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Jensen SK, Pedersen CET, Fischer-Rasmussen K, Melgaard ME, Brustad N, Kyvsgaard JN, Vahman N, Schoos AMM, Stokholm J, Chawes B, Eliasen A, Bønnelykke K. Genetic predisposition to high BMI increases risk of early life respiratory infections and episodes of severe wheeze and asthma. Eur Respir J 2024; 64:2400169. [PMID: 38811044 DOI: 10.1183/13993003.00169-2024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND High body mass index (BMI) is an established risk factor for asthma, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. OBJECTIVE To increase understanding of the BMI-asthma relationship by studying the association between genetic predisposition to higher BMI and asthma, infections and other asthma traits during childhood. METHODS Data were obtained from the two ongoing Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood (COPSAC) mother-child cohorts. Polygenic risk scores for adult BMI were calculated for each child. Replication was done in the large-scale register-based Integrative Psychiatric Research (iPSYCH) cohort using data on hospitalisation for asthma and infections. RESULTS In the COPSAC cohorts (n=974), the adult BMI polygenic risk score was significantly associated with lower respiratory tract infections (incidence rate ratio (IRR) 1.20, 95% CI 1.08-1.33, false discovery rate p-value (pFDR)=0.005) at age 0-3 years and episodes of severe wheeze (IRR 1.30, 95% CI 1.06-1.60, pFDR=0.04) at age 0-6 years. Lower respiratory tract infections partly mediated the association between the adult BMI polygenic risk score and severe wheeze (proportion mediated: 0.59, 95% CI 0.28-2.24, p-value associated with the average causal mediation effect (pACME)=2e-16). In contrast, these associations were not mediated through the child's current BMI and the polygenic risk score was not associated with an asthma diagnosis or reduced lung function up to age 18 years. The associations were replicated in iPSYCH (n=114 283), where the adult BMI polygenic risk score significantly increased the risk of hospitalisations for lower respiratory tract infections and wheeze or asthma throughout childhood to age 18 years. CONCLUSION Children with genetic predisposition to higher BMI had increased risk of lower respiratory tract infections and severe wheeze, independent of the child's current BMI. These results shed further light on the complex relationship between body mass BMI and asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Signe Kjeldgaard Jensen
- Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood (COPSAC), Department of Pediatrics, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Casper-Emil Tingskov Pedersen
- Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood (COPSAC), Department of Pediatrics, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kasper Fischer-Rasmussen
- Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood (COPSAC), Department of Pediatrics, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mathias Elsner Melgaard
- Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood (COPSAC), Department of Pediatrics, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Nicklas Brustad
- Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood (COPSAC), Department of Pediatrics, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Julie Nyholm Kyvsgaard
- Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood (COPSAC), Department of Pediatrics, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Pediatrics, Slagelse Hospital, Slagelse, Denmark
| | - Nilo Vahman
- Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood (COPSAC), Department of Pediatrics, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ann-Marie Malby Schoos
- Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood (COPSAC), Department of Pediatrics, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Pediatrics, Slagelse Hospital, Slagelse, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jakob Stokholm
- Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood (COPSAC), Department of Pediatrics, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Pediatrics, Slagelse Hospital, Slagelse, Denmark
- Section of Microbiology and Fermentation, Department of Food Science, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Bo Chawes
- Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood (COPSAC), Department of Pediatrics, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anders Eliasen
- Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood (COPSAC), Department of Pediatrics, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Endocrinology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Shared senior author
| | - Klaus Bønnelykke
- Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood (COPSAC), Department of Pediatrics, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Shared senior author
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Liu M, Wang W, Chen Y, Guo M, Wei Y, Yang S, Xiang X. Genetically predicted processed meat, red meat intake, and risk of mental disorders: A multivariable Mendelian randomization analysis. J Affect Disord 2024; 354:603-610. [PMID: 38503356 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.03.084] [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: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous observational studies have highlighted potential links between the consumption of processed meat and red meat (such as pork, mutton, and beef intake) and the occurrence of mental disorders. However, it is unclear whether a causal association exists. Therefore, we employed the Mendelian randomization (MR) study to investigate the causal effects of genetically predicted processed meat and red meat on mood disorders (MD), anxiety disorders (AD), and major depressive disorder (MDD). METHODS Genetic instruments for processed and red meat were selected from the Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) of the UK Biobank Study. Their associations with MD (42,746 cases 254,976), AD (35,385 cases and 254,976 controls), and MDD (38,225 cases and 299,886 controls) were obtained from the FinnGen Consortium. The inverse variance weighted (IVW) method was the primary method for two-sample MR analysis. Additionally, we employed complementary analysis to assess the robustness of our MR findings (eg, MR Egger and weighted median). We also conducted multiple sensitivity analyses to investigate horizontal pleiotropy and heterogeneity. Moreover, we performed a univariate and multivariable MR (MVMR) study to evaluate these associations. RESULTS In our univariate MR analysis, we observed that genetically predicted beef intake was associated with a reduced risk of MD [odds ratio (OR) = 0.403, 95 % confidence interval (CI) = 0.246-0.659; PIVW = 4.428 × 10-5], AD (OR = 0.443, 95 % CI = 0.267-0.734; PIVW = 1.563 × 10-3), and MDD (OR = 0.373, 95 % CI = 0.216-0.643; PIVW = 3.878 × 10-4). After adjusting for processed meat, pork, and mutton intake in the MVMR analysis, the protective association of beef intake against MD and MDD remained. However, there was no substantial evidence indicating a significant causal relationship between processed meat, pork, and mutton intake and the occurrence of mental disorders. Furthermore, our sensitivity analysis revealed no significant evidence of horizontal pleiotropy. CONCLUSION These findings support a causal relationship between genetically predicted beef intake and reducing the risk of MD and MDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingkun Liu
- Department of radiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital South Campus, Shanghai 201499, China
| | - Wenwen Wang
- Shanghai Eighth People's Hospital, No.8. Caobao Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai 200235, China
| | - Yi Chen
- Department of PET-CT Imaging Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital South Campus, No. 6600 Nanfeng Highway, Fengxian District, Shanghai 201499, China
| | - Meixiang Guo
- Department of PET-CT Imaging Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital South Campus, No. 6600 Nanfeng Highway, Fengxian District, Shanghai 201499, China
| | - Yuanhao Wei
- School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150076, China
| | - Shaoling Yang
- Shanghai Eighth People's Hospital, No.8. Caobao Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai 200235, China.
| | - Xiqiao Xiang
- Department of PET-CT Imaging Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital South Campus, No. 6600 Nanfeng Highway, Fengxian District, Shanghai 201499, China.
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Orellana SC, Bethlehem RAI, Simpson-Kent IL, van Harmelen AL, Vértes PE, Bullmore ET. Childhood maltreatment influences adult brain structure through its effects on immune, metabolic, and psychosocial factors. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2304704121. [PMID: 38593073 PMCID: PMC11032474 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2304704121] [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: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Childhood maltreatment (CM) leads to a lifelong susceptibility to mental ill-health which might be reflected by its effects on adult brain structure, perhaps indirectly mediated by its effects on adult metabolic, immune, and psychosocial systems. Indexing these systemic factors via body mass index (BMI), C-reactive protein (CRP), and rates of adult trauma (AT), respectively, we tested three hypotheses: (H1) CM has direct or indirect effects on adult trauma, BMI, and CRP; (H2) adult trauma, BMI, and CRP are all independently related to adult brain structure; and (H3) childhood maltreatment has indirect effects on adult brain structure mediated in parallel by BMI, CRP, and AT. Using path analysis and data from N = 116,887 participants in UK Biobank, we find that CM is related to greater BMI and AT levels, and that these two variables mediate CM's effects on CRP [H1]. Regression analyses on the UKB MRI subsample (N = 21,738) revealed that greater CRP and BMI were both independently related to a spatially convergent pattern of cortical effects (Spearman's ρ = 0.87) characterized by fronto-occipital increases and temporo-parietal reductions in thickness. Subcortically, BMI was associated with greater volume, AT with lower volume and CPR with effects in both directions [H2]. Finally, path models indicated that CM has indirect effects in a subset of brain regions mediated through its direct effects on BMI and AT and indirect effects on CRP [H3]. Results provide evidence that childhood maltreatment can influence brain structure decades after exposure by increasing individual risk toward adult trauma, obesity, and inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia C. Orellana
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, CambridgeCB2 0SZ, United Kingdom
| | - Richard A. I. Bethlehem
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, CambridgeCB2 0SZ, United Kingdom
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, CambridgeCB2 3EB, United Kingdom
| | - Ivan L. Simpson-Kent
- Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden2333AK, The Netherlands
- Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge, CambridgeCB2 7EF, United Kingdom
- Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104-6241
| | - Anne-Laura van Harmelen
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, CambridgeCB2 0SZ, United Kingdom
- Institute of Education and Child Studies, Leiden University, Leiden2333AK, The Netherlands
| | - Petra E. Vértes
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, CambridgeCB2 0SZ, United Kingdom
| | - Edward T. Bullmore
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, CambridgeCB2 0SZ, United Kingdom
- Cambridgeshire & Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, CambridgeCB21 5EF, United Kingdom
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Packer A, Corbett A, Arathimos R, Ballard C, Aarsland D, Hampshire A, Dima D, Creese B, Malanchini M, Powell TR. Limited evidence of a shared genetic relationship between C-reactive protein levels and cognitive function in older UK adults of European ancestry. FRONTIERS IN DEMENTIA 2023; 2:1093223. [PMID: 39081969 PMCID: PMC11285585 DOI: 10.3389/frdem.2023.1093223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
Introduction Previous studies have shown associations between cognitive function and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in older adults. Few studies have considered the extent to which a genetic predisposition for higher CRP levels contributes to this association. Methods Data was analyzed from 7,817 UK participants aged >50 years as part of the PROTECT study, within which adults without dementia completed a comprehensive neuropsychological battery. We constructed a polygenic risk score (PRS-CRP) that explained 9.61% of the variance in serum CRP levels (p = 2.362 × 10-7) in an independent cohort. Regressions were used to explore the relationship between PRS-CRP and cognitive outcomes. Results We found no significant associations between PRS-CRP and any cognitive measures in the sample overall. In older participants (>62 years), we observed a significant positive association between PRS-CRP and self-ordered search score (i.e., spatial working memory). Conclusion Whilst our results indicate a weak positive relationship between PRS-CRP and spatial working memory that is specific to older adults, overall, there appears to be no strong effects of PRS-CRP on cognitive function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Packer
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anne Corbett
- College of Medicine & Health, St Luke's, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Ryan Arathimos
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Clive Ballard
- College of Medicine & Health, St Luke's, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Dag Aarsland
- Department of Old Age Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Adam Hampshire
- Department of Brain Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Danai Dima
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Psychology, School of Health and Psychological Sciences, City, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Byron Creese
- Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Margherita Malanchini
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Biological and Experimental Psychology, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Timothy R. Powell
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
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Plasma complement C3 and C3a are increased in major depressive disorder independent of childhood trauma. BMC Psychiatry 2022; 22:741. [PMID: 36447174 PMCID: PMC9706857 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-022-04410-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dysregulated complement system is linked to pathophysiology of major depressive disorder (MDD). Childhood trauma has been associated with an increased incidence of adult depression via a putative mechanism of immune activation. This study aimed to measure and compare peripheral levels of complement C3, C3a, C1q and C-reactive protein (CRP) in MDD patients and healthy controls and explore the relationship between these molecule levels and childhood trauma history in the participants. METHODS The participants were 49 medication-free MDD patients and 45 healthy controls. All participants were asked to finish the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, followed by blood sampling for measurement of plasma complement C3, C3a, C1q and CRP by means of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS Peripheral plasma concentration of C3 and C3a in medication-free MDD group was significantly higher than that in the healthy controls; whereas the concentration of plasma C1q and CRP in depressed patients was comparable to that in healthy controls. All these inflammatory factors were not associated to childhood trauma experience in patients with MDD. CONCLUSION Our data suggest that complement C3 and C3a may be implicated in the pathophysiology of MDD, although traumatic childhood experiences were not associated with the circulating levels of complement C3, C3a, C1q and CRP.
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Choudhary P, Ronkainen J, Nedelec R, Tolvanen M, Lowry E, Miettunen J, Jarvelin MR, Sebert S. The relationship of life-course patterns of adiposity with type 2 diabetes, depression, and their comorbidity in the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966. Int J Obes (Lond) 2022; 46:1470-1477. [PMID: 35562396 PMCID: PMC9105590 DOI: 10.1038/s41366-022-01134-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Type 2 diabetes (T2D) and comorbid depression challenges clinical management particularly in individuals with overweight. We aim to explore the shared etiology, via lifecourse adiposity, between T2D and depression. METHODS We used data from birth until 46years from Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 (n = 6,372; 53.8% females). We conducted multivariate analyses on three outcomes: T2D (4.2%), depression (19.2%) and as comorbidity (1.8%). We conducted (i) Path analysis to clarify time-dependent body mass index (BMI) related pathways, including BMI polygenic risk scores (PRS); and (ii) Cox regression models to assess whether reduction of overweight between 7years and 31years influence T2D, depression and/or comorbidity. The models were tested for covariation with sex, education, smoking, physical activity, and diet score. RESULTS The odd ratios (OR) of T2D in individuals with depression was 1.68 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.34-2.11], and no change in estimate was observed when adjusted for covariates. T2D and comorbidity showed similar patterns of relationships in the path analyses (P < 0.001). The genetic risk for obesity (PRS BMI) did not show direct effect on T2D or comorbidity in adulthood but indirectly through measures of adiposity in early childhood and mid-adulthood in the path analysis (P < 0.001). Having early-onset of overweight at 7years and 31years showed highest risk of T2D (OR 3.8, 95%CI 2.4-6.1) and comorbidity (OR 5.0, 95%CI 2.7-9.5), with mild-to-moderate attenuation with adjustments. Depression showed no significant associations. CONCLUSIONS We found evidence for overweight since childhood as a risk factor for T2D and co-morbidity between T2D and depression, influenced moderately by lifestyle factors in later life. However, no shared early life adiposity related risk factors were observed between T2D and depression when assessed independently in this Finnish setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Choudhary
- Center for Life Course Health Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.
| | - Justiina Ronkainen
- Center for Life Course Health Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Rozenn Nedelec
- Center for Life Course Health Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Mimmi Tolvanen
- Center for Life Course Health Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | | | - Jouko Miettunen
- Center for Life Course Health Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.,Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu University Hospital and University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Marjo-Riitta Jarvelin
- Center for Life Course Health Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK.,MRC-PHE Centre for Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Imperial College, London, UK.,Department of Life Sciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Kingston Lane, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UK
| | - Sylvain Sebert
- Center for Life Course Health Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.
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Proteome-wide Mendelian randomization identifies causal links between blood proteins and severe COVID-19. PLoS Genet 2022; 18:e1010042. [PMID: 35239653 PMCID: PMC8893330 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In November 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic death toll surpassed five million individuals. We applied Mendelian randomization including >3,000 blood proteins as exposures to identify potential biomarkers that may indicate risk for hospitalization or need for respiratory support or death due to COVID-19, respectively. After multiple testing correction, using genetic instruments and under the assumptions of Mendelian Randomization, our results were consistent with higher blood levels of five proteins GCNT4, CD207, RAB14, C1GALT1C1, and ABO being causally associated with an increased risk of hospitalization or respiratory support/death due to COVID-19 (ORs = 1.12-1.35). Higher levels of FAAH2 were solely associated with an increased risk of hospitalization (OR = 1.19). On the contrary, higher levels of SELL, SELE, and PECAM-1 decrease risk of hospitalization or need for respiratory support/death (ORs = 0.80-0.91). Higher levels of LCTL, SFTPD, KEL, and ATP2A3 were solely associated with a decreased risk of hospitalization (ORs = 0.86-0.93), whilst higher levels of ICAM-1 were solely associated with a decreased risk of respiratory support/death of COVID-19 (OR = 0.84). Our findings implicate blood group markers and binding proteins in both hospitalization and need for respiratory support/death. They, additionally, suggest that higher levels of endocannabinoid enzymes may increase the risk of hospitalization. Our research replicates findings of blood markers previously associated with COVID-19 and prioritises additional blood markers for risk prediction of severe forms of COVID-19. Furthermore, we pinpoint druggable targets potentially implicated in disease pathology.
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Palmos AB, Hübel C, Lim KX, Hunjan AK, Coleman JR, Breen G. Assessing the Evidence for Causal Associations Between Body Mass Index, C-Reactive Protein, Depression, and Reported Trauma Using Mendelian Randomization. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY GLOBAL OPEN SCIENCE 2022; 3:110-118. [PMID: 36712567 PMCID: PMC9874165 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsgos.2022.01.003] [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: 10/04/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Traumatic experiences are described as the strongest predictors of major depressive disorder (MDD), with inflammation potentially mediating the association between trauma and symptom onset. However, several studies indicate that body mass index (BMI) exerts a large confounding effect on both inflammation and MDD. Methods First, we sought to replicate previously reported associations between these traits in a large subset of the UK Biobank, using regression models with C-reactive protein (CRP) and MDD and as the outcome variables in 113,481 and 30,137 individuals, respectively. Second, we ran bidirectional Mendelian randomization analyses between these traits to establish a potential causal framework between BMI, MDD, reported childhood trauma, and inflammation. Results Our phenotypic analyses revealed no association between CRP and MDD but did suggest a strong effect of BMI and reported trauma on both CRP (BMI: β = 0.43, 95% CI = 0.43-0.43, p ≤ .001; childhood trauma: β = 0.02, 95% CI = 0.00-0.03, p = .006) and MDD (BMI: odds ratio [OR] = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.14-1.19, p ≤ .001; childhood trauma: OR = 1.99, 95% CI = 1.88-2.11, p ≤ .001). Our Mendelian randomization analyses confirmed a lack of causal relationship between CRP and MDD but showed evidence consistent with a strong causal influence of higher BMI on increased CRP (β = 0.37, 95% CI = 0.36-0.39, p ≤ .001) and a bidirectional influence between reported trauma and MDD (OR trauma-MDD = 1.75, 95% CI = 1.49-2.07, p ≤ .001; OR MDD-trauma = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.18-1.27, p ≤ .001). Conclusions Our findings highlight the importance of controlling for both BMI and trauma when studying MDD in the context of inflammation. They also suggest that the experience of traumatic events can increase the risk for MDD and that MDD can increase the experience of traumatic events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alish B. Palmos
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom,UK National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre for Mental Health, South London and Maudsley Hospital, London, United Kingdom,Address correspondence to Alish B. Palmos, Ph.D.
| | - Christopher Hübel
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom,UK National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre for Mental Health, South London and Maudsley Hospital, London, United Kingdom,National Centre for Register-based Research, Department of Economics and Business Economics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Kai Xiang Lim
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Avina K. Hunjan
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom,UK National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre for Mental Health, South London and Maudsley Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan R.I. Coleman
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Gerome Breen
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom,UK National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre for Mental Health, South London and Maudsley Hospital, London, United Kingdom
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Relationship between CRP and depression: A genetically sensitive study in Sri Lanka. J Affect Disord 2022; 297:112-117. [PMID: 34653513 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies have shown associations between major depression and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. Few studies have considered the extent to which shared genetic and environmental factors contribute to this association, nor have they considered the relationship outside of European populations. We examined the association between CRP levels and depression and their aetiology in a Sri Lankan population. METHODS Data were collected from 2577 twins and 899 singletons in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Depression symptoms were assessed using the revised Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II). High-sensitive CRP blood levels were assessed using immunoturbidimetry. Linear regressions were performed to test the association between CRP and depression. The heritability of CRP levels was estimated using Structural Equation Modelling. RESULTS CRP was significantly associated with BMI (p < 0.01) but not depression (p > 0.05). In males, variance in CRP levels was explained by shared environment (51% 95%CIs: 13-62) and non-shared environment (45% 95%CIs: 36-54). In contrast, in females, CRP variance was explained by genetic (41% 95%CIs: 10-52) and non-shared environment (56% 95%CIs: 47-67). A genetic correlation between CRP and BMI was observed in females only. LIMITATIONS CRP level was based on a single data collection point, longer term data collection would give a more accurate picture of an individual's state of inflammation. CONCLUSIONS The lack of association between depression and CRP strengthens the hypothesis that inflammation might contribute to the development of some, but not all types of depression. CRP levels were moderated by the environment, suggesting interventions aimed at reducing CRP levels and risk for inflammatory conditions, particularly in males.
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Jellinger KA. Pathomechanisms of Vascular Depression in Older Adults. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 23:ijms23010308. [PMID: 35008732 PMCID: PMC8745290 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23010308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Depression in older individuals is a common complex mood disorder with high comorbidity of both psychiatric and physical diseases, associated with high disability, cognitive decline, and increased mortality The factors predicting the risk of late-life depression (LLD) are incompletely understood. The reciprocal relationship of depressive disorder and age- and disease-related processes has generated pathogenic hypotheses and provided various treatment options. The heterogeneity of depression complicates research into the underlying pathogenic cascade, and factors involved in LLD considerably differ from those involved in early life depression. Evidence suggests that a variety of vascular mechanisms, in particular cerebral small vessel disease, generalized microvascular, and endothelial dysfunction, as well as metabolic risk factors, including diabetes, and inflammation that may induce subcortical white and gray matter lesions by compromising fronto-limbic and other important neuronal networks, may contribute to the development of LLD. The "vascular depression" hypothesis postulates that cerebrovascular disease or vascular risk factors can predispose, precipitate, and perpetuate geriatric depression syndromes, based on their comorbidity with cerebrovascular lesions and the frequent development of depression after stroke. Vascular burden is associated with cognitive deficits and a specific form of LLD, vascular depression, which is marked by decreased white matter integrity, executive dysfunction, functional disability, and poorer response to antidepressive therapy than major depressive disorder without vascular risk factors. Other pathogenic factors of LLD, such as neurodegeneration or neuroimmune regulatory dysmechanisms, are briefly discussed. Treatment planning should consider a modest response of LLD to antidepressants, while vascular and metabolic factors may provide promising targets for its successful prevention and treatment. However, their effectiveness needs further investigation, and intervention studies are needed to assess which interventions are appropriate and effective in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kurt A Jellinger
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, Alberichgasse 5/13, 1150 Vienna, Austria
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Powell TR, Hotopf M, Hatch SL, Breen G, Duarte RRR, Nixon DF. Genetic risk for severe COVID-19 correlates with lower inflammatory marker levels in a SARS-CoV-2-negative cohort. Clin Transl Immunology 2021; 10:e1292. [PMID: 34141432 PMCID: PMC8180242 DOI: 10.1002/cti2.1292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives It remains unknown how inflammatory marker levels differ amongst individuals susceptible to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), prior to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and the onset of the cytokine storm. We used genetic risk scores to model how susceptibility to severe COVID-19 correlates with baseline levels of 35 inflammatory markers, by testing their impact in a SARS-CoV-2-negative population cohort. Because of the established effects of age and body mass index on severe COVID-19 risk, we further considered how these variables interacted with genetic risk to affect inflammatory marker levels. Methods We accessed data on 406 SARS-CoV-2-negative individuals as part of a UK population study. Multiplex electrochemiluminescence methods were applied to blood serum, and 35 inflammatory markers were assayed. Corresponding genotype data, alongside results from a large genome-wide association study of severe COVID-19, allowed us to construct genetic risk scores and to test their impact on inflammatory protein levels. Results Our results revealed that a higher genetic risk for severe COVID-19 was associated with lower blood levels of interferon gamma (IFN-γ), vascular endothelial growth factor D (VEGF-D) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). Inflammatory profiles of those with high genetic risk increasingly diverge from the norm in association with age and obesity. Conclusion Our results support the theory that individuals at risk of severe COVID-19 have a deficient innate immunity marked by reduced levels of inflammatory markers at baseline, including IFN-γ, VEGF-D and TNF-α. We hypothesise that a secondary overactive adaptive immune response may subsequently explain the high levels of cytokines observed in SARS-CoV-2-positive COVID-19 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy R Powell
- Division of Infectious Diseases Department of Medicine Weill Cornell Medicine New York NY USA.,Social, Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry Centre Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience King's College London London UK
| | - Matthew Hotopf
- Department of Psychological Medicine Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience King's College London London UK.,South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust London UK
| | - Stephani L Hatch
- Department of Psychological Medicine Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience King's College London London UK
| | - Gerome Breen
- Social, Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry Centre Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience King's College London London UK
| | - Rodrigo R R Duarte
- Division of Infectious Diseases Department of Medicine Weill Cornell Medicine New York NY USA.,Social, Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry Centre Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience King's College London London UK
| | - Douglas F Nixon
- Division of Infectious Diseases Department of Medicine Weill Cornell Medicine New York NY USA
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