from garlic bulb, ASAII, has been evaluated as an alternative ＂carrier＂. Recombinant ASAII delivered orally to larvae of cabbage moth （Mamestra brassica; Lepidoptera） was subsequently detected in haemolymph, demonstrating transport. Fusion proteins comprising an insect neurotoxin, ButaIT （Buthus tamulus insecticidal toxin; red scorpion toxin） linked to the C-terminal region of ASAII or GNA were produced as recombinant proteins （GNA/ ButaIT and ASA/ButaIT） by expression in Pichia pastoris. In both cases the C-terminal sequence of the lectin was truncated to avoid post-translational proteolysis. The GNA- containing fusion protein was toxic by injection to cabbage moth larvae （LD50≈ 250μg/g）, and when fed had a negative effect on survival and growth. It also decreased the survival of cereal aphids （Sitobion avenae; Homoptera） from neonate to adult by 〉70% when fed. In contrast, the ASA-ButaIT fusion protein was non-toxic to aphids, and had no effect on lepidopteran larvae, either when injected or when fed. However, intact ASA-ButaIT fusion protein was present in the haemolymph of cabbage moth larvae following ingestion, showing that transport of the fusion had occurred. The stabilities of GNA/ButaIT and ASA/ButaIT to proteolysis in vivo after injection or ingestion differed, and this may be a factor in determining insecticidal activities.     

Database model and specification of GermOnline Release 2.0, a cross-species community annotation knowledgebase on germ cell differentiation

GermOnline is a web-accessible relational database that enables life scientists to make a significant and sustained contribution to the annotation of genes relevant for the fields of mitosis, meiosis, germ line development and gametogenesis across species. This novel approach to genome annotation includes a platform for knowledge submission and curation as well as microarray data storage and visualization hosted by a global network of servers. AVAILABILITY: The database is accessible at http://www.germonline.org/. For convenient world-wide access we have set up a network of servers in Europe (http://germonline.unibas.ch/; http://germonline.igh.cnrs.fr/), Japan (http://germonline.biochem.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp/) and USA (http://germonline.yeastgenome.org/). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Extended documentation of the database is available through the link 'About GermOnline' at the websites.     

Biodegradable Nanoparticle-Entrapped Vaccine Induces Cross-Protective Immune Response against a Virulent Heterologous Respiratory Viral Infection in Pigs

Biodegradable nanoparticle-based vaccine development research is unexplored in large animals and humans. In this study, we illustrated the efficacy of nanoparticle-entrapped UV-killed virus vaccine against an economically important respiratory viral disease of pigs called porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV). We entrapped PLGA [poly (lactide-co-glycolides)] nanoparticles with killed PRRSV antigens (Nano-KAg) and detected its phagocytosis by pig alveolar macrophages. Single doses of Nano-KAg vaccine administered intranasally to pigs upregulated innate and PRRSV specific adaptive responses. In a virulent heterologous PRRSV challenge study, Nano-KAg vaccine significantly reduced the lung pathology and viremia, and the viral load in the lungs. Immunologically, enhanced innate and adaptive immune cell population and associated cytokines with decreased secretion of immunosuppressive mediators were observed at both mucosal sites and blood. In summary, we demonstrated the benefits of intranasal delivery of nanoparticle-based viral vaccine in eliciting cross-protective immune response in pigs, a potential large animal model.