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Reid BM. Early life stress and iron metabolism in developmental psychoneuroimmunology. Brain Behav Immun Health 2024; 40:100824. [PMID: 39161875 PMCID: PMC11331713 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2024.100824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 08/21/2024] Open
Abstract
An estimated 250 million children face adverse health outcomes from early life exposure to severe or chronic social, economic, and nutritional adversity, highlighting/emphasizing the pressing concern about the link between ELS and long-term implications on mental and physical health. There is significant overlap between populations experiencing high levels of chronic stress and those experiencing iron deficiency, spotlighting the potential role of iron as a key mediator in this association. Iron, an essential micronutrient for brain development and immune function, is often depleted in stress conditions. Iron deficiency among the most common nutrient deficiencies in the world. Fetal and infant iron status may thus serve as a crucial intermediary between early chronic psychological stress and subsequent immune system changes to impact neurodevelopment. The review presents a hypothesized pathway between early life stress (ELS), iron deficiency, and neurodevelopment through the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis and the IL-6-hepcidin axis. This hypothesis is derived from (1) evidence that stress impacts iron status (2) long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes that are shared by ELS and iron deficiency exposure, and (3) possible mechanisms for how iron may mediate the relation between ELS and iron deficiency through alterations in the developing immune system. The article concludes by proposing future research directions, emphasizing the need for rigorous studies to elucidate how stress and iron metabolism interact to modify the developing immune system. Understanding these mechanisms could open new avenues for improving human health and neurodevelopment for women and children globally, making it a timely and vital area of study in psychoneuroimmunology research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brie M. Reid
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, USA
- Center for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, The Miriam Hospital, USA
- Department of Psychology, Department of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, USA
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Specht L, Freiberg A, Mojahed A, Garthus-Niegel S, Schellong J. Adrenocortical deviations and adverse clinical outcomes in children and adolescents exposed to interparental intimate partner violence: A systematic review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 165:105866. [PMID: 39233285 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2024] [Revised: 08/21/2024] [Accepted: 08/25/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024]
Abstract
Childhood exposure to interparental intimate partner violence (i-IPV) is a pervasive form of child maltreatment, posing major public health concerns and elevating risks for enduring adverse clinical and developmental consequences. However, assessing the full spectrum of clinical effects is challenging, potentially leading to inconsistent identification of children in need of early intervention. This systematic review aimed to identify hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis dysfunction following i-IPV exposure, elucidating the underlying biopsychobehavioural mechanisms and predicting adverse outcomes. We searched Embase, MEDLINE, and PsycINFO for peer-reviewed studies from infancy through adolescence, screened reference lists and conducted forward searches. Analysis of 23 publications (N = 1848) revealed associations between i-IPV and altered adrenocortical function from early childhood, influenced by FKBP5 haplotype, parental caregiving and offspring emotional insecurity. Results showed that the adrenocortical stress response may predict internalising and externalising problems, childhood asthma, impaired executive function and poor academic performance. Nonetheless, inconsistencies in findings between studies suggest methodological heterogeneity and potential bias. Identifying biomarkers such as cortisol can enhance prediction and mechanism-based intervention efforts but long-term studies with a common theoretical and methodological framework are needed for comprehensive understanding. Integrating biological, emotional, and behavioural assessments could potentiate trauma services and research, ultimately improving outcomes for affected children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Specht
- Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, Dresden 01307, Germany; Institute and Policlinic of Occupational and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, Dresden 01307, Germany.
| | - Alice Freiberg
- Institute and Policlinic of Occupational and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, Dresden 01307, Germany
| | - Amera Mojahed
- Institute and Policlinic of Occupational and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, Dresden 01307, Germany
| | - Susan Garthus-Niegel
- Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, Dresden 01307, Germany; Institute and Policlinic of Occupational and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, Dresden 01307, Germany; Institute for Systems Medicine (ISM) and Faculty of Medicine, Medical School Hamburg, Am Kaiserkai 1, Hamburg 20457, Germany; Department of Childhood and Families, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Postboks 222 Skøyen, Oslo 0213, Norway
| | - Julia Schellong
- Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, Dresden 01307, Germany
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Anisman H, Doubad D, Asokumar A, Matheson K. Psychosocial and neurobiological aspects of the worldwide refugee crisis: From vulnerability to resilience. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 165:105859. [PMID: 39159733 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 08/06/2024] [Accepted: 08/15/2024] [Indexed: 08/21/2024]
Abstract
Anisman, H., Doubad, D., Asokumar, A. & Matheson, K. Psychosocial and neurobiological aspects of the worldwide refugee crisis: From vulnerability to resilience. NEUROSCI BIOBEHAV REV, XXXX. Immigration occurs between countries either to obtain employment, for family reunification or to escape violence and other life-threatening conditions. Refugees and asylum seekers are often obligated to overcome a uniquely challenging set of circumstances prior to and during migration. Settlement following immigration may pose yet another set of stressors related to acculturation to the host country, as well as financial insecurity, discrimination, language barriers, and social isolation. Here we discuss the multiple consequences of immigration experiences, focusing on the health disturbances that frequently develop in adults and children. Aside from the psychosocial influences, immigration-related challenges may cause hormonal, inflammatory immune, and microbiota changes that favor psychological and physical illnesses. Some biological alterations are subject to modification by epigenetic changes, which have implications for intergenerational trauma transmission, as might disruptions in parenting behaviors and family dysfunction. Despite the hardships experienced, many immigrants and their families exhibit positive psychological adjustment after resettlement. We provide information to diminish the impacts associated with immigration and offer strength-based approaches that may foster resilience.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Anisman
- Carleton University, Department of Neuroscience, Ottawa, Ontario K1S 5B6, Canada.
| | - D Doubad
- Carleton University, Department of Neuroscience, Ottawa, Ontario K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - A Asokumar
- Carleton University, Department of Neuroscience, Ottawa, Ontario K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - K Matheson
- Carleton University, Department of Neuroscience, Ottawa, Ontario K1S 5B6, Canada
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Sullivan EL, Bogdan R, Bakhireva L, Levitt P, Jones J, Sheldon M, Croff JM, Thomason M, Lo JO, MacIntyre L, Shrivastava S, Cioffredi LA, Edlow AG, Howell BR, Chaiyachati BH, Lashley-Simms N, Molloy K, Lam C, Stoermann AM, Trinh T, Ambalavanan N, Neiderhiser JM. Biospecimens in the HEALthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) Study: Rationale and protocol. Dev Cogn Neurosci 2024; 70:101451. [PMID: 39326174 DOI: 10.1016/j.dcn.2024.101451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 07/17/2024] [Accepted: 09/13/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The HEALthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) Study, a multi-site prospective longitudinal cohort study, will examine human brain, cognitive, behavioral, social, and emotional development beginning prenatally and planned through early childhood. The longitudinal collection of biological samples from over 7000 birthing parents and their children within the HBCD study enables research on pre- and postnatal exposures (e.g., substance use, toxicants, nutrition), and biological processes (e.g., genetics, epigenetic signatures, proteins, metabolites) on neurobehavioral developmental outcomes. The following biosamples are collected from the birthing parent: 1) blood (i.e., whole blood, serum, plasma, buffy coat, and dried blood spots) during pregnancy, 2) nail clippings during pregnancy and one month postpartum, 3) urine during pregnancy, and 4) saliva during pregnancy and at in-person postnatal assessments. The following samples are collected from the child at in-person study assessments: 1) saliva, 2) stool, and 3) urine. Additionally, placenta tissue, cord blood, and cord tissue are collected by a subset of HBCD sites. Here, we describe the rationale for the collection of these biospecimens, their current and potential future uses, the collection protocol, and collection success rates during piloting. This information will assist research teams in the planning of future studies utilizing this collection of biological samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elinor L Sullivan
- Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, Center for Mental Health Innovation, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
| | - Ryan Bogdan
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Washington University in Saint Louis, Saint Louis, MO, USA.
| | - Ludmila Bakhireva
- Substance Use Research and Education (SURE) Center, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA.
| | - Pat Levitt
- Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Joseph Jones
- United States Drug Testing Laboratories, Des Plaines, IL, USA
| | | | - Julie M Croff
- Department of Rural Health, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, OK, USA
| | - Moriah Thomason
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry & Department of Population Health, New York University Langone Health, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Jamie O Lo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Leigh MacIntyre
- McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada; Lasso Informatics, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Leigh-Anne Cioffredi
- Dept of Pediatrics, Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA; Vermont Children's Hospital, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Andrea G Edlow
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Brittany R Howell
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA, USA; Department of Human Development and Family Science, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Barbara H Chaiyachati
- Dept of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA; PolicyLab & Clinical Futures, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Nicole Lashley-Simms
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Washington University in Saint Louis, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Kelly Molloy
- Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, Center for Mental Health Innovation, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Cris Lam
- University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | | | - Thanh Trinh
- University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
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Rovegno E, Lucon-Xiccato T, Terrin F, Valle LD, Bertolucci C. Knockout in zebrafish reveals the role of the glucocorticoid receptor in shaping behavioral syndromes. Behav Brain Res 2024; 473:115179. [PMID: 39103124 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2024.115179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2024] [Revised: 07/03/2024] [Accepted: 08/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024]
Abstract
Glucocorticoids (GCs) have a wide spectrum of effects on animal behavior. A recently suggested effect involves determining the structure of individual differences, that is how the behavioral traits of an individual covary, forming the so-called behavioral syndromes. As GCs can exert their action in multiple ways, e.g., via rapid non-genomic effects or via the activation of two highly homologous members of the steroid receptor family acting as transcription factors, it is unclear how the GC modulation of behavioral syndromes takes place. We exploited a zebrafish line with a frameshift mutation in the gene encoding the GC receptor (Gr), to investigate this question. We found that lack of Gr altered the average score of several behavioral traits in the mutant line, determining reduced boldness, and increased activity and sociability. Critically, the pattern of covariation between these traits was also substantially affected by the loss of Gr. The most evident effect was an association of traits involved in boldness in the gr mutant line. This study reveals that, in zebrafish, Gr is not only involved in the modulation of the average value of behavioral traits, but also in how the behavioral traits of an individual are interrelated and determine the behavioral syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Rovegno
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Tyrone Lucon-Xiccato
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | | | | | - Cristiano Bertolucci
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
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Castro RTA, Gardini E, Iliadis SI, Ehlert U, Kallak TK, Skalkidou A. Personality vulnerability to depression, resilience, and depressive symptoms: epigenetic markers among perinatal women. Ups J Med Sci 2024; 129:10603. [PMID: 39257475 PMCID: PMC11385460 DOI: 10.48101/ujms.v129.10603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 07/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 09/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Background We examined differences in DNA methylation patterns in the NR3C1 and FKBP5 genes in relation to personality vulnerability to depression, resilience, and perinatal depressive symptoms, whilst also considering possible moderating effects of childhood traumatic events. Methods N = 160 perinatal women were assessed at late pregnancy and 1 year postpartum for personality vulnerability to depression, resilience, depressive symptoms, and childhood traumatic events with self-reported questionnaires. NR3C1 and FKBP5 methylation markers were analyzed via sodium bisulfite sequencing. Associations of methylation markers with the above mentioned variables were tested using multivariable regressions. Results NR3C1 methylation at CpGs 1, 4 and average methylation sites were negatively associated with resilience; NR3C1 methylation at CpG 2 was positively associated with postpartum depressive symptoms; methylation at CpG 4 was positively associated with prenatal depressive symptoms. The interaction between current distress due to interpersonal traumatic events and NR3C1 CpG sites in relation to personality vulnerability was significant on CpG sites 3 and 4, whereas the interaction between current distress due to total traumatic events and NR3C1 in relation to personality vulnerability was significant on CpG site 2. FKBP5 showed no significant associations with the outcomes. Conclusions This study identified associations between NR3C1 methylation and resilience as well as perinatal depressive symptoms. Interestingly, an interaction between early trauma and personality vulnerability was noted. Our findings on these specific DNA methylation markers may, if replicated and integrated into risk prediction models, contribute to early diagnosis of mothers at risk, targeted health promotion, and early interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita T Amiel Castro
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Zurich, Institute of Psychology, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Elena Gardini
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Zurich, Institute of Psychology, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Stavros I Iliadis
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ulrike Ehlert
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Zurich, Institute of Psychology, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Alkistis Skalkidou
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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Vos S, Van den Bergh BRH, Martens DS, Bijnens E, Shkedy Z, Kindermans H, Platzer M, Schwab M, Nawrot TS. Maternal perceived stress and green spaces during pregnancy are associated with adult offspring gene (NR3C1 and IGF2/H19) methylation patterns in adulthood: A pilot study. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2024; 167:107088. [PMID: 38924829 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2024.107088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Changes in NR3C1 and IGF2/H19 methylation patterns have been associated with behavioural and psychiatric outcomes. Maternal mental state has been associated with offspring NR3C1 promotor and IGF2/H19 imprinting control region (ICR) methylation patterns. However, there is a lack of prospective studies with long-term follow-up. METHODS 52 mother-offspring pairs were studied from 12 to 22 weeks of pregnancy and offspring was followed-up until 28-29 years-of-age. During pregnancy, mothers filled in a Life Event Scale and a Daily Hassles Scale measuring perceived stress; i.e., appraisal or subjectively experienced severity of impact of important life events and of daily hassles in several life domains during pregnancy, respectively. Green space was quantified around the residence, using high-resolution (1 m2) map data. Saliva and blood samples were obtained from the adult offspring. Absolute DNA methylation levels were determined in blood and saliva on four NR3C1 amplicons, and one IGF2/H19 ICR amplicon using a bisulfite PCR and sequencing method. Linear mixed effect models were used to test the associations between perceived stress and green spaces during pregnancy, and adult offspring methylation patterns. RESULTS We found associations between maternal perceived stress during pregnancy and methylation patterns on two out of the four NR3C1 amplicons, measured in blood, from offspring in adulthood, but not with IGF2/H19 methylation. For an interquartile-range (IQR) increase in maternal perceived life event or daily hassles stress scores, absolute methylation levels on several NR3C1 CpG sites were significantly changed (-1.62 % to +5.89 %, p<0.05). Maternal perceived stress scores were not associated with IGF2/H19 methylation, neither in blood nor in saliva. Maternal exposure to green spaces surrounding the residence during the pregnancy was associated with IGF2/H19 ICR methylation (-0.80 % to -1.04 %, p<0.05) in saliva, but not with NR3C1 promotor methylation. CONCLUSION We observed significant long-term effects of maternal perceived stress during pregnancy on the methylation patterns of the NR3C1 promotor in offspring well into adulthood. This may imply that maternal psychological distress during pregnancy may influence the regulation of the HPA-axis well into adulthood. Additionally, maternal proximity to green spaces was associated with IGF2/H19 ICR methylation patterns, which is a novel finding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stijn Vos
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Bea R H Van den Bergh
- Health Psychology Research Group and Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Dries S Martens
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Esmée Bijnens
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium; Department of Environmental Sciences, Open University, Heerlen, the Netherlands
| | - Ziv Shkedy
- Data Science Institute, Centre for Statistics, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Hanne Kindermans
- Research Group Healthcare & ethics, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Matthias Platzer
- Genome Analysis Group, Leibniz Institute on Aging - Fritz Lipmann Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Matthias Schwab
- Hans Berger Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Tim S Nawrot
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium; Department of Public Health & Primary Care, Occupational & Environmental Medicine, KU Leuven, Belgium
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Zhang H, Wang S, Ma S, Zhang C, Wang Z, Yan P. Causal relationship between worry, tension, insomnia, sensitivity to environmental stress and adversity, and erectile dysfunction: a study using Mendelian randomization. Andrology 2024; 12:1272-1279. [PMID: 38131625 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aims to investigate the causal relationship between erectile dysfunction (ED) and psychological states including worry, tension, insomnia, sensitivity to environmental stress and adversity (SESA). METHOD This study the used two-sample bi-directional Mendelian randomization (MR) method. The study data was obtained from a pooled dataset of genome-wide association studies (GWAS). The bi-directional MR analysis was performed using inverse variance weighting, weighted median method, and MR-Egger regression analysis to assess the causality between ED and psychological states including worry, tension, insomnia, SESA in terms of odd ratios (OR). The study tested for heterogeneity using the Cochran Q method and for multiple validity using the MR-Egger and MR-PRESSO methods. RESULTS In forward MR analysis correlating worry, tension, insomnia, and SESA as exposures, no causal relationship was found between worry or tension and ED (p < 0.05). However, insomnia (p = 0.001, OR = 3.441, 95%CI = 1.593-7.435) and SESA (p = 0.004, OR = 1.804, 95%CI = 1.203-2.701) were found to have a significant causal effect on ED risk. The reverse MR analysis with ED as the exposure did not show any significant correlation (all p > 0.05). CONCLUSION Individuals with insomnia and SESA are at higher risk for developing ED. Clinical evaluation should be more thorough for these individuals. Insomnia can be treated simultaneously with psychological counseling to reduce the risk of ED. In addition, there is no evidence to suggest that worry and tension increase the risk of ED.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Zhang
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao, Taipa, Macao SAR, China
| | - Shiqi Wang
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Sicheng Ma
- Zhongjing Academy, Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Chenming Zhang
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zulong Wang
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Peiyu Yan
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao, Taipa, Macao SAR, China
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Macau University of Science and Technology Zhuhai MUST Science and Technology Research Institute, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao, Taipa, Macao SAR, China
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Petroff RL, Jester J, Riggs J, Alfafara E, Springer K, Kerr N, Issa M, Hall A, Rosenblum K, Goodrich JM, Muzik M. Longitudinal DNA methylation in parent-infant pairs impacted by intergenerational social adversity: An RCT of the Michigan Model of Infant Mental Health Home Visiting. Brain Behav 2024; 14:e70035. [PMID: 39295112 PMCID: PMC11410872 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.70035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 06/26/2024] [Accepted: 08/03/2024] [Indexed: 09/21/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Early childhood development is a strong predictor of long-term health outcomes, potentially mediated via epigenetics (DNA methylation). The aim of the current study was to examine how childhood experiences, punitive parenting, and an intergenerational psychotherapeutic intervention may impact DNA methylation in young children and their mothers. METHODS Mothers and their infants/toddlers between 0 and 24 months were recruited at baseline (n = 146, 73 pairs) to participate in a randomized control trial evaluating the effectiveness of The Michigan Model of Infant Mental Health Home Visiting (IMH-HV) parent-infant psychotherapy compared to treatment as usual. Baseline and 12-month post-enrollment data were collected in the family's home and included self-report questionnaires, biological saliva samples, home environment observation, video-taped parent-child interaction, and audio-recorded interviews. Saliva DNA methylation was measured at the genes, nuclear receptor subfamily 3 group C member 1 (NR3C1), solute carrier family 6 member 4 (SLC6A4), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and the genetic element, long interspersed nuclear element-1 (LINE1). RESULTS For mothers, baseline methylation of BDNF, SLC6A4, NR3C1, or LINE1 was largely not associated with baseline measures of their childhood adversity, adverse life experiences, demographic characteristics related to structurally driven inequities, or to IMH-HV treatment effect. In infants, there were suggestions that methylation in SLC6A4 and LINE1 was associated with parenting attitudes. Infant BDNF methylation suggested an overall decrease in response to IMH-HV psychotherapy over 12 months. CONCLUSIONS Overall, our findings suggest that the epigenome in infants and young children may be sensitive to both early life experiences and parent-infant psychotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebekah L. Petroff
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public HealthUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA
| | - Jennifer Jester
- Department of PsychiatryMichigan MedicineAnn ArborMichiganUSA
| | - Jessica Riggs
- Department of PsychiatryMichigan MedicineAnn ArborMichiganUSA
| | - Emily Alfafara
- Department of PsychiatryMichigan MedicineAnn ArborMichiganUSA
| | - Katherine Springer
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public HealthUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA
| | - Natalie Kerr
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public HealthUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA
| | - Meriam Issa
- Department of PsychiatryMichigan MedicineAnn ArborMichiganUSA
| | - Alanah Hall
- Department of PsychiatryMichigan MedicineAnn ArborMichiganUSA
| | - Katherine Rosenblum
- Department of PsychiatryMichigan MedicineAnn ArborMichiganUSA
- Department of Obstetrics & GynecologyMichigan MedicineAnn ArborMichiganUSA
- Department of PediatricsMichigan MedicineAnn ArborMichiganUSA
| | - Jaclyn M. Goodrich
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public HealthUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA
| | - Maria Muzik
- Department of PsychiatryMichigan MedicineAnn ArborMichiganUSA
- Department of Obstetrics & GynecologyMichigan MedicineAnn ArborMichiganUSA
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Li P, Zhang Q, Chu C, Ren B, Wu P, Zhang G. Transcriptome Analysis of Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Ovarian Axis Reveals circRNAs Related to Egg Production of Bian Chicken. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:2253. [PMID: 39123779 PMCID: PMC11311080 DOI: 10.3390/ani14152253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2024] [Revised: 07/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis plays a pivotal role in the regulation of egg production in chickens. In addition to the traditional understanding of the HPO axis, emerging research highlights the significant role of circRNAs in modulating the functions of this axis. In the study, we collected hypothalamus, pituitary, and ovarian tissues from low-yielding and high-yielding Bian chickens for transcriptome sequencing. We identified 339, 339, and 287 differentially expressed (DE) circRNAs with p_value < 0.05 and |log2 (fold change)| ≥ 1 in hypothalamus, pituitary, and ovarian tissues. The Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis for the source genes of DE circRNAs has yielded multiple biological process (BP) entries related to cell development, the nervous system, and proteins, including cellular component morphogenesis, cell morphogenesis, nervous system development, neurogenesis, protein modification process, and protein metabolic process. In the top 30 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways, we observed the enrichment of the GnRH signaling pathway in both the hypothalamus and the pituitary, solely identified the GnRH secretion pathway in the pituitary, and discovered the pathway of oocyte meiosis in the ovary. Furthermore, given that circRNA primarily functions through the ceRNA mechanism, we constructed ceRNA regulatory networks with DE circRNAs originating from the GnRH signaling pathway, GnRH secretion, ovarian steroidogenesis, steroid hormone biosynthesis, and the estrogen signaling pathway. Finally, several important ceRNA regulatory networks related to reproduction were discovered, such as novel_circ_003662-gga-let-7b/miR-148a-3p/miR-146a-5p/miR-146b-5p and novel_circ_003538-gga-miR-7464-3p-SLC19A1. This study will contribute to advancements in understanding the involvement of circRNAs in the HPO axis, potentially leading to innovations in improving egg production and poultry health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peifeng Li
- College of Animal Science, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taiyuan 030032, China; (P.L.); (Q.Z.); (C.C.); (B.R.)
| | - Qi Zhang
- College of Animal Science, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taiyuan 030032, China; (P.L.); (Q.Z.); (C.C.); (B.R.)
| | - Chengzhu Chu
- College of Animal Science, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taiyuan 030032, China; (P.L.); (Q.Z.); (C.C.); (B.R.)
| | - Binlin Ren
- College of Animal Science, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taiyuan 030032, China; (P.L.); (Q.Z.); (C.C.); (B.R.)
| | - Pengfei Wu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Animal Molecular Breeding and Biotechnology, Tianjin Engineering Research Center of Animal Healthy Farming, Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary, Tianjin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Tianjin 300381, China
| | - Genxi Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China;
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11
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Lyons-Ruth K, Chasson M, Khoury J, Ahtam B. Reconsidering the nature of threat in infancy: Integrating animal and human studies on neurobiological effects of infant stress. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 163:105746. [PMID: 38838878 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 05/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Early life stress has been associated with elevated risk for later psychopathology. One mechanism that may contribute to such long-term risk is alterations in amygdala development, a brain region critical to stress responsivity. Yet effects of stress on the amygdala during human infancy, a period of particularly rapid brain development, remain largely unstudied. In order to model how early stressors may affect infant amygdala development, several discrepancies across the existing literatures on early life stress among rodents and early threat versus deprivation among older human children and adults need to be reconciled. We briefly review the key findings of each of these literatures. We then consider them in light of emerging findings from studies of human infants regarding relations among maternal caregiving, infant cortisol response, and infant amygdala volume. Finally, we advance a developmental salience model of how early threat may impact the rapidly developing infant brain, a model with the potential to integrate across these divergent literatures. Future work to assess the value of this model is also proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karlen Lyons-Ruth
- Department of Psychiatry, Cambridge Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 1493 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02468, USA.
| | - Miriam Chasson
- Department of Psychiatry, Cambridge Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 1493 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02468, USA.
| | - Jennifer Khoury
- Department of Psychiatry, Cambridge Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 1493 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02468, USA.
| | - Banu Ahtam
- Fetal-Neonatal Neuroimaging & Developmental Science Center, Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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12
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Chiapperino L. Enacting biosocial complexity: Stress, epigenetic biomarkers and the tools of postgenomics. SOCIAL STUDIES OF SCIENCE 2024; 54:598-625. [PMID: 38214449 PMCID: PMC11409560 DOI: 10.1177/03063127231222613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
This article analyses attempts to enact complexity in postgenomic experimentations using the case of epigenetic research on biomarkers of psychosocial stress. Enacting complexity in this research means dissecting multiple so-called biosocial processes of health differentiation in the face of stressful experiences. To characterize enactments of biosocial complexity, the article develops the concepts of complexity work and complexification. The former emphasizes the social, technical, and material work that goes into the production of mixed biological and social representations of stress in epigenetics. The latter underlines how complexity can be assembled differently across distinct configurations of experimental work. Specifically, complexification can be defined as producing, stabilizing, and normalizing novel experimental systems that are supposed to improve techno-scientific enactments of complexity. In the case of epigenetics, complexification entails a reconfiguration of postgenomic experimental systems in ways that some actors deem 'better' at enacting health as a biosocial process. This study of complexity work and complexification shows that biosocial complexity is hardly a univocal enterprise in epigenetics. Consequently, the article calls for abandoning analysis of these research practices using clear-cut dichotomies of reductionism vs. holism, as well as simplicity vs. complexity. More broadly, the article suggests the relevance of a sociology of complexification for STS approaches to complexity in scientific practices. Complementing the existing focus on complexity as instrumental rhetoric in contemporary sciences, complexification directs analytical attention to the pragmatic opportunities that alternative (biosocial) complexities offer to collective, societal, and political thinking about science in society.
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13
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McNew SM, Taff CC, Vitousek MN. Manipulation of a social signal affects DNA methylation of a stress-related gene in a free-living bird. J Exp Biol 2024; 227:jeb246819. [PMID: 39022893 PMCID: PMC11418189 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.246819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Social status directly affects the health of humans and other animals. Low status individuals receive more antagonistic encounters, have fewer supportive relationships and have worse health outcomes. However, the physiological and cellular processes that mediate the relationship between the social environment and health are incompletely known. Epigenetic regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the neuroendocrine pathway that activates in response to stressors, may be one process that is sensitive to the social environment. Here, we experimentally manipulated plumage, a key social signal in female tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) and quantified methylation of four genes in the HPA axis before and after treatment. We found that dulling the white breast plumage affected methylation in one gene, CRHR1; however, the effect depended on the original brightness of the bird. Methylation in this gene was correlated with baseline corticosterone levels, suggesting that DNA methylation of CRHR1 helps regulate glucocorticoid production in this species. Methylation in two other genes, FKBP5 and GR, changed over the course of the experiment, independent of treatment. These results show that methylation of these genes is labile into adulthood and suggest that epigenetic regulation of the HPA axis could help birds respond to current environmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina M. McNew
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85719, USA
| | - Conor C. Taff
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
- Department of Biology, Colby College, Waterville, ME 04901, USA
| | - Maren N. Vitousek
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
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14
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Garcia-Ruiz B, Jiménez E, Aranda S, Verdolini N, Gutiérrez-Zotes A, Sáez C, Losantos E, Alonso-Lana S, Fatjó-Vilas M, Sarró S, Torres L, Panicalli F, Bonnin CDM, Pomarol-Clotet E, Vieta E, Vilella E. Associations of altered leukocyte DDR1 promoter methylation and childhood trauma with bipolar disorder and suicidal behavior in euthymic patients. Mol Psychiatry 2024; 29:2478-2486. [PMID: 38503928 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02522-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Altered DNA methylation (DNAm) patterns of discoidin domain receptor 1 (DDR1) have been found in the blood and brain of patients with schizophrenia (SCZ) and the brain of patients with bipolar disorder (BD). Childhood trauma (CT) is associated with changes in DNAm that in turn are related to suicidal behavior (SB) in patients with several psychiatric disorders. Here, using MassARRAY® technology, we studied 128 patients diagnosed with BD in remission and 141 healthy controls (HCs) to compare leukocyte DDR1 promoter DNAm patterns between patients and HCs and between patients with and without SB. Additionally, we investigated whether CT was associated with DDR1 DNAm and mediated SB. We found hypermethylation at DDR1 cg19215110 and cg23953820 sites and hypomethylation at cg14279856 and cg03270204 sites in patients with BD compared to HCs. Logistic regression models showed that hypermethylation of DDR1 cg23953820 but not cg19215110 and CT were risk factors for BD, while cg14279856 and cg03270204 hypomethylation were protective factors. In patients, CT was a risk factor for SB, but DDR1 DNAm, although associated with CT, did not mediate the association of CT with SB. This is the first study demonstrating altered leukocyte DDR1 promoter DNAm in euthymic patients with BD. We conclude that altered DDR1 DNAm may be related to immune and inflammatory mechanisms and could be a potential blood biomarker for the diagnosis and stratification of psychiatric patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Garcia-Ruiz
- Hospital Universitari Institut Pere Mata, Reus, Spain
- Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV)-CERCA, Tarragona, Spain
- Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV), Reus, Spain
| | - Esther Jiménez
- Centro de investigación biomédica en red en salud mental (CIBERSAM)-Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Bipolar and Depressive Disorders Unit, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Departament de Medicina, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Neurosciences (UBNeuro), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelon, Spain
| | - Selena Aranda
- Hospital Universitari Institut Pere Mata, Reus, Spain
- Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV)-CERCA, Tarragona, Spain
- Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV), Reus, Spain
- Centro de investigación biomédica en red en salud mental (CIBERSAM)-Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Norma Verdolini
- Centro de investigación biomédica en red en salud mental (CIBERSAM)-Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Bipolar and Depressive Disorders Unit, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Departament de Medicina, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Neurosciences (UBNeuro), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelon, Spain
- FIDMAG Research Foundation, Germanes Hospitalàries, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alfonso Gutiérrez-Zotes
- Hospital Universitari Institut Pere Mata, Reus, Spain
- Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV)-CERCA, Tarragona, Spain
- Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV), Reus, Spain
- Centro de investigación biomédica en red en salud mental (CIBERSAM)-Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina Sáez
- Hospital Universitari Institut Pere Mata, Reus, Spain
- Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV)-CERCA, Tarragona, Spain
- Centro de investigación biomédica en red en salud mental (CIBERSAM)-Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Silvia Alonso-Lana
- Centro de investigación biomédica en red en salud mental (CIBERSAM)-Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- FIDMAG Research Foundation, Germanes Hospitalàries, Barcelona, Spain
- Research Center and Memory Clinic Fundació ACE, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut Català de Neurociències Aplicades, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mar Fatjó-Vilas
- Centro de investigación biomédica en red en salud mental (CIBERSAM)-Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- FIDMAG Research Foundation, Germanes Hospitalàries, Barcelona, Spain
- Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Salvador Sarró
- Centro de investigación biomédica en red en salud mental (CIBERSAM)-Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- FIDMAG Research Foundation, Germanes Hospitalàries, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Llanos Torres
- Hospital Mare de Déu de la Mercè, Unitat Polivalent, Germanes Hospitalàries, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francesco Panicalli
- Benito Menni Complex Assistencial en Salut Mental, Germanes Hospitalàries, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Caterina Del Mar Bonnin
- Centro de investigación biomédica en red en salud mental (CIBERSAM)-Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Bipolar and Depressive Disorders Unit, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Departament de Medicina, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Neurosciences (UBNeuro), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelon, Spain
| | - Edith Pomarol-Clotet
- Centro de investigación biomédica en red en salud mental (CIBERSAM)-Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- FIDMAG Research Foundation, Germanes Hospitalàries, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eduard Vieta
- Centro de investigación biomédica en red en salud mental (CIBERSAM)-Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Bipolar and Depressive Disorders Unit, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Departament de Medicina, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Neurosciences (UBNeuro), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelon, Spain
| | - Elisabet Vilella
- Hospital Universitari Institut Pere Mata, Reus, Spain.
- Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV)-CERCA, Tarragona, Spain.
- Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV), Reus, Spain.
- Centro de investigación biomédica en red en salud mental (CIBERSAM)-Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
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15
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Hu Y, Chen J, Li J, Xu Z. Models for depression recognition and efficacy assessment based on clinical and sequencing data. Heliyon 2024; 10:e33973. [PMID: 39130405 PMCID: PMC11315137 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e33973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Major depression is a complex psychiatric disorder that includes genetic, neurological, and cognitive factors. Early detection and intervention can prevent progression, and help select the best treatment. Traditional clinical diagnosis tends to be subjective and misdiagnosed. Based on this, this study leverages clinical scale assessments and sequencing data to construct disease prediction models. Firstly, data undergoes preprocessing involving normalization and other requisite procedures. Feature engineering is then applied to curate subsets of features, culminating in the construction of a model through the implementation of machine learning and deep learning algorithms. In this study, 18 features with significant differences between patients and healthy controls were selected. The depression recognition model was constructed by deep learning with an accuracy of 87.26 % and an AUC of 91.56 %, which can effectively distinguish patients with depression from healthy controls. In addition, 33 features selected by recursive feature elimination method were used to construct a prognostic effect model of patients after 2 weeks of treatment, with an accuracy of 75.94 % and an AUC of 83.33 %. The results show that the deep learning algorithm based on clinical and sequencing data has good accuracy and provides an objective and accurate method for the diagnosis and pharmacodynamic prediction of depression. Furthermore, the selected differential features can serve as candidate biomarkers to provide valuable clues for diagnosis and efficacy prediction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunyun Hu
- Key Laboratory of DGHD, MOE, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, 210096, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiang Chen
- Key Laboratory of DGHD, MOE, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, 210096, Nanjing, China
| | - Jian Li
- Key Laboratory of DGHD, MOE, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, 210096, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhi Xu
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychiatry, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Science and Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
- Research and Education Centre of General Practice, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
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16
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Eichenauer H, Fischer S, Gardini E, Onsongo S, Ehlert U. Effects of improved on-farm crop storage on DNA methylation of mothers and their infants: evidence from a randomized controlled trial in Kenya. Clin Epigenetics 2024; 16:90. [PMID: 38978139 PMCID: PMC11232227 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-024-01693-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stress during pregnancy can lead to adverse maternal and infant health outcomes through epigenetic changes in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Among farmers in low-income countries, one important stressor is food insecurity, which can be reduced using hermetic storage bags. This study aimed to determine, for the first time, whether a hermetic storage bag intervention during pregnancy positively affects maternal and infant DNA methylation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis-related genes FKBP5 and NR3C1. We further analyzed whether anthropometrics, stress, and mental health were associated with DNA methylation. METHODS This study was part of a larger matched-pair randomized controlled trial focusing on the impact of improved on-farm storage on food security, poverty, and net income of smallholder farming households. A total of N = 149 mothers were recruited by telephone and invited to attend a study appointment at health facilities in Kakamega County, Western Kenya, with their infants in April or May 2021. During the appointment, anthropometric measurements were taken, questionnaires on stress and mental health were administered, and saliva samples were collected. Logistic and multiple linear regression were used to examine the effect of the intervention and related measures on DNA methylation. RESULTS Mothers in the intervention group showed higher mean NR3C1 methylation levels than those in the control group, corrected for multiple testing. Maternal postpartum body mass index was positively associated with infant NR3C1 CpG3 DNA methylation. The more stressful life events a mother had experienced in the previous 12 months (including during pregnancy), the lower her FKBP5 CpG3 methylation levels. CONCLUSIONS Food insecurity and stressful life events during pregnancy seem to exert significant effects on maternal DNA methylation. While these stressors did not appear to impact infant DNA methylation in the present study, maternal postpartum body mass index was significantly related to infant methylation. These findings suggest that while infants may be protected from excessive maternal glucocorticoids by placental barrier activity, maternal metabolic status is still reflected in their epigenetic make-up. Trial registration This study was part of a larger matched-pair randomized controlled trial on the impact of improved on-farm crop storage on welfare, nutrition, and human health. Registration can be found in the American Economic Association (AEA) RCT Registry, RCT ID: AEARCTR-0005845.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heike Eichenauer
- Institute of Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Zurich, Binzmuehlestrasse 14/Box 26, 8050, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Susanne Fischer
- Institute of Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Zurich, Binzmuehlestrasse 14/Box 26, 8050, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Elena Gardini
- Institute of Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Zurich, Binzmuehlestrasse 14/Box 26, 8050, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Ulrike Ehlert
- Institute of Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Zurich, Binzmuehlestrasse 14/Box 26, 8050, Zurich, Switzerland.
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17
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de Nooij L, Wirz L, Heling E, Pais M, Hendriks GJ, Verkes RJ, Roozendaal B, Hermans EJ. Exogenous glucocorticoids to improve extinction learning for post-traumatic stress disorder patients with hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal-axis dysregulation: a study protocol description. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2024; 15:2364441. [PMID: 38973398 PMCID: PMC11232644 DOI: 10.1080/20008066.2024.2364441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Trauma-focused treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are effective for many patients. However, relapse may occur when acquired extinction memories fail to generalize beyond treatment contexts. A subgroup of PTSD patients - potentially with substantial exposure to early-life adversity (ELA) - show dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which results in lower cortisol levels. Glucocorticoids, including cortisol, appear to facilitate strength and generalization of emotional memories.Objective: We describe the protocol of an integrated PTSD study. We investigate (A) associations between HPA-axis dysregulation, ELA, epigenetic markers, and PTSD treatment outcome (observational study); and (B) effects of exogenous glucocorticoids on strength and generalization of extinction memories and associated neural mechanisms [pharmacological intervention study with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)]. The objective is to provide proof of concept that PTSD patients with HPA-axis dysregulation often experienced ELA and may show improved strength and generalization of extinction learning after glucocorticoid administration.Method: The observational study (n = 160 PTSD group, n = 30 control group) assesses ELA, follow-up PTSD symptoms, epigenetic markers, and HPA-axis characteristics (salivary cortisol levels during low-dose dexamethasone suppression test and socially evaluated cold-pressor test). The pharmacological intervention study (n = 80 PTSD group, with and without HPA-axis dysregulation) is a placebo-controlled fMRI study with a crossover design. To investigate strength and generalization of extinction memories, we use a differential fear acquisition, extinction, and extinction recall task with spatial contexts within a virtual environment. Prior to extinction learning, 20 mg hydrocortisone or placebo is administered. During next-day recall, strength of the extinction memory is determined by recovery of skin conductance and pupil dilation differential responding, whereas generalization is assessed by comparing responses between different spatial contexts.Conclusion: The integrated study described in the current protocol paper could inform a personalized treatment approach in which these PTSD patients may receive glucocorticoids as a treatment enhancer in trauma-focused therapies.Trial registration: The research project is registered in the European Union Drug Regulating Authorities Clinical Trials (EudraCT) database, https://eudract.ema.europa.eu/, EudraCT number 2020-000712-30.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura de Nooij
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Lisa Wirz
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Cognitive Psychology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Emma Heling
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Mariana Pais
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Gert-Jan Hendriks
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- ‘Overwaal’ Center of Expertise for Anxiety, Obsessive Compulsive and Posttraumatic Stress Disorders, Institution for Integrated Mental Health Care “Pro Persona”, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Robbert-Jan Verkes
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Kairos Forensic Care, Pompestichting, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Benno Roozendaal
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Erno J. Hermans
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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18
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Brown ER, Gettler LT, Rosenbaum S. Effects of social environments on male primate HPG and HPA axis developmental programming. Dev Psychobiol 2024; 66:e22491. [PMID: 38698633 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
Developmental plasticity is particularly important for humans and other primates because of our extended period of growth and maturation, during which our phenotypes adaptively respond to environmental cues. The hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) and hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axes are likely to be principal targets of developmental "programming" given their roles in coordinating fitness-relevant aspects of the phenotype, including sexual development, adult reproductive and social strategies, and internal responses to the external environment. In social animals, including humans, the social environment is believed to be an important source of cues to which these axes may adaptively respond. The effects of early social environments on the HPA axis have been widely studied in humans, and to some extent, in other primates, but there are still major gaps in knowledge specifically relating to males. There has also been relatively little research examining the role that social environments play in developmental programming of the HPG axis or the HPA/HPG interface, and what does exist disproportionately focuses on females. These topics are likely understudied in males in part due to the difficulty of identifying developmental milestones in males relative to females and the general quiescence of the HPG axis prior to maturation. However, there are clear indicators that early life social environments matter for both sexes. In this review, we examine what is known about the impact of social environments on HPG and HPA axis programming during male development in humans and nonhuman primates, including the role that epigenetic mechanisms may play in this programming. We conclude by highlighting important next steps in this research area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ella R Brown
- Department of Anthropology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Lee T Gettler
- Department of Anthropology, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
- Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Stacy Rosenbaum
- Department of Anthropology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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19
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Boldrini M, Xiao Y, Sing T, Zhu C, Jabbi M, Pantazopoulos H, Gürsoy G, Martinowich K, Punzi G, Vallender EJ, Zody M, Berretta S, Hyde TM, Kleinman JE, Marenco S, Roussos P, Lewis DA, Turecki G, Lehner T, Mann JJ. Omics Approaches to Investigate the Pathogenesis of Suicide. Biol Psychiatry 2024:S0006-3223(24)01352-0. [PMID: 38821194 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2024.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
Suicide is the second leading cause of death in U.S. adolescents and young adults and is generally associated with a psychiatric disorder. Suicidal behavior has a complex etiology and pathogenesis. Moderate heritability suggests genetic causes. Associations between childhood and recent life adversity indicate contributions from epigenetic factors. Genomic contributions to suicide pathogenesis remain largely unknown. This article is based on a workshop held to design strategies to identify molecular drivers of suicide neurobiology that would be putative new treatment targets. The panel determined that while bulk tissue studies provide comprehensive information, single-nucleus approaches that identify cell type-specific changes are needed. While single-nuclei techniques lack information on cytoplasm, processes, spines, and synapses, spatial multiomic technologies on intact tissue detect cell alterations specific to brain tissue layers and subregions. Because suicide has genetic and environmental drivers, multiomic approaches that combine cell type-specific epigenome, transcriptome, and proteome provide a more complete picture of pathogenesis. To determine the direction of effect of suicide risk gene variants on RNA and protein expression and how these interact with epigenetic marks, single-nuclei and spatial multiomics quantitative trait loci maps should be integrated with whole-genome sequencing and genome-wide association databases. The workshop concluded with a recommendation for the formation of an international suicide biology consortium that will bring together brain banks and investigators with expertise in cutting-edge omics technologies to delineate the biology of suicide and identify novel potential treatment targets to be tested in cellular and animal models for drug and biomarker discovery to guide suicide prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maura Boldrini
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, New York; Division of Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York.
| | - Yang Xiao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Tarjinder Sing
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, New York; Division of Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York; New York Genome Center, New York, New York
| | - Chenxu Zhu
- New York Genome Center, New York, New York; Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Mbemba Jabbi
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Mulva Clinics for the Neurosciences, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Harry Pantazopoulos
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi
| | - Gamze Gürsoy
- New York Genome Center, New York, New York; Departments of Biomedical Informatics and Computer Science, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Keri Martinowich
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Giovanna Punzi
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Eric J Vallender
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi
| | | | - Sabina Berretta
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Brain Tissue Resource Center, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts
| | - Thomas M Hyde
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Joel E Kleinman
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Stefano Marenco
- Human Brain Collection Core, National Institute of Mental Health's (NIMH) Division of Intramural Research Programs, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Panagiotis Roussos
- Center for Precision Medicine and Translational Therapeutics, Mental Illness Research Education, and Clinical Center (VISN 2 South), James J. Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, New York
| | - David A Lewis
- Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Gustavo Turecki
- Department of Psychiatry, Douglas Institute, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | | | - J John Mann
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, New York; Division of Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York
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20
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Harmon IP, McCabe EA, Vergun MR, Weinstein J, Graves HL, Boldt CM, Bradley DD, Lee J, Maurice JM, Solomon-Lane TK. Multiple behavioral mechanisms shape development in a highly social cichlid fish. Physiol Behav 2024; 278:114520. [PMID: 38492910 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2024.114520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
Early-life social experiences shape adult phenotype, yet the underlying behavioral mechanisms remain poorly understood. We manipulated early-life social experience in the highly social African cichlid fish Astatotilapia burtoni to investigate the effects on behavior and stress axis function in juveniles. Juveniles experienced different numbers of social partners in stable pairs (1 partner), stable groups (6 fish; 5 partners), and socialized pairs (a novel fish was exchanged every 5 days; 5 partners). Treatments also differed in group size (groups vs. pairs) and stability (stable vs. socialized). We then measured individual behavior and water-borne cortisol to identify effects of early-life experience. We found treatment differences in behavior across all assays: open field exploration, social cue investigation, dominant behavior, and subordinate behavior. Treatment did not affect cortisol. Principal components (PC) analysis revealed robust co-variation of behavior across contexts, including with cortisol, to form behavioral syndromes sensitive to early-life social experience. PC1 (25.1 %) differed by social partner number: juveniles with more partners (groups and socialized pairs) were more exploratory during the social cue investigation, spent less time in the territory, and were more interactive as dominants. PC5 (8.5 %) differed by stability: socialized pairs were more dominant, spent less time in and around the territory, were more socially investigative, and had lower cortisol than stable groups or pairs. Observations of the home tanks provided insights into the social experiences that may underlie these effects. These results contribute to our understanding of how early-life social experiences are accrued and exert strong, lasting effects on phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - June Lee
- Claremont McKenna College, Claremont, CA, USA
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21
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Uvnäs-Moberg K, Gross MM, Calleja-Agius J, Turner JD. The Yin and Yang of the oxytocin and stress systems: opposites, yet interdependent and intertwined determinants of lifelong health trajectories. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1272270. [PMID: 38689729 PMCID: PMC11058227 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1272270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
During parturition and the immediate post-partum period there are two opposite, yet interdependent and intertwined systems that are highly active and play a role in determining lifelong health and behaviour in both the mother and her infant: the stress and the anti-stress (oxytocin) system. Before attempting to understand how the environment around birth determines long-term health trajectories, it is essential to understand how these two systems operate and how they interact. Here, we discuss together the hormonal and neuronal arms of both the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the oxytocinergic systems and how they interact. Although the HPA axis and glucocorticoid stress axis are well studied, the role of oxytocin as an extremely powerful anti-stress hormone deserves more attention. It is clear that these anti-stress effects depend on oxytocinergic nerves emanating from the supraoptic nucleus (SON) and paraventricular nucleus (PVN), and project to multiple sites at which the stress system is regulated. These, include projections to corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) neurons within the PVN, to the anterior pituitary, to areas involved in sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous control, to NA neurons in the locus coeruleus (LC), and to CRH neurons in the amygdala. In the context of the interaction between the HPA axis and the oxytocin system birth is a particularly interesting period as, for both the mother and the infant, both systems are very strongly activated within the same narrow time window. Data suggest that the HPA axis and the oxytocin system appear to interact in this early-life period, with effects lasting many years. If mother-child skin-to-skin contact occurs almost immediately postpartum, the effects of the anti-stress (oxytocin) system become more prominent, moderating lifelong health trajectories. There is clear evidence that HPA axis activity during this time is dependent on the balance between the HPA axis and the oxytocin system, the latter being reinforced by specific somatosensory inputs, and this has long-term consequences for stress reactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerstin Uvnäs-Moberg
- Department of Animal Environment and Health, Section of Anthrozoology and Applied Ethology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Skara, Sweden
| | - Mechthild M. Gross
- Midwifery Research and Education Unit, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jean Calleja-Agius
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Jonathan D. Turner
- Immune Endocrine Epigenetics Research Group, Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Esch sur Alzette, Luxembourg
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22
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Taylor JY, Jones-Patten A, Prescott L, Potts-Thompson S, Joyce C, Tayo B, Saban K. The race-based stress reduction intervention (RiSE) study on African American women in NYC and Chicago: Design and methods for complex genomic analysis. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0295293. [PMID: 38598554 PMCID: PMC11006145 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0295293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
RiSE study aims to evaluate a race-based stress-reduction intervention as an effective strategy to improve coping and decrease stress-related symptoms, inflammatory burden, and modify DNA methylation of stress response-related genes in older AA women. This article will describe genomic analytic methods to be utilized in this longitudinal, randomized clinical trial of older adult AA women in Chicago and NYC that examines the effect of the RiSE intervention on DNAm pre- and post-intervention, and its overall influence on inflammatory burden. Salivary DNAm will be measured at baseline and 6 months following the intervention, using the Oragene-DNA kit. Measures of perceived stress, depressive symptoms, fatigue, sleep, inflammatory burden, and coping strategies will be assessed at 4 time points including at baseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 6 months. Genomic data analysis will include the use of pre-processed and quality-controlled methylation data expressed as beta (β) values. Association analyses will be performed to detect differentially methylated sites on the targeted candidate genes between the intervention and non-intervention groups using the Δβ (changes in methylation) with adjustment for age, health behaviors, early life adversity, hybridization batch, and top principal components of the probes as covariates. To account for multiple testing, we will use FDR adjustment with a corrected p-value of <0.05 regarded as statistically significant. To assess the relationship between inflammatory burden and Δβ among the study samples, we will repeat association analyses with the inclusion of individual inflammation protein measures. ANCOVA will be used because it is more statistically powerful to detect differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacquelyn Y. Taylor
- Center for Research on People of Color, Columbia University School of Nursing, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Alexandria Jones-Patten
- Center for Research on People of Color, Columbia University School of Nursing, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Laura Prescott
- Center for Research on People of Color, Columbia University School of Nursing, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Stephanie Potts-Thompson
- Center for Research on People of Color, Columbia University School of Nursing, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Cara Joyce
- Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Bamidele Tayo
- Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Karen Saban
- Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing, Center for Translational Research and Education, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, Illinois, United States of America
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23
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Suglia SF, Clausing ES, Shelton RC, Conneely K, Prada-Ortega D, DeVivo I, Factor-Litvak P, Cirillo P, Baccarelli AA, Cohn B, Link BG. Cumulative Stress Across the Life Course and Biological Aging in Adulthood. Psychosom Med 2024; 86:137-145. [PMID: 38345302 PMCID: PMC11001534 DOI: 10.1097/psy.0000000000001284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Psychosocial stressors have been linked with accelerated biological aging in adults; however, few studies have examined stressors across the life course in relation to biological aging. METHODS In 359 individuals (57% White, 34% Black) from the Child Health and Development Studies Disparities study, economic (income, education, financial strain), social (parent-child relations, caretaker responsibilities) and traumatic (death of a sibling or child, violence exposure) stressors were assessed at multiple time points (birth and ages 9, 15, and 50 years). Experiences of major discrimination were assessed at age 50. Life period stress scores were then assessed as childhood (birth-age 15 years) and adulthood (age 50 years). At age 50 years, participants provided blood samples, and DNA methylation was assessed with the EPIC BeadChip. Epigenetic age was estimated using six epigenetic clocks (Horvath, Hannum, Skin and Blood age, PhenoAge, GrimAge, Dunedin Pace of Aging). Age acceleration was determined using residuals from regressing chronologic age on each of the epigenetic age metrics. Telomere length was assessed using the quantitative polymerase chain reaction-based methods. RESULTS In linear regression models adjusted for race and gender, total life stress, and childhood and adult stress independently predicted accelerated aging based on GrimAge and faster pace of aging based on the DunedinPace. Associations were attenuated after adjusting for smoking status. In sex-stratified analyses, greater childhood stress was associated with accelerated epigenetic aging among women but not men. No associations were noted with telomere length. CONCLUSIONS We found that cumulative stressors across the life course were associated with accelerated epigenetic age, with differences by sex (e.g., accelerated among women). Further research of this association in large and diverse samples is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shakira F Suglia
- From the Department of Epidemiology (Suglia), Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia; School of Global Integrative Studies (Clausing) and Center for Brain, Biology, and Behavior (Clausing), University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska; Department of Sociomedical Sciences (Shelton), Mailman School of Public Health, New York, New York; Department of Human Genetics (Conneely, Baccarelli), School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia; Department of Environmental Health (Prada-Ortega), Mailman School of Public Health, New York, New York; Department of Epidemiology (DeVivo), Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health; Channing Division of Network Medicine (DeVivo), Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Epidemiology (Factor-Litvak), Mailman School of Public Health, New York, New York; Child Health and Development Studies (Cirillo, Cohn), Public Health Institute, Berkeley; and Department of Sociology (Link), University of California Riverside, Riverside, California
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24
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Burenkova OV, Grigorenko EL. The role of epigenetic mechanisms in the long-term effects of early-life adversity and mother-infant relationship on physiology and behavior of offspring in laboratory rats and mice. Dev Psychobiol 2024; 66:e22479. [PMID: 38470450 PMCID: PMC10959231 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Maternal care during the early postnatal period of altricial mammals is a key factor in the survival and adaptation of offspring to environmental conditions. Natural variations in maternal care and experimental manipulations with maternal-child relationships modeling early-life adversity (ELA) in laboratory rats and mice have a strong long-term influence on the physiology and behavior of offspring in rats and mice. This literature review is devoted to the latest research on the role of epigenetic mechanisms in these effects of ELA and mother-infant relationship, with a focus on the regulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and brain-derived neurotrophic factor. An important part of this review is dedicated to pharmacological interventions and epigenetic editing as tools for studying the causal role of epigenetic mechanisms in the development of physiological and behavioral profiles. A special section of the manuscript will discuss the translational potential of the discussed research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga V. Burenkova
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
- Texas Institute for Measurement, Evaluation, and Statistics, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Elena L. Grigorenko
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
- Texas Institute for Measurement, Evaluation, and Statistics, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
- Center for Cognitive Sciences, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi, Russia
- Departments of Molecular and Human Genetics and Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- Child Study Center, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Research Administration, Moscow State University for Psychology and Education, Moscow, Russia
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25
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Seebacher F, Little AG. Thyroid hormone links environmental signals to DNA methylation. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2024; 379:20220506. [PMID: 38310936 PMCID: PMC10838643 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2022.0506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Environmental conditions experienced within and across generations can impact individual phenotypes via so-called 'epigenetic' processes. Here we suggest that endocrine signalling acts as a 'sensor' linking environmental inputs to epigenetic modifications. We focus on thyroid hormone signalling and DNA methylation, but other mechanisms are likely to act in a similar manner. DNA methylation is one of the most important epigenetic mechanisms, which alters gene expression patterns by methylating cytosine bases via DNA methyltransferase enzymes. Thyroid hormone is mechanistically linked to DNA methylation, at least partly by regulating the activity of DNA methyltransferase 3a, which is the principal enzyme that mediates epigenetic responses to environmental change. Thyroid signalling is sensitive to natural and anthropogenic environmental impacts (e.g. light, temperature, endocrine-disrupting pollution), and here we propose that thyroid hormone acts as an environmental sensor to mediate epigenetic modifications. The nexus between thyroid hormone signalling and DNA methylation can integrate multiple environmental signals to modify phenotypes, and coordinate phenotypic plasticity at different time scales, such as within and across generations. These dynamics can have wide-ranging effects on health and fitness of animals, because they influence the time course of phenotypic adjustments and potentially the range of environmental stimuli that can elicit epigenetic responses. This article is part of the theme issue 'Endocrine responses to environmental variation: conceptual approaches and recent developments'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Seebacher
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences A08, University of Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Alexander G. Little
- Department of Biology, Life Sciences Building, McMaster University, Ontario, Canada L8S 4K1
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26
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Siller Wilks SJ, Heidinger BJ, Westneat DF, Solomon J, Rubenstein DR. The impact of parental and developmental stress on DNA methylation in the avian hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Mol Ecol 2024; 33:e17291. [PMID: 38343177 DOI: 10.1111/mec.17291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis coordinates an organism's response to environmental stress. The responsiveness and sensitivity of an offspring's stress response may be shaped not only by stressors encountered in their early post-natal environment but also by stressors in their parent's environment. Yet, few studies have considered how stressors encountered in both of these early life environments may function together to impact the developing HPA axis. Here, we manipulated stressors in the parental and post-natal environments in a population of house sparrows (Passer domesticus) to assess their impact on changes in DNA methylation (and corresponding gene expression) in a suite of genes within the HPA axis. We found that nestlings that experienced early life stress across both life-history periods had higher DNA methylation in a critical HPA axis gene, the glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1). In addition, we found that the life-history stage when stress was encountered impacted some genes (HSD11B1, NR3C1 and NR3C2) differently. We also found evidence for the mitigation of parental stress by post-natal stress (in HSD11B1 and NR3C2). Finally, by assessing DNA methylation in both the brain and blood, we were able to evaluate cross-tissue patterns. While some differentially methylated regions were tissue-specific, we found cross-tissue changes in NR3C2 and NR3C1, suggesting that blood is a suitable tissue for assessing DNA methylation as a biomarker of early life stress. Our results provide a crucial first step in understanding the mechanisms by which early life stress in different life-history periods contributes to changes in the epigenome of the HPA axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie J Siller Wilks
- Department of Ecology Evolution and Environmental Biology, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Britt J Heidinger
- Biological Sciences Department, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota, USA
| | - David F Westneat
- Department of Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Joseph Solomon
- Department of Ecology Evolution and Environmental Biology, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Dustin R Rubenstein
- Department of Ecology Evolution and Environmental Biology, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
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27
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Yano-Nashimoto S, Truzzi A, Shinozuka K, Murayama AY, Kurachi T, Moriya-Ito K, Tokuno H, Miyazawa E, Esposito G, Okano H, Nakamura K, Saito A, Kuroda KO. Anxious about rejection, avoidant of neglect: Infant marmosets tune their attachment based on individual caregiver's parenting style. Commun Biol 2024; 7:212. [PMID: 38378797 PMCID: PMC10879543 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-05875-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Children's secure attachment with their primary caregivers is crucial for physical, cognitive, and emotional maturation. Yet, the causal links between specific parenting behaviors and infant attachment patterns are not fully understood. Here we report infant attachment in New World monkeys common marmosets, characterized by shared infant care among parents and older siblings and complex vocal communications. By integrating natural variations in parenting styles and subsecond-scale microanalyses of dyadic vocal and physical interactions, we demonstrate that marmoset infants signal their needs through context-dependent call use and selective approaches toward familiar caregivers. The infant attachment behaviors are tuned to each caregiver's parenting style; infants use negative calls when carried by rejecting caregivers and selectively avoid neglectful and rejecting caregivers. Family-deprived infants fail to develop such adaptive uses of attachment behaviors. With these similarities with humans, marmosets offer a promising model for investigating the biological mechanisms of attachment security.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saori Yano-Nashimoto
- Laboratory for Affiliative Social Behavior, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Wako, Japan
- Laboratory of Physiology, Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Anna Truzzi
- Laboratory for Affiliative Social Behavior, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Wako, Japan
- Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, School of Psychology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, University of Trento, Rovereto, TN, Italy
| | - Kazutaka Shinozuka
- Laboratory for Affiliative Social Behavior, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Wako, Japan
- Planning, Review and Research Institute for Social insurance and Medical program, Chiyoda-ku, Japan
| | - Ayako Y Murayama
- Laboratory for Affiliative Social Behavior, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Wako, Japan
- Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Japan
- Laboratory for Marmoset Neural Architecture, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Wako, Japan
- Neural Circuit Unit, Okinawa Institute Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna, Japan
| | - Takuma Kurachi
- Laboratory for Affiliative Social Behavior, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Wako, Japan
- Department of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Japan
| | - Keiko Moriya-Ito
- Department of Brain & Neurosciences, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Setagaya-ku, Japan
| | - Hironobu Tokuno
- Department of Brain & Neurosciences, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Setagaya-ku, Japan
| | - Eri Miyazawa
- Laboratory for Affiliative Social Behavior, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Wako, Japan
| | - Gianluca Esposito
- Laboratory for Affiliative Social Behavior, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Wako, Japan
- Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, University of Trento, Rovereto, TN, Italy
| | - Hideyuki Okano
- Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Japan
- Laboratory for Marmoset Neural Architecture, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Wako, Japan
| | - Katsuki Nakamura
- Center for the Evolutionary Origins of Human Behavior, Kyoto University, Inuyama, Japan
| | - Atsuko Saito
- Laboratory for Affiliative Social Behavior, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Wako, Japan.
- Department of Psychology, Sophia University, Chiyoda-ku, Japan.
| | - Kumi O Kuroda
- Laboratory for Affiliative Social Behavior, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Wako, Japan.
- Kuroda Laboratory, School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan.
- Laboratory for Circuit and Behavioral Physiology, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Wako, Japan.
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28
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Dieckmann L, Czamara D. Epigenetics of prenatal stress in humans: the current research landscape. Clin Epigenetics 2024; 16:20. [PMID: 38308342 PMCID: PMC10837967 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-024-01635-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Fetal exposure to prenatal stress can have significant consequences on short- and long-term health. Epigenetic mechanisms, especially DNA methylation (DNAm), are a possible process how these adverse environmental events could be biologically embedded. We evaluated candidate gene as well as epigenome-wide association studies associating prenatal stress and DNAm changes in peripheral tissues; however, most of these findings lack robust replication. Prenatal stress-associated epigenetic changes have also been linked to child health including internalizing problems, neurobehavioral outcomes and stress reactivity. Future studies should focus on refined measurement and definition of prenatal stress and its timing, ideally also incorporating genomic as well as longitudinal information. This will provide further opportunities to enhance our understanding of the biological embedding of prenatal stress exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Dieckmann
- Department Genes and Environment, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
- International Max Planck Research School for Translational Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Darina Czamara
- Department Genes and Environment, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany.
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29
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Theodoridou D, Tsiantis CO, Vlaikou AM, Chondrou V, Zakopoulou V, Christodoulides P, Oikonomou ED, Tzimourta KD, Kostoulas C, Tzallas AT, Tsamis KI, Peschos D, Sgourou A, Filiou MD, Syrrou M. Developmental Dyslexia: Insights from EEG-Based Findings and Molecular Signatures-A Pilot Study. Brain Sci 2024; 14:139. [PMID: 38391714 PMCID: PMC10887023 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14020139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Developmental dyslexia (DD) is a learning disorder. Although risk genes have been identified, environmental factors, and particularly stress arising from constant difficulties, have been associated with the occurrence of DD by affecting brain plasticity and function, especially during critical neurodevelopmental stages. In this work, electroencephalogram (EEG) findings were coupled with the genetic and epigenetic molecular signatures of individuals with DD and matched controls. Specifically, we investigated the genetic and epigenetic correlates of key stress-associated genes (NR3C1, NR3C2, FKBP5, GILZ, SLC6A4) with psychological characteristics (depression, anxiety, and stress) often included in DD diagnostic criteria, as well as with brain EEG findings. We paired the observed brain rhythms with the expression levels of stress-related genes, investigated the epigenetic profile of the stress regulator glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and correlated such indices with demographic findings. This study presents a new interdisciplinary approach and findings that support the idea that stress, attributed to the demands of the school environment, may act as a contributing factor in the occurrence of the DD phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Theodoridou
- Laboratory of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Christos-Orestis Tsiantis
- Laboratory of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Angeliki-Maria Vlaikou
- Biomedical Research Institute, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH), 45110 Ioannina, Greece
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Biological Applications and Technology, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Vasiliki Chondrou
- Laboratory of Biology, School of Science and Technology, Hellenic Open University, 26335 Patras, Greece
| | - Victoria Zakopoulou
- Department of Speech and Language Therapy, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Pavlos Christodoulides
- Department of Speech and Language Therapy, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
- Laboratory of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Emmanouil D Oikonomou
- Department of Informatics and Telecommunications, School of Informatics & Telecommunications, University of Ioannina, 47100 Arta, Greece
| | - Katerina D Tzimourta
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Western Macedonia, 50100 Kozani, Greece
| | - Charilaos Kostoulas
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Alexandros T Tzallas
- Department of Informatics and Telecommunications, School of Informatics & Telecommunications, University of Ioannina, 47100 Arta, Greece
| | - Konstantinos I Tsamis
- Laboratory of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Peschos
- Laboratory of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Argyro Sgourou
- Laboratory of Biology, School of Science and Technology, Hellenic Open University, 26335 Patras, Greece
| | - Michaela D Filiou
- Biomedical Research Institute, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH), 45110 Ioannina, Greece
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Biological Applications and Technology, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Maria Syrrou
- Laboratory of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
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Merz EC, Myers B, Hansen M, Simon KR, Strack J, Noble KG. Socioeconomic Disparities in Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Regulation and Prefrontal Cortical Structure. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY GLOBAL OPEN SCIENCE 2024; 4:83-96. [PMID: 38090738 PMCID: PMC10714216 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsgos.2023.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Socioeconomic disadvantage during childhood predicts an increased risk for mental health problems across the life span. Socioeconomic disadvantage shapes multiple aspects of children's proximal environments and increases exposure to chronic stressors. Drawing from multiple literatures, we propose that childhood socioeconomic disadvantage may lead to adaptive changes in the regulation of stress response systems including the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. These changes, in turn, affect the development of prefrontal cortical (PFC) circuitry responsible for top-down control over cognitive and emotional processes. Translational findings indicate that chronic stress reduces dendritic complexity and spine density in the medial PFC and anterior cingulate cortex, in part through altered HPA axis regulation. Socioeconomic disadvantage has frequently been associated with reduced gray matter in the dorsolateral and ventrolateral PFC and anterior cingulate cortex and lower fractional anisotropy in the superior longitudinal fasciculus, cingulum bundle, and uncinate fasciculus during middle childhood and adolescence. Evidence of socioeconomic disparities in hair cortisol concentrations in children has accumulated, although null findings have been reported. Coupled with links between cortisol levels and reduced gray matter in the PFC and anterior cingulate cortex, these results support mechanistic roles for the HPA axis and these PFC circuits. Future longitudinal studies should simultaneously consider multiple dimensions of proximal factors, including cognitive stimulation, while focusing on epigenetic processes and genetic moderators to elucidate how socioeconomic context may influence the HPA axis and PFC circuitry involved in cognitive and emotional control. These findings, which point to modifiable factors, can be harnessed to inform policy and more effective prevention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily C. Merz
- Department of Psychology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado
| | - Brent Myers
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado
| | - Melissa Hansen
- Department of Psychology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado
| | - Katrina R. Simon
- Department of Biobehavioral Sciences, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Jordan Strack
- Department of Psychology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado
| | - Kimberly G. Noble
- Department of Biobehavioral Sciences, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, New York
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Dias BG. Legacies of salient environmental experiences-insights from chemosensation. Chem Senses 2024; 49:bjae002. [PMID: 38219073 PMCID: PMC10825851 DOI: 10.1093/chemse/bjae002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Evidence for parental environments profoundly influencing the physiology, biology, and neurobiology of future generations has been accumulating in the literature. Recent efforts to understand this phenomenon and its underlying mechanisms have sought to use species like rodents and insects to model multi-generational legacies of parental experiences like stress and nutritional exposures. From these studies, we have come to appreciate that parental exposure to salient environmental experiences impacts the cadence of brain development, hormonal responses to stress, and the expression of genes that govern cellular responses to stress in offspring. Recent studies using chemosensory exposure have emerged as a powerful tool to shed new light on how future generations come to be influenced by environments to which parents are exposed. With a specific focus on studies that have leveraged such use of salient chemosensory experiences, this review synthesizes our current understanding of the concept, causes, and consequences of the inheritance of chemosensory legacies by future generations and how this field of inquiry informs the larger picture of how parental experiences can influence offspring biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian G Dias
- Developmental Neuroscience and Neurogenetics Program, The Saban Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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de Kloet ER, Joëls M. The cortisol switch between vulnerability and resilience. Mol Psychiatry 2024; 29:20-34. [PMID: 36599967 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01934-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
In concert with neuropeptides and transmitters, the end products of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the glucocorticoid hormones cortisol and corticosterone (CORT), promote resilience: i.e., the ability to cope with threats, adversity, and trauma. To exert this protective action, CORT activates mineralocorticoid receptors (MR) and glucocorticoid receptors (GR) that operate in a complementary manner -as an on/off switch- to coordinate circadian events, stress-coping, and adaptation. The evolutionary older limbic MR facilitates contextual memory retrieval and supports an on-switch in the selection of stress-coping styles at a low cost. The rise in circulating CORT concentration after stress subsequently activates a GR-mediated off-switch underlying recovery of homeostasis by providing the energy for restraining the primary stress reactions and promoting cognitive control over emotional reactivity. GR activation facilitates contextual memory storage of the experience to enable future stress-coping. Such complementary MR-GR-mediated actions involve rapid non-genomic and slower gene-mediated mechanisms; they are time-dependent, conditional, and sexually dimorphic, and depend on genetic background and prior experience. If coping fails, GR activation impairs cognitive control and promotes emotional arousal which eventually may compromise resilience. Such breakdown of resilience involves a transition to a chronic stress construct, where information processing is crashed; it leads to an imbalanced MR-GR switch and hence increased vulnerability. Novel MR-GR modulators are becoming available that may reset a dysregulated stress response system to reinstate the cognitive flexibility required for resilience.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Ronald de Kloet
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands.
- Leiden/Amsterdam Center of Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Marian Joëls
- Dept. Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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Mou J, Zhou H, Feng Z. The Association Between Anemia and Depressive Symptoms in Non-White Male Adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2005-2018). J Res Health Sci 2023; 23:e00598. [PMID: 38315913 PMCID: PMC10843320 DOI: 10.34172/jrhs.2023.133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The relationship between anemia and depression remains controversial. This study aimed to investigate the association between hemoglobin (Hb) levels and depressive symptoms. Study Design: A cross-sectional study. METHODS This study was conducted using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data from 2005-2018. Hb levels were obtained from laboratory files, and depressive symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Multivariable logistic regression analysis and smoothing plots were performed to examine the relationship between anemia and depression, including potential nonlinear associations. RESULTS The study included 6008 male adults. Multivariable analysis revealed that anemia was associated with an increased odds ratio for mild (OR=1.49, 95% CI: 1.06, 2.10) and moderate (OR=2.05, 95% CI: 1.14-3.70) anemia. Additionally, each additional g/dL of Hb was significantly inversely associated with developing depression (OR=0.91, 95% CI: 0.85, 0.96). A nonlinear relationship was detected between Hb and depression, with an inflection point at 15 g/dL. Below this threshold, there was a significantly negative association between Hb and depression (OR=0.88, 95% CI: 0.79, 0.98); no significant relationship was observed above it (OR=1.05, 95% CI: 0.84, 1.31). CONCLUSION Anemia was positively associated with depression in non-White American men. A nonlinear relationship between Hb and depression was detected, and it had a saturation effect. A significant negative correlation with depression was observed when the Hb level was below 15 g/dL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinsong Mou
- Pingshan District Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital of Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | - Haishan Zhou
- Pingshan District Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital of Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhangui Feng
- Pingshan District Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital of Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
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Kenwood MM, Souaiaia T, Kovner R, Fox AS, French DA, Oler JA, Roseboom PH, Riedel MK, Mueller SAL, Kalin NH. Gene expression in the primate orbitofrontal cortex related to anxious temperament. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2305775120. [PMID: 38011550 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2305775120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Anxiety disorders are among the most prevalent psychiatric disorders, causing significant suffering and disability. Relative to other psychiatric disorders, anxiety disorders tend to emerge early in life, supporting the importance of developmental mechanisms in their emergence and maintenance. Behavioral inhibition (BI) is a temperament that emerges early in life and, when stable and extreme, is linked to an increased risk for the later development of anxiety disorders and other stress-related psychopathology. Understanding the neural systems and molecular mechanisms underlying this dispositional risk could provide insight into treatment targets for anxiety disorders. Nonhuman primates (NHPs) have an anxiety-related temperament, called anxious temperament (AT), that is remarkably similar to BI in humans, facilitating the design of highly translational models for studying the early risk for stress-related psychopathology. Because of the recent evolutionary divergence between humans and NHPs, many of the anxiety-related brain regions that contribute to psychopathology are highly similar in terms of their structure and function, particularly with respect to the prefrontal cortex. The orbitofrontal cortex plays a critical role in the flexible encoding and regulation of threat responses, in part through connections with subcortical structures like the amygdala. Here, we explore individual differences in the transcriptional profile of cells within the region, using laser capture microdissection and single nuclear sequencing, providing insight into the molecules underlying individual differences in AT-related function of the pOFC, with a particular focus on previously implicated cellular systems, including neurotrophins and glucocorticoid signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaux M Kenwood
- Neuroscience Training Program, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53705
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53719
| | - Tade Souaiaia
- Department of Cell Biology, State University of New York Downstate, New York, NY 11228
| | - Rothem Kovner
- Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510
| | - Andrew S Fox
- Department of Psychology and California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, CA 95616
| | - Delores A French
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53719
| | - Jonathan A Oler
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53719
| | | | - Marissa K Riedel
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53719
| | | | - Ned H Kalin
- Neuroscience Training Program, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53705
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53719
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53715
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Khoury JE, Ahtam B, Ou Y, Jenkins E, Klengel T, Enlow MB, Grant E, Lyons-Ruth K. Linking maternal disrupted interaction and infant limbic volumes: The role of infant cortisol output. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2023; 158:106379. [PMID: 37683305 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2023.106379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
Despite a large animal literature documenting the role of low maternal nurturance and elevated glucocorticoid production on offspring limbic development, these pathways have not yet been assessed during human infancy. Informed by animal models, the present study examined whether 1) maternal disrupted interaction is related to infant cortisol levels, 2) infant cortisol levels are associated with infant limbic volumes, and 3) infant cortisol levels mediate associations between maternal disrupted interaction and infant limbic volumes. Participants included 57 mother-infant dyads. Infant saliva was measured at one time point before and two time points after the Still-Face Paradigm (SFP) at age 4 months. Five aspects of maternal disrupted interaction were coded during the SFP reunion episode. Between 4 and 25 months (M age = 11.74 months, SD = 6.12), under natural sleep, infants completed an MRI. Amygdala and hippocampal volumes were calculated via automated segmentation. Results indicated that 1) maternal disrupted interaction, and specifically disoriented interaction, with the infant was associated with higher infant salivary cortisol (AUCg) levels during the SFP, 2) higher infant AUCg was related to enlarged bilateral amygdala and hippocampal volumes, and 3) infant AUCg mediated the relation between maternal disrupted interaction and infant amygdala and hippocampal volumes. Findings are consistent with controlled animal studies and provide evidence of a link between increased cortisol levels and enlarged limbic volumes in human infants. Results further suggest that established interventions to decrease maternal disrupted interaction could impact both infant cortisol levels and infant limbic volumes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Banu Ahtam
- Fetal-Neonatal Neuroimaging & Developmental Science Center, Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, United States
| | - Yangming Ou
- Fetal-Neonatal Neuroimaging & Developmental Science Center, Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, United States; Department of Radiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, United States
| | | | - Torsten Klengel
- Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, United States
| | - Michelle Bosquet Enlow
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Boston Children's Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, United States
| | - Ellen Grant
- Fetal-Neonatal Neuroimaging & Developmental Science Center, Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, United States
| | - Karlen Lyons-Ruth
- Department of Psychiatry, Cambridge Hospital, Harvard Medical School, United States
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Lyons-Ruth K, Li FH, Khoury JE, Ahtam B, Sisitsky M, Ou Y, Enlow MB, Grant E. Maternal Childhood Abuse Versus Neglect Associated with Differential Patterns of Infant Brain Development. Res Child Adolesc Psychopathol 2023; 51:1919-1932. [PMID: 37160577 PMCID: PMC10661793 DOI: 10.1007/s10802-023-01041-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Severity of maternal childhood maltreatment has been associated with lower infant grey matter volume and amygdala volume during the first two years of life. A developing literature argues that effects of threat (abuse) and of deprivation (neglect) should be assessed separately because these distinct aspects of adversity may have different impacts on developmental outcomes. However, distinct effects of threat versus deprivation have not been assessed in relation to intergenerational effects of child maltreatment. The objective of this study was to separately assess the links of maternal childhood abuse and neglect with infant grey matter volume (GMV), white matter volume (WMV), amygdala and hippocampal volume. Participants included 57 mother-infant dyads. Mothers were assessed for childhood abuse and neglect using the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) questionnaire in a sample enriched for childhood maltreatment. Between 4 and 24 months (M age = 12.28 months, SD = 5.99), under natural sleep, infants completed an MRI using a 3.0 T Siemens scanner. GMV, WMV, amygdala and hippocampal volumes were extracted via automated segmentation. Maternal history of neglect, but not abuse, was associated with lower infant GMV. Maternal history of abuse, but not neglect, interacted with age such that abuse was associated with smaller infant amygdala volume at older ages. Results are consistent with a threat versus deprivation framework, in which threat impacts limbic regions central to the stress response, whereas deprivation impacts areas more central to cognitive function. Further studies are needed to identify mechanisms contributing to these differential intergenerational associations of threat versus deprivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karlen Lyons-Ruth
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge Hospital, 1493 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA, USA.
| | - Frances Haofei Li
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge Hospital, 1493 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jennifer E Khoury
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge Hospital, 1493 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Psychology, Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Banu Ahtam
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michaela Sisitsky
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yangming Ou
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michelle Bosquet Enlow
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ellen Grant
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
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Navarro D, Marín-Mayor M, Gasparyan A, García-Gutiérrez MS, Rubio G, Manzanares J. Molecular Changes Associated with Suicide. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16726. [PMID: 38069051 PMCID: PMC10706600 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242316726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Suicide is a serious global public health problem, with a worrying recent increase in suicide rates in both adolescent and adult populations. However, it is essential to recognize that suicide is preventable. A myriad of factors contributes to an individual's vulnerability to suicide. These factors include various potential causes, from psychiatric disorders to genetic and epigenetic alterations. These changes can induce dysfunctions in crucial systems such as the serotonergic, cannabinoid, and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axes. In addition, early life experiences of abuse can profoundly impact an individual's ability to cope with stress, ultimately leading to changes in the inflammatory system, which is a significant risk factor for suicidal behavior. Thus, it is clear that suicidal behavior may result from a confluence of multiple factors. This review examines the primary risk factors associated with suicidal behavior, including psychiatric disorders, early life adversities, and epigenetic modifications. Our goal is to elucidate the molecular changes at the genetic, epigenetic, and molecular levels in the brains of individuals who have taken their own lives and in the plasma and peripheral mononuclear cells of suicide attempters and how these changes may serve as predisposing factors for suicidal tendencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Navarro
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC, Avda de Ramón y Cajal s/n, San Juan de Alicante, 03550 Alicante, Spain; (D.N.); (A.G.); (M.S.G.-G.)
- Redes de Investigación Cooperativa Orientada a Resultados en Salud (RICORS), Red de Investigación en Atención Primaria de Adicciones (RIAPAd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, MICINN and FEDER, 28029 Madrid, Spain;
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante (ISABIAL), 03010 Alicante, Spain
| | - Marta Marín-Mayor
- Instituto de Investigación i+12, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, 28041 Madrid, Spain;
- Department of Psychiatry, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ani Gasparyan
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC, Avda de Ramón y Cajal s/n, San Juan de Alicante, 03550 Alicante, Spain; (D.N.); (A.G.); (M.S.G.-G.)
- Redes de Investigación Cooperativa Orientada a Resultados en Salud (RICORS), Red de Investigación en Atención Primaria de Adicciones (RIAPAd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, MICINN and FEDER, 28029 Madrid, Spain;
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante (ISABIAL), 03010 Alicante, Spain
| | - María Salud García-Gutiérrez
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC, Avda de Ramón y Cajal s/n, San Juan de Alicante, 03550 Alicante, Spain; (D.N.); (A.G.); (M.S.G.-G.)
- Redes de Investigación Cooperativa Orientada a Resultados en Salud (RICORS), Red de Investigación en Atención Primaria de Adicciones (RIAPAd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, MICINN and FEDER, 28029 Madrid, Spain;
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante (ISABIAL), 03010 Alicante, Spain
| | - Gabriel Rubio
- Redes de Investigación Cooperativa Orientada a Resultados en Salud (RICORS), Red de Investigación en Atención Primaria de Adicciones (RIAPAd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, MICINN and FEDER, 28029 Madrid, Spain;
- Instituto de Investigación i+12, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, 28041 Madrid, Spain;
- Department of Psychiatry, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Jorge Manzanares
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC, Avda de Ramón y Cajal s/n, San Juan de Alicante, 03550 Alicante, Spain; (D.N.); (A.G.); (M.S.G.-G.)
- Redes de Investigación Cooperativa Orientada a Resultados en Salud (RICORS), Red de Investigación en Atención Primaria de Adicciones (RIAPAd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, MICINN and FEDER, 28029 Madrid, Spain;
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante (ISABIAL), 03010 Alicante, Spain
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de Kloet ER. Glucocorticoid feedback paradox: a homage to Mary Dallman. Stress 2023; 26:2247090. [PMID: 37589046 DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2023.2247090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
As the end product of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the glucocorticoid hormones cortisol and corticosterone coordinate circadian activities, stress-coping, and adaptation to change. For this purpose, the hormone promotes energy metabolism and controls defense reactions in the body and brain. This life-sustaining action exerted by glucocorticoids occurs in concert with the autonomic nervous and immune systems, transmitters, growth factors/cytokines, and neuropeptides. The current contribution will focus on the glucocorticoid feedback paradox in the HPA-axis: the phenomenon that stress responsivity remains resilient if preceded by stress-induced secretion of glucocorticoid hormone, but not if this hormone is previously administered. Furthermore, in animal studies, the mixed progesterone/glucocorticoid antagonist RU486 or mifepristone switches to an apparent partial agonist upon repeated administration. To address these enigmas several interesting phenomena are highlighted. These include the conditional nature of the excitation/inhibition balance in feedback regulation, the role of glucose as a determinant of stress responsivity, and the potential of glucocorticoids in resetting the stress response system. The analysis of the feedback paradox provides also a golden opportunity to review the progress in understanding the role of glucocorticoid hormone in resilience and vulnerability during stress, the science that was burned deeply in Mary Dallman's emotions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edo Ronald de Kloet
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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39
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Mills-Koonce WR, Grewen K, O'Shea NG, Pearson B, Strange CG, Meltzer-Brody SE, Guintivano JD, Stuebe AM. The Mood, Mother and Child Study: Protocol for a Prospective Longitudinal Study and Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Res Protoc 2023; 12:e51132. [PMID: 37883133 PMCID: PMC10636628 DOI: 10.2196/51132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Perinatal depression affects >400,000 mother-child dyads in the United States every year and is associated with numerous adverse maternal and child developmental outcomes. Previous research implicates the dysregulation of oxytocin and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis functioning in mothers and children as potential mechanisms mediating or moderating the transmission of risk associated with maternal depression. OBJECTIVE The Mood, Mother and Child study will examine the psychobiological sources of risk and resilience within mother-child dyads affected by maternal depression. This manuscript describes (1) the study rationale and aims, (2) the research design and procedures and how they were altered in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and (3) the data analysis plan to test the study hypotheses. METHODS This is a prospective longitudinal study with an embedded randomized controlled trial that examines (1) correlations among postpartum depression and anxiety symptoms, maternal and child oxytocin and HPA axis functioning, and child developmental outcomes and (2) the causal relationship between exogenous oxytocin and HPA reactivity. This study is funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development with institutional review board approval. RESULTS Recruitment and data collection have commenced, and the expected results will be available in 2024. Analyses are presented for testing the proposed hypotheses. CONCLUSIONS The unique combination of a prospective longitudinal research design with an embedded randomized controlled trial will allow the Mood, Mother and Child study to apply a developmental lens to the study of maternal depression and anxiety symptoms from birth to middle childhood and the psychobiological mechanisms promoting risk and resiliency for both mother and child outcomes. This will be the first study that simultaneously evaluates (1) the role of oxytocin using multiple methodologies, (2) the causal relationships between exogenous oxytocin and HPA axis functioning among mothers with differing levels of depression and anxiety symptoms, and (3) the multiple mediating and moderating roles of parenting behaviors and maternal and child psychobiological characteristics. The goals of these aims are to provide insights into the psychobiological effects of oxytocin in women and inform future clinical trials to treat perinatal mood disorders. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03593473; https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03593473. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/51132.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Roger Mills-Koonce
- School of Education, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Karen Grewen
- School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | | | - Brenda Pearson
- School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Chelsea Grace Strange
- School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Samantha E Meltzer-Brody
- School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Jerry Dolph Guintivano
- School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Alison M Stuebe
- School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
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Keymeulen A, Staal IIE, de Kroon MLA, van Achterberg T. Known groups validity of the SPARK36: To guide nurse-led consultations for the early detection of child developmental and parenting problems. J Adv Nurs 2023; 79:3997-4007. [PMID: 37226560 DOI: 10.1111/jan.15711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
AIM Early detection of child developmental and parenting problems is important for timely prevention. The SPARK36 (Structured Problem Analysis of Raising Kids aged 36 months) is a novel broad-scope structured interview guide aimed at assessing parenting concerns and needs for support for child developmental and parenting problems, using the parental and professional's (Youth Health Care nurses) perspective. The applicability of the SPARK36 in practice was already demonstrated. Our aim was to evaluate its known groups validity. DESING/METHODS SPARK36 data were collected in a cross-sectional study in 2020-2021. The known groups validity was assessed by testing two hypotheses: the SPARK36 risk assessment shows a higher risk of parenting and child developmental problems in children (1) from parents with a lower socioeconomic status and (2) from families with ≥4 risk factors for child maltreatment. To test the hypotheses, Fisher's exact tests were applied. RESULTS In total, 29 Youth Health Care nurses from four School Health Services performed SPARK36-led consultations with 599 parent-child pairs to assess the risk for child developmental and parenting problems. Both hypotheses were accepted at a significant p level. CONCLUSION The results of the known groups validity support the hypothesis that the SPARK36 risk assessment for child developmental and parenting problems is carried out in a valid way. Future research is needed to assess other aspects of the validity and reliability of the SPARK36. IMPACT This is a first step in validating the instrument for use during a nurse-led consultation with parents of 3-year-olds in Flemish School Health Services. Thereby, SPARK36 supports the nurses in accomplishing their assignment, making a risk assessment, and contributes to quality of care. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION This study aimed to evaluate the known groups validity of the SPARK36. Therefore, it was not conducted using input from the public or the patient population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann Keymeulen
- Flemish Scientific Society for Youth Health Care, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Academic Centre for Nursing and Midwifery, University of Leuven, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ingrid I E Staal
- Preventive Child Health Care, Municipal Health Service Zeeland, Goes, The Netherlands
- Dutch Knowledge Centre for Youth Health, NCJ, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marlou L A de Kroon
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Environment and Health, Youth Health Care, University of Leuven, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Health Sciences, Environment and Health, Youth Health Care, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Theo van Achterberg
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Academic Centre for Nursing and Midwifery, University of Leuven, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Fischer S, Kleinstäuber M, Fiori LM, Turecki G, Wagner J, von Känel R. DNA Methylation Signatures of Functional Somatic Syndromes: Systematic Review. Psychosom Med 2023; 85:672-681. [PMID: 37531610 DOI: 10.1097/psy.0000000000001237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Functional somatic syndromes (FSS) are highly prevalent across all levels of health care. The fact that they are characterized by medically unexplained symptoms, such as fatigue and pain, raises the important question of their underlying pathophysiology. Psychosocial stress represents a significant factor in the development of FSS and can induce long-term modifications at the epigenetic level. The aim of this review was to systematically review, for the first time, whether individuals with FSS are characterized by specific alterations in DNA methylation. METHODS MEDLINE and PsycINFO were searched from the first available date to September 2022. The inclusion criteria were as follows: a) adults fulfilling the research diagnostic criteria for chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia syndrome, and/or irritable bowel syndrome; b) healthy control group; and c) candidate-gene or genome-wide study of DNA methylation. RESULTS Sixteen studies ( N = 957) were included. In candidate-gene studies, specific sites within NR3C1 were identified, which were hypomethylated in individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome compared with healthy controls. In genome-wide studies in chronic fatigue syndrome, a hypomethylated site located to LY86 and hypermethylated sites within HLA-DQB1 were found. In genome-wide studies in fibromyalgia syndrome, differential methylation in sites related to HDAC4 , TMEM44 , KCNQ1 , SLC17A9 , PRKG1 , ALPK3 , TFAP2A , and LY6G5C was found. CONCLUSIONS Individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia syndrome seem to be characterized by altered DNA methylation of genes regulating cellular signaling and immune functioning. In chronic fatigue syndrome, there is preliminary evidence for these to be implicated in key pathophysiological alterations, such as hypocortisolism and low-grade inflammation, and to contribute to the debilitating symptoms these individuals experience. PREREGISTRATION PROSPERO identifier: CRD42022364720.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Fischer
- From the Institute of Psychology (Fischer), Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Department of Psychology, Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services (Kleinstäuber), Utah State University, Logan, Utah; McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Hospital Research Center (Fiori, Turecki), Montréal, Canada; Department of Psychiatry (Turecki), McGill University, Montréal, Canada; and Department of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine (Wagner, von Känel). University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Carpentieri V, Cugno S, Lockic K, Pascale E, Adriani W. DAT1 5'-Un-Translated-Region Methylation Patterns as Bio-Markers of ADHD Psycho-Pathology: Contribution to Disease Prognosis and to Monitoring of a Successful Therapy. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2546. [PMID: 37760987 PMCID: PMC10526158 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11092546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic modifications, such as changes in DNA methylation, have been linked to several diseases in recent years. The purpose of our study was to search for biomarkers that (using non-invasive techniques) could assist the clinician in the prognosis of infant/adolescent psychopathology. We previously showed that changes in methylation of the 5'-UTR in the DAT1/SLC6A3 gene can be used as a biomarker for the prognosis of initial severe ADHD: treatment-resistant severe ADHD children were characterized by methylated CpG 1 in particular, while methylated CpGs 2 and 6 were then found in children who improved after the therapy. Further, we confirmed these outcomes and provided the hypothesis that symptomatology might be influenced by the children's genotype and family environment. In particular, levels of CpG 3 methylation in the heterozygous ADHD children were associated with high paternal own risk or stress. Eventually, we found that the same biomarkers are more broadly useful in the field of internalizing or externalizing symptoms (when a certain vulnerability is already present in the child). In particular, it was seen how inheriting specific 9-repeat or 10-repeat VNTR alleles from the mother or from the father could modify the pattern of methylation at the 5'-UTR of the DAT1 gene. A specific pattern of methylations (with CpG 2 following either CpGs 1 + 3 or CpG 6 at the DAT1 5'-UTR) has been associated, therefore, with the likelihood of an internalizing or externalizing developmental trajectory entailing ADHD-like psycho-pathological characteristics. Since each individual responds differently to a specific treatment, we suggest that these methylation patterns may be used as biomarkers to monitor the outcome and/or predict the success of a given therapy (personalized medicine).
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Carpentieri
- Center for Behavioral Science and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, I-00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Silvia Cugno
- Faculty of Psychology, International Telematic University Uninettuno, I-00186 Rome, Italy; (S.C.); (K.L.)
| | - Katarina Lockic
- Faculty of Psychology, International Telematic University Uninettuno, I-00186 Rome, Italy; (S.C.); (K.L.)
| | - Esterina Pascale
- Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, I-00162 Rome, Italy;
| | - Walter Adriani
- Center for Behavioral Science and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, I-00161 Rome, Italy;
- Faculty of Psychology, International Telematic University Uninettuno, I-00186 Rome, Italy; (S.C.); (K.L.)
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Siller Wilks SJ, Westneat DF, Heidinger BJ, Solomon J, Rubenstein DR. Epigenetic modification of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis during development in the house sparrow (Passer domesticus). Gen Comp Endocrinol 2023; 341:114336. [PMID: 37328040 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2023.114336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation are important mechanisms for mediating developmental plasticity, where ontogenetic processes and their phenotypic outcomes are shaped by early environments. In particular, changes in DNA methylation of genes within the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis can impact offspring growth and development. This relationship has been well documented in mammals but is less understood in other taxa. Here, we use target-enriched enzymatic methyl sequencing (TEEM-seq) to assess how DNA methylation in a suite of 25 genes changes over development, how these modifications relate to the early environment, and how they predict differential growth trajectories in the house sparrow (Passer domesticus). We found that DNA methylation changes dynamically over the postnatal developmental period: genes with initially low DNA methylation tended to decline in methylation over development, whereas genes with initially high DNA methylation tended to increase in methylation. However, sex-specific differentially methylated regions (DMRs) were maintained across the developmental period. We also found significant differences in post-hatching DNA methylation in relation to hatch date, with higher levels of DNA methylation in nestlings hatched earlier in the season. Although these differences were largely absent by the end of development, a number of DMRs in HPA-related genes (CRH, MC2R, NR3C1, NR3C2, POMC)-and to a lesser degree HPG-related genes (GNRHR2)-predicted nestling growth trajectories over development. These findings provide insight into the mechanisms by which the early environment shapes DNA methylation in the HPA axis, and how these changes subsequently influence growth and potentially mediate developmental plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie J Siller Wilks
- Department of Ecology Evolution and Environmental Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
| | - David F Westneat
- Department of Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Britt J Heidinger
- Biological Sciences Department, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
| | - Joseph Solomon
- Department of Ecology Evolution and Environmental Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Dustin R Rubenstein
- Department of Ecology Evolution and Environmental Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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Nowak AL, Anderson CM, Zhao Y, Ford JL, Mackos AR, Ohm J, Tan A, Saadat N, Misra DP, Giurgescu C. Epigenetic Implications of Neighborhood Disorder and Psychological Distress among Pregnant Black Women. West J Nurs Res 2023; 45:780-788. [PMID: 37382364 PMCID: PMC10528284 DOI: 10.1177/01939459231184713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
Background: In the United States, Black women experience preterm birth (PTB; <37 weeks gestation) at more than 1.5 times the rate of non-Hispanic White women. Social determinants of health including the neighborhood environment have been recognized as contributing to the risk of PTB. Due to historical segregation, Black women are more likely to live in neighborhoods with higher levels of neighborhood disorder compared with White women. Perceived neighborhood disorder appears to be a risk factor for maternal psychological distress in Black women and psychological distress has mediated the association between neighborhood disorder and the risk for PTB. However, the biological pathways underpinning these associations are not clear. Objective: We examined the associations among neighborhood disorder; psychological distress; DNA methylation of six stress-related, glucocorticoid candidate genes (AVP, CRH, CRHBP, FKBP5, HSD11B2, NR3C1); and gestational age at birth among 44 Black pregnant women. Methods: Women who were 18-45 years old and 8-18 weeks gestation had blood drawn and completed questionnaires measuring perceived neighborhood disorder, neighborhood crime, and psychological distress. Results: Three CpG sites were associated with neighborhood disorder (cg03405789 [CRH], cg14939152 and cg15910486 [NR3C1]). One CpG site, cg03098337 (FKBP5) was associated with psychological distress. Three of the identified CpG sites were located within gene CpG islands or shores-areas at which DNA methylation is known to affect gene transcription. Conclusion: These findings warrant further research to clarify intermediate biological pathways and potential biomarkers to identify women at risk for PTB. Identification of PTB risk early in pregnancy would allow for interventions to prevent PTB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra L Nowak
- Assistant Professor, Loyola University Chicago, Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing, CTRE: Room 346, Maywood, IL, USA
| | - Cindy M Anderson
- Professor and Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Educational Innovation, Martha S. Pitzer Center for Women, Children and Youth, The Ohio State University College of Nursing, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Yihong Zhao
- Professor of Data Sciences, Columbia University School of Nursing, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jodi L Ford
- Professor and Assistant Director of the Martha S. Pitzer Center for Women Children and Youth, Director, Stress Science Lab, The Ohio State University College of Nursing, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Amy R Mackos
- Associate Clinical Professor, The Ohio State University College of Nursing, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Joyce Ohm
- Associate Professor of Oncology, Department of Genetics and Genomics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Alai Tan
- Research Professor, Center of Research and Health Analytics, Faculty Affiliate, Translational Data Analytics Institute, The Ohio State University College of Nursing, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Nadia Saadat
- Research Investigator, Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Dawn P Misra
- Professor and Chair, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, MSU College of Human Medicine, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Carmen Giurgescu
- Professor and Associate Dean for Research, Chatlos Foundation Endowed Chair in Nursing, University of Central Florida College of Nursing, Orlando, FL, USA
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Eachus H, Oberski L, Paveley J, Bacila I, Ashton JP, Esposito U, Seifuddin F, Pirooznia M, Elhaik E, Placzek M, Krone NP, Cunliffe VT. Glucocorticoid receptor regulates protein chaperone, circadian clock and affective disorder genes in the zebrafish brain. Dis Model Mech 2023; 16:dmm050141. [PMID: 37525888 PMCID: PMC10565112 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.050141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoid resistance is commonly observed in depression, and has been linked to reduced expression and/or function of the glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1 in human, hereafter referred to as GR). Previous studies have shown that GR-mutant zebrafish exhibit behavioural abnormalities that are indicative of an affective disorder, suggesting that GR plays a role in brain function. We compared the brain methylomes and brain transcriptomes of adult wild-type and GR-mutant zebrafish, and identified 249 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) that are regulated by GR. These include a cluster of CpG sites within the first intron of fkbp5, the gene encoding the glucocorticoid-inducible heat shock protein co-chaperone Fkbp5. RNA-sequencing analysis revealed that genes associated with chaperone-mediated protein folding, the regulation of circadian rhythm and the regulation of metabolism are particularly sensitive to loss of GR function. In addition, we identified subsets of genes exhibiting GR-regulated transcription that are known to regulate behaviour, and are linked to unipolar depression and anxiety. Taken together, our results identify key biological processes and novel molecular mechanisms through which the GR is likely to mediate responses to stress in the adult zebrafish brain, and they provide further support for the zebrafish GR mutant as a model for the study of affective disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Eachus
- School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Firth Court, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Beech Hill Road, Sheffield S10 2RX, UK
| | - Lara Oberski
- School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Firth Court, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Beech Hill Road, Sheffield S10 2RX, UK
| | - Jack Paveley
- School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Firth Court, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Beech Hill Road, Sheffield S10 2RX, UK
| | - Irina Bacila
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Beech Hill Road, Sheffield S10 2RX, UK
| | - John-Paul Ashton
- School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Firth Court, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Umberto Esposito
- School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Firth Court, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Fayaz Seifuddin
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Building 12, 12 South Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Mehdi Pirooznia
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Building 12, 12 South Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Eran Elhaik
- School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Firth Court, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Marysia Placzek
- School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Firth Court, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Nils P. Krone
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Beech Hill Road, Sheffield S10 2RX, UK
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Vincent T. Cunliffe
- School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Firth Court, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
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Jones JD, Martinez S, Gonzalez I, Odom GJ, Comer SD. No evidence of accelerated epigenetic aging among black heroin users: A case vs control analysis. ADDICTION NEUROSCIENCE 2023; 7:100096. [PMID: 37388854 PMCID: PMC10305791 DOI: 10.1016/j.addicn.2023.100096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
This study sought to assess the association between illicit opioid use and accelerated epigenetic aging (A.K.A. DNAm Age) among people of African ancestry who use heroin. DNA was obtained from participants with opioid use disorder (OUD) who confirmed heroin as their primary drug of choice. Clinical inventories of drug use included: the Addiction Severity Index (ASI) Drug-Composite Score (range: 0-1), and Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST-10; range: 0-10). A control group of participants of African ancestry who did not use heroin was recruited and matched to heroin users on sex, age, socioeconomic level, and smoking status. Methylation data were assessed in an epigenetic clock to determined and compare Epigenetic Age to Chronological Age (i.e., age acceleration or deceleration). Data were obtained from 32 controls [mean age 36.3 (±7.5) years] and 64 heroin users [mean age 48.1 (±6.6) years]. The experimental group used heroin for an average of 18.1 (±10.6) years, reported use of 6.4 (±6.1) bags of heroin/day, with a mean DAST-10 score of 7.0 (±2.6) and ASI Score of 0.33 (±0.19). Mean age acceleration for heroin users [+0.56 (± 9.5) years] was significantly (p< 0.05) lower than controls [+5.19 (± 9.1) years]. This study did not find evidence that heroin use causes epigenetic age acceleration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jermaine D. Jones
- Department of Psychiatry, Division on Substance Use Disorders, New York State Psychiatric Institute, and Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Suky Martinez
- Department of Psychiatry, Division on Substance Use Disorders, New York State Psychiatric Institute, and Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Ingrid Gonzalez
- Department of Biostatistics, Robert Stempel College of Public Health, Florida International University, 1200 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33174, USA
| | - Gabriel J. Odom
- Department of Biostatistics, Robert Stempel College of Public Health, Florida International University, 1200 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33174, USA
| | - Sandra D. Comer
- Department of Psychiatry, Division on Substance Use Disorders, New York State Psychiatric Institute, and Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10032, USA
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Zhang ZZ, Moeckel C, Mustafa M, Pham H, Olson AE, Mehta D, Dorn LD, Engeland CG, Shenk CE. The association of epigenetic age acceleration and depressive and anxiety symptom severity among children recently exposed to substantiated maltreatment. J Psychiatr Res 2023; 165:7-13. [PMID: 37441927 PMCID: PMC10529086 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2023.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
Child maltreatment is a major risk factor for both depressive and anxiety disorders. However, many children exposed to maltreatment never meet diagnostic threshold for either disorder while experiencing only transitory symptoms post-exposure. Recent research suggests DNA methylation adds predictive value in explaining variation in the onset and course of multiple psychiatric disorders following exposure to child maltreatment. Epigenetic age acceleration (EAA), the biological aging of cells not attributable to chronological aging, is a stress-sensitive biomarker capturing genome-wide variation in DNA methylation with the potential to identify children who have been maltreated at greatest risk for depressive and anxiety disorders. The current study examined two EAA clocks appropriate for the pediatric population, the Horvath and Pediatric Buccal Epigenetic (PedBE) clocks, and their associations with depressive and anxiety symptom severity following child maltreatment. Children (N = 71) 8-15 years of age, all of whom were exposed to substantiated child maltreatment in the 12 months prior to study entry, were enrolled. Risk modeling adjusting for several confounders revealed that EAA estimated via the Horvath clock was significantly associated with more severe depressive and anxiety symptoms. The PedBE clock was not associated with either depressive or anxiety symptom severity. Sensitivity analyses demonstrated that EAA via the Horvath clock robustly predicted depressive and anxiety symptom severity across multiple modeling scenarios. Our findings advance existing research suggesting EAA, as estimated with the Horvath clock, may be a promising biomarker for identifying children at greatest risk for more severe depressive and anxiety symptoms following maltreatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenyu Z Zhang
- Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
| | - Camille Moeckel
- The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA.
| | - Manal Mustafa
- The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA.
| | - Hung Pham
- The Child Study Center, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Anneke E Olson
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
| | - Divya Mehta
- Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Lorah D Dorn
- Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
| | - Christopher G Engeland
- Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA; Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
| | - Chad E Shenk
- The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA; Department of Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
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Reid BM, Georgieff MK. The Interaction between Psychological Stress and Iron Status on Early-Life Neurodevelopmental Outcomes. Nutrients 2023; 15:3798. [PMID: 37686831 PMCID: PMC10490173 DOI: 10.3390/nu15173798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
This review presents evidence from animal and human studies demonstrating the possible connection and significant impact of poor iron status and psychological distress on neurocognitive development during pregnancy and the neonatal period, with implications for long-term cognition. Stress and iron deficiency are independently prevalent and thus are frequently comorbid. While iron deficiency and early-life stress independently contribute to long-term neurodevelopmental alterations, their combined effects remain underexplored. Psychological stress responses may engage similar pathways as infectious stress, which alters fundamental iron metabolism processes and cause functional tissue-level iron deficiency. Psychological stress, analogous to but to a lesser degree than infectious stress, activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis and increases proinflammatory cytokines. Chronic or severe stress is associated with dysregulated HPA axis functioning and a proinflammatory state. This dysregulation may disrupt iron absorption and utilization, likely mediated by the IL-6 activation of hepcidin, a molecule that impedes iron absorption and redistributes total body iron. This narrative review highlights suggestive studies investigating the relationship between psychological stress and iron status and outlines hypothesized mechanistic pathways connecting psychological stress exposure and iron metabolism. We examine findings regarding the overlapping impacts of early stress exposure to iron deficiency and children's neurocognitive development. We propose that studying the influence of psychological stress on iron metabolism is crucial for comprehending neurocognitive development in children exposed to prenatal and early postnatal stressors and for children at risk of early iron insufficiency. We recommend future directions for dual-exposure studies exploring iron as a potential mediating pathway between early stress and offspring neurodevelopment, offering opportunities for targeted interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brie M. Reid
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
- Center for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, The Miriam Hospital, Providence, RI 02906, USA
| | - Michael K. Georgieff
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA;
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49
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Yuan M, Yang B, Rothschild G, Mann JJ, Sanford LD, Tang X, Huang C, Wang C, Zhang W. Epigenetic regulation in major depression and other stress-related disorders: molecular mechanisms, clinical relevance and therapeutic potential. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:309. [PMID: 37644009 PMCID: PMC10465587 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01519-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a chronic, generally episodic and debilitating disease that affects an estimated 300 million people worldwide, but its pathogenesis is poorly understood. The heritability estimate of MDD is 30-40%, suggesting that genetics alone do not account for most of the risk of major depression. Another factor known to associate with MDD involves environmental stressors such as childhood adversity and recent life stress. Recent studies have emerged to show that the biological impact of environmental factors in MDD and other stress-related disorders is mediated by a variety of epigenetic modifications. These epigenetic modification alterations contribute to abnormal neuroendocrine responses, neuroplasticity impairment, neurotransmission and neuroglia dysfunction, which are involved in the pathophysiology of MDD. Furthermore, epigenetic marks have been associated with the diagnosis and treatment of MDD. The evaluation of epigenetic modifications holds promise for further understanding of the heterogeneous etiology and complex phenotypes of MDD, and may identify new therapeutic targets. Here, we review preclinical and clinical epigenetic findings, including DNA methylation, histone modification, noncoding RNA, RNA modification, and chromatin remodeling factor in MDD. In addition, we elaborate on the contribution of these epigenetic mechanisms to the pathological trait variability in depression and discuss how such mechanisms can be exploited for therapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minlan Yuan
- Mental Health Center and Psychiatric Laboratory, the State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Biao Yang
- Department of Abdominal Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Gerson Rothschild
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - J John Mann
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
- Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology Division, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, 10032, USA
- Department of Radiology, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Larry D Sanford
- Sleep Research Laboratory, Center for Integrative Neuroscience and Inflammatory Diseases, Pathology and Anatomy, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Xiangdong Tang
- Sleep Medicine Center, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Mental Health Center, Translational Neuroscience Center, and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Canhua Huang
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Chuang Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, and Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology in School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315211, China.
| | - Wei Zhang
- Mental Health Center and Psychiatric Laboratory, the State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
- West China Biomedical Big Data Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
- Medical Big Data Center, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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Zhou A, Ryan J. Biological Embedding of Early-Life Adversity and a Scoping Review of the Evidence for Intergenerational Epigenetic Transmission of Stress and Trauma in Humans. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1639. [PMID: 37628690 PMCID: PMC10454883 DOI: 10.3390/genes14081639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe or chronic stress and trauma can have a detrimental impact on health. Evidence suggests that early-life adversity can become biologically embedded and has the potential to influence health outcomes decades later. Epigenetics is one mechanism that has been implicated in these long-lasting effects. Observational studies in humans indicate that the effects of stress could even persist across generations, although whether or not epigenetic mechanisms are involved remains under debate. Here, we provide an overview of studies in animals and humans that demonstrate the effects of early-life stress on DNA methylation, one of the most widely studied epigenetic mechanisms, and summarize findings from animal models demonstrating the involvement of epigenetics in the transmission of stress across generations. We then describe the results of a scoping review to determine the extent to which the terms intergenerational or transgenerational have been used in human studies investigating the transmission of trauma and stress via epigenetic mechanisms. We end with a discussion of key areas for future research to advance understanding of the role of epigenetics in the legacy effects of stress and trauma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aoshuang Zhou
- Division of Epidemiology, Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Joanne Ryan
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
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