Nong Van Hai

Regulation of dendritic cell function by insulin/IGF-1/PI3K/Akt signaling through klotho expression

Abstract Insulin or insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) promotes the activation of phosphoinositide 3 kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling in immune cells including dendritic cells (DCs), the most potent professional antigen-presenting cells for naive T cells. Klotho, an anti-aging protein, participates in the regulation of the PI3K/Akt signaling, thus the Ca2+-dependent migration is reduced in klotho-deficient DCs. The present study explored the effects of insulin/IGF-1 on DC function through klotho expression. To this end, the mouse bone marrow cells were isolated and cultured with GM-CSF to attain bone marrow-derived DCs (BMDCs). Cells were treated with insulin or IGF-1 and followed by stimulating with lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α formation was examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Phagocytosis was analyzed by FITC-dextran uptake assay. The expression of klotho was determined by quantitative PCR, immunoprecipitation and western blotting. As a result, treatment of the cells with insulin/IGF-1 resulted in reducing the klotho expression as well as LPS-stimulated TNF-α release and increasing the FITC-dextran uptake but unaltering reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in BMDCs. The effects were abolished by using pharmacological inhibition of PI3K/Akt with LY294002 and paralleled by transfecting DCs with klotho siRNA. In conclusion, the regulation of klotho sensitive DC function by IGF-1 or insulin is mediated through PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in BMDCs.

Complete human mtDNA genome sequences from Vietnam and the phylogeography of Mainland Southeast Asia

Vietnam is an important crossroads within Mainland Southeast Asia (MSEA) and a gateway to Island Southeast Asia, and as such exhibits high levels of ethnolinguistic diversity. However, comparatively few studies have been undertaken of the genetic diversity of Vietnamese populations. In order to gain comprehensive insights into MSEA mtDNA phylogeography, we sequenced 609 complete mtDNA genomes from individuals belonging to five language families (Austroasiatic, Tai-Kadai, Hmong-Mien, Sino-Tibetan and Austronesian) and analyzed them in comparison with sequences from other MSEA countries and Taiwan. Within Vietnam, we identified 399 haplotypes belonging to 135 haplogroups; among the five language families, the sequences from Austronesian groups differ the most from the other groups. Phylogenetic analysis revealed 111 novel Vietnamese mtDNA lineages. Bayesian estimates of coalescence times and associated 95% HPD for these show a peak of mtDNA diversification around 2.5–3 kya, which coincides with the Dong Son culture, and thus may be associated with the agriculturally-driven expansion of this culture. Networks of major MSEA haplogroups emphasize the overall distinctiveness of sequences from Taiwan, in keeping with previous studies that suggested at most a minor impact of the Austronesian expansion from Taiwan on MSEA. We also see evidence for population expansions across MSEA geographic regions and language families.

Changes in expression of klotho affect physiological processes, diseases, and cancer

Klotho (KL) encodes a single-pass transmembrane protein and is predominantly expressed in the kidney, parathyroid glands, and choroid plexus. Genetic studies on the KL gene have revealed that DNA hypermethylation is one of the major risk factors for aging, diseases, and cancer. Besides, KL exerts anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effects by regulating signaling pathways and the expression of target genes. KL participates in modulation of the insulin/insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) signaling, which induces the growth hormone (GH) secretion. Accordingly, KL mutant mice display multiple aging-like phenotypes, which are ameliorated by overexpression of KL. Therefore, KL is an important contributor to lifespan. KL is further identified as a regulator of calcium (Ca2+) channel-dependent cell physiological processes. KL has been also shown to induce cancer cell apoptosis, thus, it is considered as a potential tumor suppressor. Our recent studies have indicated that KL modulates an influx of Ca2+ from the extracellular space, leading to a change in CCL21-dependent migration in dendritic cells (DCs). Interestingly, the regulation of the expression of KL was mediated through a phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway in DCs. Moreover, downregulating of KL expression by using siRNA knockdown technique, we observed that the expression of Ca2+ channels including Orai3, but not Orai1, Orai2, TRPV5 and TRPV6 was significantly reduced in KL-silenced as compared to control BMDCs. Clearly, additional research is required to define the role of KL in the regulation of organismic and cellular functions through the PI3K signaling and the expression of the Ca2+ channels.

Whole genome sequencing and mutation rate analysis of trios with paternal dioxin exposure

2,3,7,8‐Tetrachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin (TCDD) or dioxin, is commonly considered the most toxic man‐made substance. Dioxin exposure impacts human health and diseases, birth defects and teratogenesis were frequently observed in children of persons who have been exposed to dioxin. However, the impact of dioxin on human mutation rate in trios has not yet been elucidated at the whole genome level. To identify and characterize the genetic alterations in the individuals exposed to dioxin, we performed whole genome sequencing (WGS) of nine Vietnamese trios whose fathers were exposed to dioxin. In total, 846 de novo point mutations, 26 de novo insertions and deletions, 4 de novo structural variations, and 1 de novo copy number variation were identified. The number of point mutations and dioxin concentrations were positively correlated (P‐value < 0.05). Considering the substitution pattern, the number of A > T/T > A mutation and the dioxin concentration was positively correlated (P‐value < 0.05). Our analysis also identified one possible disease‐related mutation in LAMA5 in one trio. These findings suggested that dioxin exposure might affect father genomes of trios leading to de novo mutations in their children. Further analysis with larger sample sizes would be required to better clarify mutation rates and substitution patterns in trios caused by dioxin.

Genetic variation of mitochondrial sequence-hv2 in Vietnamese populations

HV1 and HV2, which located in control D-loop region of mitochondrial, are the hyper-variable parts of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Therefore, these two sequences were often used for evolutional and forensic science. In order to determine the genetic variation of populations belong to Nam-A and Nam-Dao language systems, we sequenced and analyzed the mtDNA HV2 region of individuals from four ethic groups: Kinh, Muong, Ede and Jarai which represent for those language systems. Study subjects are peripheral blood of 169 individuals belonging to four populations: Kinh, Muong, Ede and Jarai. HV2 regions were sequenced by Sanger sequencing. As a result, the analyzed mitochondrial control region sequences could be assigned to 79 different haplogroups, with the dominant proportion of three haplogroups: R, B and F. Donors representing Kinh or Muong population revealed higher haplogroup composition variation in comparison with those affiliated with Jarai or Ede. In addition, it was indicated that the 4 populations shared the genetic analogy with other populations inhabited in Southeast Asia and South Asia.

Cloning and sequencing of the 18S-rRNA gene from Paphiopedilum helenae and Paphiopedilum micranthum

Cloning and sequencing of the 18S-rRNA gene from Paphiopedilum helenae and Paphiopedilum micranthum

AB159. Endocrine disrupting chemicals: toxicological risk assessment in vivo and in vitro models

In several studies, scientists asserted that many of endocrine disruptors (EDs), which have been involved in developmental, reproductive, neural, immunological, and other problems in wildlife and laboratory animals. Some environmental EDs, such as di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), flutamide (Flu), parabens, are used in many products in life and environment. However, the adverse effects caused by EDs can be temporary or permanent and the mechanism(s) through which these chemicals elicit their effects on biological systems of human and animal health is not clearly understood. The specific aim of this study is to evaluate endocrine disrupting chemicals-induced impact on the male or female reproductive system. An attempt is also made to elucidate the impact of these EDs in an in vitro model, i.e., GH3 rat pituitary cell line. A great deal of work has been carried out on the toxicity of phthalate, Flu, parabens in vivo and in vitro models. In brief, studies have been indicated that long-term and short-term exposure to various endocrine disrupting compounds (i.e., DEHP, Flu, parabens) during development stage (i.e., gestation, neonatal, immature, peripubertal) were done to find alternative dysfunctions later in animal life. The development and function of male or female reproductive tract showed many abnormalities, e.g., menstrual cycle irregularities; impaired fertility, endometriosis, and polycystic ovarian syndrome in female or morphological and functional gonadal dysfunction, e.g., infertility and decreased libido, congenital malformations (altered embryonic and fetal intrauterine development) and testicular dysgenesis syndrome in male. In addition, the differential gene expression patterns by microarray analysis following EDs exposure were found, particularly in steroid hormone synthesis, androgen and/or estrogen synthesis, and sex determination-related gene. On the other hand, studies revealed that parabens, a weak estrogenic chemical, exerted their actions on the stimulation of CaBP-9k gene, an estrogenic biomarker, via binding to estrogen receptor and/or progesterone receptor in immature female rat and GH3 cell line. An increasing number of chemical compounds in the environment have been identified as endocrine disruptor in vivo and in vitro bioassay. A future challenge is required to confirm a theoretical toxicology and risk assessment of EDs for human and animal health.