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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] [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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He W, Yang H, Li Y, Cui Y, Wei L, Xu T, Li Y, Zhang M. Identifying the toxic mechanisms of emerging electronic contaminations liquid crystal monomers and the construction of a priority control list for graded control. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 951:175398. [PMID: 39128516 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2024] [Revised: 08/05/2024] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 08/13/2024]
Abstract
Liquid crystal monomers (LCMs) are identified as emerging organic contaminations with largely unexplored health impacts. To elucidate their toxic mechanisms, support the establishment of environmental discharge and management standards, and promote effective LCMs control, this study constructs a database covering 20,545 potential targets of 1431 LCMs, highlighting 9 key toxic target proteins that disrupt the nervous system and metabolic functions. GO and KEGG pathway analysis suggests LCMs severely affect nervous system, linked to neurodegenerative diseases and mental health disorders, with toxicity variations driven by electronegativity and structural complexity of LCM terminal groups. To achieve tiered control of LCMs, construct toxicity risk control lists for 9 key toxic target proteins, suitable for the graded control of LCMs, management recommendations are provided based on toxicity levels. These lists were validated for reliability and offer reliable toxicity predictions for LCMs. SHAP analysis points to electronic properties, molecular shape, and structural characteristics of LCMs as primary health impact factors. As the first study integrating machine learning with computational toxicology to outline LCMs health impacts, it aims to enhance public understanding of LCM toxicity risks and support the development of environmental standards, effective management of LCM production and emissions, and reduction of public exposure risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei He
- MOE Key Laboratory of Resources Environmental Systems Optimization, North China Electric Power University, Beijing, China
| | - Hao Yang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Resources Environmental Systems Optimization, North China Electric Power University, Beijing, China
| | - Yunxiang Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Resources Environmental Systems Optimization, North China Electric Power University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuhan Cui
- MOE Key Laboratory of Resources Environmental Systems Optimization, North China Electric Power University, Beijing, China
| | - Luanxiao Wei
- MOE Key Laboratory of Resources Environmental Systems Optimization, North China Electric Power University, Beijing, China
| | - Tingzhi Xu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Resources Environmental Systems Optimization, North China Electric Power University, Beijing, China.
| | - Yu Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Resources Environmental Systems Optimization, North China Electric Power University, Beijing, China
| | - Meng Zhang
- College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of All Material Fluxes in River Ecosystems, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; The Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences, Ministry of Education, International Joint Laboratory for Regional Pollution Control, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100871, China.
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3
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Remmers MCC, Reijs RP, Hoebe CJPA. Defining and distinguishing early life stress, trauma, adversity, toxic and chronic stress and allostatic load: a descriptive review. Scand J Public Health 2024:14034948241260105. [PMID: 39087715 DOI: 10.1177/14034948241260105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
AIMS Various concepts are used to study the impact of stress on childhood development. These concepts are often used inconsistently or interchangeably. Our main objectives were to determine how selected stress concepts (chronic stress, toxic stress, allostatic load, early life stress, childhood adversity, childhood trauma and adverse childhood experiences; ACEs) are defined, operationalized and described, and to provide a theoretical context to aid the choice for a preferred concept in public health research. METHODS For this descriptive review, we systematically searched for literature published before 4 August 2021, on PubMed, Embase and PsycInfo. Two independent reviewers included studies. Exclusion criteria were: no systematic review, not peer reviewed, not published in English, selected stress concepts were no predetermined variable or a substantial topic in the discussion, full text was unobtainable or study described non-human or non-childhood populations. Data extraction forms were used. Descriptives were gathered, publication fields were identified through Journal Citation Reports categories, and verbatim descriptions were ordered in text and Venn diagrams. RESULTS Of 264 screened studies, 124 were included. ACEs, childhood adversity and childhood trauma were used most. ACEs were the main concept used most frequently (47.6%). A total of 11 of 14 public and environmental health journals used ACEs. All concepts refer to prolonged, repeated, interpersonal stress from 0 to 18 years, that can alter physiological systems. Four concepts were stressor oriented, two concepts focused on stress response and effect and one on the state of challenged homeostasis. CONCLUSIONS ACEs seem most fitting for public health setting, due to their operationalizability, large set of core experiences and widespread use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maarten C C Remmers
- Department of Social Medicine, Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Department of Youth Health Care, Public Health Service Limburg-North, Venlo, Netherlands
| | - Rianne P Reijs
- Department of Social Medicine, Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Department of Youth Health Care, Living Lab Public Health Mosa, Public Health Service South Limburg, Heerlen, Netherlands
| | - Christian J P A Hoebe
- Department of Social Medicine, Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Department of Sexual Health, Infectious Diseases and Environmental Health, Living Lab Public Health Mosa, Public Health Service South Limburg, Heerlen, Netherlands
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Infection Prevention, Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, Netherlands
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Nazzari S, Pili MP, Günay Y, Provenzi L. Pandemic babies: A systematic review of the association between maternal pandemic-related stress during pregnancy and infant development. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 162:105723. [PMID: 38762129 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105723] [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: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic, with its far-reaching influence on daily life, constituted a highly stressful experience for many people worldwide, jeopardizing individuals' mental health, particularly in vulnerable populations such as pregnant women. While a growing body of evidence links prenatal maternal stress to biological and developmental alterations in offspring, the specific impact of prenatal exposure to maternal pandemic-related stress (PRS) on infant development remains unclear. A comprehensive literature search was performed in October 2023 according to the PRISMA guidelines, which yielded a total of 28 records. The selected papers investigated a vast range of developmental and biological outcomes in the offspring with large methodological variations. The reviewed studies showed mixed results. Either direct associations between maternal PRS during pregnancy and infant temperament and socio-emotional development, or indirect links, mediated by maternal mental health, emerged in most studies. Furthermore, maternal PRS was associated with epigenetic and brain alterations in the offspring, although studies were limited in number. Collectively, the reviewed findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the role of early adverse exposures on infant development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Nazzari
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
| | - Miriam Paola Pili
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Yaren Günay
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Livio Provenzi
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy; Developmental Psychobiology Lab, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
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Araki R, Kita A, Ago Y, Yabe T. Chronic social defeat stress induces anxiety-like behaviors via downregulation of serotonin transporter in the prefrontal serotonergic system in mice. Neurochem Int 2024; 174:105682. [PMID: 38301899 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2024.105682] [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: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
The serotonergic (5-HTergic) system is closely involved in the pathophysiology of mood and anxiety disorders and the responsibility of this system may differ for each symptom. In this study, we examined the relationship between the dysfunction of the 5-HTergic system and abnormal behaviors in the social defeat stress model, an animal model of mood and anxiety disorders and in mice with knockdown of Slc6a4, the gene encoding SERT. Monoamine content, serotonin (5-HT) release, 5-HT uptake, 5-HT transporter (SERT) protein levels, and behaviors were investigated in mice subjected to chronic social defeat stress and in mice with knockdown of Slc6a4, in 5-HTergic neurons projecting to the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Furthermore, DNA methylation of Slc6a4 was examined in mice subjected to chronic social defeat stress. Increased turnover, increased extracellular basal levels, decreased release and decreased uptake of 5-HT, and decreased SERT protein levels were observed in the PFC of the stressed mice. The decreased 5-HT uptake correlated with anxiety-like behavior characterized by decreased time spent in the open arms of the elevated plus maze. DNA methylation was increased in the CpG island of Slc6a4 in 5-HTergic neurons projecting to the PFC of the stressed mice. Similar to the stressed mice, mice with Slc6a4 knockdown in 5-HTergic neurons projecting to the PFC also showed decreased release and uptake of 5-HT in the PFC and increased anxiety-like behavior. Chronic stress may induce anxiety due to dysfunction in the prefrontal 5-HTergic system via decreased SERT expression in the PFC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryota Araki
- Laboratory of Functional Biomolecules and Chemical Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Setsunan University, Osaka, Japan.
| | - Ayami Kita
- Laboratory of Functional Biomolecules and Chemical Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Setsunan University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yukio Ago
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Takeshi Yabe
- Laboratory of Functional Biomolecules and Chemical Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Setsunan University, Osaka, Japan.
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Malin KJ, Kruschel K, Gondwe K, Lagatta J, Carter CS, Nazarloo HP, Conley Y, White-Traut R. Feasibility of Stress Research in Premature Infant-Maternal Dyads During and After Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Hospitalization. Adv Neonatal Care 2023; 23:583-595. [PMID: 37948632 PMCID: PMC10786239 DOI: 10.1097/anc.0000000000001112] [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: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stress from preterm infant admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is associated with infant and maternal physiologic changes, including endocrine and epigenetic alterations. Little is known about the mechanisms connecting NICU stress to biologic changes, and whether preterm infant and maternal stress are reciprocal. As a preliminary step, feasibility and acceptability of measuring indicators of stress are required. PURPOSE This study evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of research examining perceptions and biologic markers of stress in premature infant-maternal dyads during and after NICU hospitalization. METHODS We evaluated study feasibility using a longitudinal descriptive design. Acceptability was measured via a maternal questionnaire. Exploratory data regarding hospitalization, perceptions of stress, social support and social determinants of health, and biologic markers of stress were collected during the first week of life and again 3 months after NICU. RESULTS Forty-eight mothers were eligible for the study, 36 mothers were approached, 20 mothers consented to participate, and 14 mothers completed data collection. Mothers reported high levels of study acceptability despite also voicing concern about the sharing of genetic data. Exploration of DNA methylation of SLC6A4 in preterm infants was significant for a strong correlation with perception of total chronic stress. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE AND RESEARCH Clinical practice at the bedside in the NICU should include standardized screening for and early interventions to minimize stress. Complex research of stress is feasible and acceptable. Future research should focus on linking early life stress with epigenetic alterations and evaluation of the dyad for reciprocity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn J Malin
- Marquette University, College of Nursing, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Dr Malin); Children's Wisconsin, Milwaukee (Drs Malin and White-Traut); Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee (Ms Kruschel and Dr Lagatta); University of Washington, The Department of Child, Family, and Population Health Nursing, Seattle, Washington (Dr Gondwe); The Kinsey Institute at Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana (Drs Carter and Nazarloo); and University of Pittsburgh, School of Nursing, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Dr Conley)
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Vidovič E, Pelikan S, Atanasova M, Kouter K, Pileckyte I, Oblak A, Novak Šarotar B, Videtič Paska A, Bon J. DNA Methylation Patterns in Relation to Acute Severity and Duration of Anxiety and Depression. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2023; 45:7286-7303. [PMID: 37754245 PMCID: PMC10527760 DOI: 10.3390/cimb45090461] [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: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Depression and anxiety are common mental disorders that often occur together. Stress is an important risk factor for both disorders, affecting pathophysiological processes through epigenetic changes that mediate gene-environment interactions. In this study, we explored two proposed models about the dynamic nature of DNA methylation in anxiety and depression: a stable change, in which DNA methylation accumulates over time as a function of the duration of clinical symptoms of anxiety and depression, or a flexible change, in which DNA methylation correlates with the acute severity of clinical symptoms. Symptom severity was assessed using clinical questionnaires for anxiety and depression (BDI-II, IDS-C, and HAM-A), and the current episode and the total lifetime symptom duration was obtained from patients' medical records. Peripheral blood DNA methylation levels were determined for the BDNF, COMT, and SLC6A4 genes. We found a significant negative correlation between COMT_1 amplicon methylation and acute symptom scores, with BDI-II (R(22) = 0.190, p = 0.033), IDS-C (R(22) = 0.199, p = 0.029), and HAM-A (R(22) = 0.231, p = 0.018) all showing a similar degree of correlation. Our results suggest that DNA methylation follows flexible dynamics, with methylation levels closely associated with acute clinical presentation rather than with the duration of anxiety and depression. These results provide important insights into the dynamic nature of DNA methylation in anxiety and affective disorders and contribute to our understanding of the complex interplay between stress, epigenetics, and individual phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Vidovič
- University Psychiatric Clinic Ljubljana, 1260 Ljubljana, Slovenia (J.B.)
| | - Sebastian Pelikan
- University Psychiatric Clinic Ljubljana, 1260 Ljubljana, Slovenia (J.B.)
| | - Marija Atanasova
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Katarina Kouter
- Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Indre Pileckyte
- Center for Brain and Cognition, Pompeu Fabra University, 08018 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Aleš Oblak
- University Psychiatric Clinic Ljubljana, 1260 Ljubljana, Slovenia (J.B.)
| | - Brigita Novak Šarotar
- University Psychiatric Clinic Ljubljana, 1260 Ljubljana, Slovenia (J.B.)
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Alja Videtič Paska
- Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Jurij Bon
- University Psychiatric Clinic Ljubljana, 1260 Ljubljana, Slovenia (J.B.)
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Nazzari S, Cagliero L, Grumi S, Pisoni E, Mallucci G, Bergamaschi R, Maccarini J, Giorda R, Provenzi L. Prenatal exposure to environmental air pollution and psychosocial stress jointly contribute to the epigenetic regulation of the serotonin transporter gene in newborns. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:3503-3511. [PMID: 37542161 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02206-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 07/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023]
Abstract
Antenatal exposures to maternal stress and to particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 2.5 μm (PM2.5) have been independently associated with developmental outcomes in early infancy and beyond. Knowledge about their joint impact, biological mechanisms of their effects and timing-effects, is still limited. Both PM2.5 and maternal stress exposure during pregnancy might result in altered patterns of DNA methylation in specific stress-related genes, such as the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4 DNAm), that might, in turn, influence infant development across several domains, including bio-behavioral, cognitive and socio-emotional domains. Here, we investigated the independent and interactive influence of variations in antenatal exposures to maternal pandemic-related stress (PRS) and PM2.5 on SLC6A4 DNAm levels in newborns. Mother-infant dyads (N = 307) were enrolled at delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic. Infants' methylation status was assessed in 13 CpG sites within the SLC6A4 gene's region (chr17:28562750-28562958) in buccal cells at birth and women retrospectively report on PRS. PM2.5 exposure throughout the entire gestation and at each gestational trimester was estimated using a spatiotemporal model based on residential address. Among several potentially confounding socio-demographic and health-related factors, infant's sex was significantly associated with infants' SLC6A4 DNAm levels, thus hierarchical regression models were adjusted for infant's sex. Higher levels of SLC6A4 DNAm at 6 CpG sites were found in newborns born to mothers reporting higher levels of antenatal PRS and greater PM2.5 exposure across gestation, while adjusting for infant's sex. These effects were especially evident when exposure to elevated PM2.5 occurred during the second trimester of pregnancy. Several important brain processes (e.g., synaptogenesis and myelination) occur during mid-pregnancy, potentially making the second trimester a sensitive time window for the effects of stress-related exposures. Understanding the interplay between environmental and individual-level stressors has important implications for the improvement of mother-infant health during and after the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Nazzari
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Lucia Cagliero
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Developmental Psychobiology Lab, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Serena Grumi
- Developmental Psychobiology Lab, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Enrico Pisoni
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Ispra, Italy
| | - Giulia Mallucci
- Multiple Sclerosis Center, Neurocenter of South of Switzerland, EOC, Lugano, Switzerland
| | | | - Julia Maccarini
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Developmental Psychobiology Lab, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Roberto Giorda
- Molecular Biology Lab, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Livio Provenzi
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
- Developmental Psychobiology Lab, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy.
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Koopmans Y, Nelemans SA, Bosmans G, Van Den Noortgate W, Van Leeuwen K, Goossens L. Perceived Parental Support and Psychological Control, DNA Methylation, and Loneliness: Longitudinal Associations Across Early Adolescence. J Youth Adolesc 2023:10.1007/s10964-023-01822-6. [PMID: 37470939 DOI: 10.1007/s10964-023-01822-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
A broad range of factors have been associated with the development of adolescent loneliness. In the family context, a lack of parental support and high levels of parental psychological control have systematically been linked to loneliness. On the biological level, DNA methylation (which is an epigenetic process that suppresses gene expression) is believed to play a role in the development of loneliness. Specifically, high levels of DNA methylation in genes that play an important role in the functioning of the human stress response system are believed to elevate the risk of loneliness. Moreover, DNA methylation levels in these stress-related genes can be influenced by stressful environmental factors, suggesting a potential mediating role of DNA methylation in the association between parenting behaviors and loneliness. The current 3-year longitudinal study is the first study to examine the potential bidirectional longitudinal associations between loneliness, DNA methylation in stress-related genes, and both perceived parental support and psychological control. Furthermore, we explored the potential mediating role of DNA methylation in stress-related genes in the associations between perceived parenting and loneliness. The sample comprised 622 early adolescents (55% girls, Mage T1 = 10.77 years, SDage T1 = 0.48) who were followed from Grade 5 to 7. Parental support, psychological control, and loneliness were assessed annually by adolescent self-report questionnaires and DNA methylation was determined from saliva samples. Cross-Lagged Panel Models (CLPM) revealed that higher levels of loneliness predicted lower perceived parental support and higher perceived psychological control over time, as well as higher DNA methylation in some stress-related genes, that is, the glucocorticoid receptor gene (NR3C1) and the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). In addition, higher NR3C1 methylation was predictive of lower perceived parental support and higher psychological control over time. No evidence was found for a mediating role of DNA methylation. Overall, our longitudinal findings challenge the current focus on DNA methylation and parenting behaviors as risk factors for adolescent loneliness. Instead, they suggest that the less considered direction of effects, which implies that loneliness predicts DNA methylation and aspects of parenting such as support and psychological control, should receive greater attention in future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yentl Koopmans
- School Psychology and Development in Context, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Stefanie A Nelemans
- Department of Youth and Family, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Guy Bosmans
- Department of Clinical Psychology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | | | - Luc Goossens
- School Psychology and Development in Context, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Stoffel M, Rahn S, Neubauer AB, Moessner M, Aguilar-Raab C, Ditzen B. Associations of SLC6A4 methylation with salivary cortisol, salivary alpha-amylase, and subjective stress in everyday life. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2023; 153:106283. [PMID: 37196602 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2023.106283] [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: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Dysregulations of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) and sympatho-adrenal medullary (SAM) axis are associated with mental and somatic illness. However, there is lack of knowledge regarding the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects. Epigenetic states in the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) were shown to be associated with stress in various forms. We hypothesized that levels of DNA methylation (DNAm) of SLC6A4 would be associated with altered SAM- and HPA regulation in daily life. N = 74 healthy persons participated in the study. An ecological momentary assessment (EMA) approach was used to assess indicators of stress in daily life. Each day included six concurrent assessments of saliva, to quantify cortisol (sCort; HPA axis) and alpha-amylase (sAA; SAM axis), and to assess self-reports on subjective stress. To assess SLC6A4 DNAm, peripheral blood was drawn and analyzed via bisulfite pyrosequencing. All data were assessed in two waves three months apart, each including two days of EMA and the assessment of SLC6A4 DNAm. Data were analyzed using multilevel models. On the between-person level, higher average levels of SLC6A4 DNAm were associated with higher average levels of sAA, but not with average levels of sCort. On the within-person level, higher levels of SLC6A4 DNAm were associated with lower levels of sAA and sCort. There were no associations of subjective stress with SLC6A4 DNAm. The results help to clarify the association between environmental stress and stress axes regulation, pointing towards an important role of differential within- and between-person effects of SLC6A4 DNAm, which might shape this association.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Stoffel
- Institute of Medical Psychology, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Heidelberg University Hospital, Ruprecht-Karls University Heidelberg, Bergheimer Straße 20, 69115 Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Stefanie Rahn
- Clinic of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology (DIR), Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 420, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andreas B Neubauer
- Department for Education and Human Development, DIPF | Leibniz Institute for Research and Information in Education, Rostocker Straße 6, 60323 Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Markus Moessner
- Center for Psychotherapy Research, Heidelberg University Hospital, Bergheimer Str. 54, 69115 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Corina Aguilar-Raab
- Institute of Medical Psychology, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Heidelberg University Hospital, Ruprecht-Karls University Heidelberg, Bergheimer Straße 20, 69115 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Beate Ditzen
- Institute of Medical Psychology, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Heidelberg University Hospital, Ruprecht-Karls University Heidelberg, Bergheimer Straße 20, 69115 Heidelberg, Germany.
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11
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Komanchuk J, Letourneau N, Duffett-Leger L, Cameron JL. History of "Serve and Return" and a Synthesis of the Literature on its Impacts on Children's Health and Development. Issues Ment Health Nurs 2023; 44:406-417. [PMID: 37015096 DOI: 10.1080/01612840.2023.2192794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/06/2023]
Abstract
Parent/caregiver sensitivity and responsiveness are important for children's health and development. The "serve and return" metaphor was created to help providers and caregivers understand the importance of sensitive and responsive early caregiving. In this review, we explain the concept of "serve and return", outline historical and theoretical principles that culminated in this metaphor, highlight parent and child constructs associated with "serve and return" interactions, and synthesize literature on sensitive and responsive caregiving and children's health and developmental outcomes. Nurses and other healthcare professionals in public policy, clinical, community, education, and research roles need knowledge of "serve and return" interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelena Komanchuk
- Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | | | | | - Judy L Cameron
- Faculty of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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Luo F, Zhu Z, Du Y, Chen L, Cheng Y. Risk Factors for Postpartum Depression Based on Genetic and Epigenetic Interactions. Mol Neurobiol 2023; 60:3979-4003. [PMID: 37004608 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03313-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023]
Abstract
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a serious mood disorder that tends to occur after the delivery, which may bring lifelong consequences to women and their families in terms of family relationships, social relationships, and mental health. Currently, various risk factors including environmental factors and genetic factors that may induce postpartum depression have been extensively studied. In this review, we suggest that postpartum women's susceptibility to postpartum depression may be the result of the interaction between the genes associated with postpartum depression as well as the interaction between genetic and environmental factors. We reviewed the genes that have been studied in postpartum depression, including genes related to the synthesis, metabolism, and transport of monoamine neurotransmitters, key molecules of the HPA axis, and the kynurenine pathway. These studies have found more or less gene-gene and gene-environment interactions, so we will discuss these issues in more detail. However, so far, the conclusions of these risk factors, especially genetic factors, are not completely consistent in the occurrence and exacerbation of symptoms in postpartum depression, and it is not clear how these risk factors specifically participate in the pathological mechanism of the disease and play a role. We conclude that the role of genetic polymorphisms, including genetic and epigenetic processes, in the occurrence and development of postpartum depression, is complex and ambiguous. We also note that interactions between multiple candidate genes and the environment have been suggested as causes of depression, suggesting that more definitive research is needed to understand the heritability and susceptibility of PPD. Overall, our work supports the hypothesis that postpartum depression is more likely to be caused by a combination of multiple genetic and environmental factors than by a single genetic or environmental influence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Luo
- NHC Key Laboratory of Birth Defect for Research and Prevention, Hunan Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changsha, China
- Center on Translational Neuroscience, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Zimo Zhu
- Center on Translational Neuroscience, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Du
- Center on Translational Neuroscience, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Lei Chen
- Center on Translational Neuroscience, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Yong Cheng
- NHC Key Laboratory of Birth Defect for Research and Prevention, Hunan Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changsha, China.
- Center on Translational Neuroscience, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China.
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He Q, Lian C, Peng S, Chen H, Kang Q, Chen J. Hypermethylation of the serotonin transporter gene and paternal parenting styles in untreated anorexia nervosa patients: A pilot study. Heliyon 2023; 9:e12635. [PMID: 36747546 PMCID: PMC9898629 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e12635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose It has been reported that serotonergic systems and parenting styles are involved in the pathogenesis of anorexia nervosa (AN). The present study made attempts to examine the DNA methylation profiles in the promoter region of serotonin transporter (5-HTT) encoding gene SLC6A4, and explore the association between the methylation level and severity of symptoms, 5-HTT linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) genotypes and parenting styles in untreated Chinese Han AN patients. Methods Ninety-one untreated female AN patients (ANs) and eighty-seven matched healthy controls (HCs) were analyzed for DNA methylation status at CpG islands in the promoter region of SLC6A4 using MassARRY EpiTYPER, and genotypes of 5-HTTLPR using PCR-RFLP. The severity of eating disorder (ED) symptoms was evaluated by body mass index (BMI) and Questionnaire Version of the Eating Disorders Examination (EDE-Q 6.0), and part of participants were assessed parenting styles using the short Chinese Egna Minnen av Barndoms Uppfostra (s-EMBU-C). Results ANs had greater methylation levels at CpG26.27.28, CpG 31.32, and CpG 37 than HCs (P = 0.039, 0.042, 0.018 respectively). A positive association of methylation level at CpG26.27.28 with ED symptoms detected by EDEQ-6.0 was discovered in AN group (r = 0.216, P = 0.047). Methylation level at CpG26.27.28 was showed to be or tend to be positively correlated with the parenting styles of paternal rejection (r = 0.425, P = 0.038) and paternal overprotection (r = 0.362, P = 0.062) in ANs. No significant differences were found in SLC6A4 promoter region methylation levels among 5-HTTLPR genotypes in our samples (P > 0.05) and no interaction effect between 5-HTTLPR genotypes and parenting styles on SLC6A4 promoter region methylation was observed (P > 0.05). Conclusions This study suggested that hypermethylation of SLC6A4 promoter region may be implicated in the pathological mechanisms of untreated Chinese Han female ANs, which is possibly associated with poor parenting styles. This finding may provide a direction for the epigenetic and family treatments for ANs and further investigation with larger samples is warranted.
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Beopoulos A, Géa M, Fasano A, Iris F. RNA epitranscriptomics dysregulation: A major determinant for significantly increased risk of ASD pathogenesis. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1101422. [PMID: 36875672 PMCID: PMC9978375 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1101422] [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: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are perhaps the most severe, intractable and challenging child psychiatric disorders. They are complex, pervasive and highly heterogeneous and depend on multifactorial neurodevelopmental conditions. Although the pathogenesis of autism remains unclear, it revolves around altered neurodevelopmental patterns and their implications for brain function, although these cannot be specifically linked to symptoms. While these affect neuronal migration and connectivity, little is known about the processes that lead to the disruption of specific laminar excitatory and inhibitory cortical circuits, a key feature of ASD. It is evident that ASD has multiple underlying causes and this multigenic condition has been considered to also dependent on epigenetic effects, although the exact nature of the factors that could be involved remains unclear. However, besides the possibility for differential epigenetic markings directly affecting the relative expression levels of individual genes or groups of genes, there are at least three mRNA epitranscriptomic mechanisms, which function cooperatively and could, in association with both genotypes and environmental conditions, alter spatiotemporal proteins expression patterns during brain development, at both quantitative and qualitative levels, in a tissue-specific, and context-dependent manner. As we have already postulated, sudden changes in environmental conditions, such as those conferred by maternal inflammation/immune activation, influence RNA epitranscriptomic mechanisms, with the combination of these processes altering fetal brain development. Herein, we explore the postulate whereby, in ASD pathogenesis, RNA epitranscriptomics might take precedence over epigenetic modifications. RNA epitranscriptomics affects real-time differential expression of receptor and channel proteins isoforms, playing a prominent role in central nervous system (CNS) development and functions, but also RNAi which, in turn, impact the spatiotemporal expression of receptors, channels and regulatory proteins irrespective of isoforms. Slight dysregulations in few early components of brain development, could, depending upon their extent, snowball into a huge variety of pathological cerebral alterations a few years after birth. This may very well explain the enormous genetic, neuropathological and symptomatic heterogeneities that are systematically associated with ASD and psychiatric disorders at large.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Manuel Géa
- Bio-Modeling Systems, Tour CIT, Paris, France
| | - Alessio Fasano
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Mucosal Immunology and Biology Research Center, Center for Celiac Research and Treatment, Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, Boston, MA, United States
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15
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Timmers ER, Plösch T, Smit M, Hof IH, Verkaik-Schakel RN, Tijssen MAJ, de Koning TJ, Niezen-Koning KE. Methylation of the serotonin reuptake transporter gene and non-motor symptoms in dystonia patients. Clin Epigenetics 2022; 14:170. [PMID: 36503539 PMCID: PMC9743677 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-022-01384-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dystonia is a rare movement disorder, in which patients suffer from involuntary twisting movements or abnormal posturing. Next to these motor symptoms, patients have a high prevalence of psychiatric comorbidity, suggesting a role for serotonin in its pathophysiology. This study investigates the percentage of DNA methylation of the gene encoding for the serotonin reuptake transporter (SLC6A4) in dystonia patients and the associations between methylation levels and presence and severity of psychiatric symptoms. METHODS Patients with cervical dystonia (n = 49), myoclonus dystonia (n = 41) and dopa-responsive dystonia (DRD) (n = 27) and a group of healthy controls (n = 56) were included. Psychiatric comorbidity was evaluated with validated questionnaires. Methylation levels of 20 CpG sites situated 69 to 213 base pairs upstream of the start codon of SLC6A4 were investigated. Methylation in dystonia patients was compared to healthy controls, correcting for age, and correlated with psychiatric comorbidity. RESULTS Bootstrapped quantile regression analysis showed that being a dystonia patient compared to a healthy control significantly explains the methylation level at two CpG sites (CpG 24: pseudo-R2 = 0.05, p = 0.04, CpG 32: pseudo-R2 = 0.14, p = 0.03). Subgroup analysis revealed that being a DRD patient significantly explained a part of the variance of methylation levels at two CpG sites (CpG 21: pseudo-R2 = 0.03, p = 0.00, CpG 24: pseudo-R2 = 0.06, p = 0.03). Regression analysis showed that methylation level at CpG 38 significantly explained a small proportion of the variance of severity score for anxiety (R2 = 0.07, p = 0.04) and having a diagnosis of depression (Nagelkerke R2: 0.11, p = 0.00). Genotype of the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism had no additional effect on these associations. CONCLUSIONS This study showed an association between percentage of methylation at several specific sites of the promoter region of SLCA64 and (dopa-responsive) dystonia patients compared to healthy controls. Furthermore, methylation levels were associated with severity of anxiety and presence of a depressive disorder in the dystonia group. This study suggests alterations in the serotonergic metabolism in dystonia patients, and its relation with the non-motor symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elze R. Timmers
- grid.4830.f0000 0004 0407 1981Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, PO Box 30.001, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands ,grid.4494.d0000 0000 9558 4598Expertise Center Movement Disorders Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), PO Box 30.001, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Torsten Plösch
- grid.4830.f0000 0004 0407 1981Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Marenka Smit
- grid.4830.f0000 0004 0407 1981Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, PO Box 30.001, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands ,grid.4494.d0000 0000 9558 4598Expertise Center Movement Disorders Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), PO Box 30.001, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Ingrid H. Hof
- grid.4494.d0000 0000 9558 4598Laboratory of Metabolic Diseases, Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, PO Box 30.001, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Rikst Nynke Verkaik-Schakel
- grid.4830.f0000 0004 0407 1981Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Marina A. J. Tijssen
- grid.4830.f0000 0004 0407 1981Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, PO Box 30.001, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands ,grid.4494.d0000 0000 9558 4598Expertise Center Movement Disorders Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), PO Box 30.001, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Tom J. de Koning
- grid.4494.d0000 0000 9558 4598Expertise Center Movement Disorders Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), PO Box 30.001, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands ,grid.4514.40000 0001 0930 2361Pediatrics, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Box 117, 221 00 Lund, Sweden
| | - Klary E. Niezen-Koning
- grid.4494.d0000 0000 9558 4598Expertise Center Movement Disorders Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), PO Box 30.001, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands ,grid.4494.d0000 0000 9558 4598Laboratory of Metabolic Diseases, Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, PO Box 30.001, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands
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Childhood Trauma and Epigenetics: State of the Science and Future. Curr Environ Health Rep 2022; 9:661-672. [PMID: 36242743 DOI: 10.1007/s40572-022-00381-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW There is a great deal of interest regarding the biological embedding of childhood trauma and social exposures through epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation (DNAm), but a comprehensive understanding has been hindered by issues of limited reproducibility between studies. This review presents a summary of the literature on childhood trauma and DNAm, highlights issues in the field, and proposes some potential solutions. RECENT FINDINGS Investigations of the associations between DNAm and childhood trauma are commonly performed using candidate gene approaches, specifically involving genes related to neurological and stress pathways. Childhood trauma is defined in a wide range of ways in several societal contexts. However, although variations in DNAm are frequently found in stress-related genes, unsupervised epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS) have shown limited reproducibility both between studies and in relating these changes to exposures. The reproducibility of childhood trauma DNAm studies, and the field of social epigenetics in general, may be improved by increasing sample sizes, standardizing variables, making use of effect size thresholds, collecting longitudinal and intervention samples, appropriately accounting for known confounding factors, and applying causal analysis wherever possible, such as "two-step epigenetic Mendelian randomization."
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Maternal and infant NR3C1 and SLC6A4 epigenetic signatures of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown: when timing matters. Transl Psychiatry 2022; 12:386. [PMID: 36114180 PMCID: PMC9481531 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-022-02160-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Stress exposure during pregnancy is critically linked with maternal mental health and child development. The effects might involve altered patterns of DNA methylation in specific stress-related genes (i.e., glucocorticoid receptor gene, NR3C1, and serotonin transporter gene, SLC6A4) and might be moderated by the gestational timing of stress exposure. In this study, we report on NR3C1 and SLC6A4 methylation status in Italian mothers and infants who were exposed to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown during different trimesters of pregnancy. From May 2020 to February 2021, 283 mother-infant dyads were enrolled at delivery. Within 24 h from delivery, buccal cells were collected to assess NR3C1 (44 CpG sites) and SLC6A4 (13 CpG sites) methylation status. Principal component (PC) analyses were used to reduce methylation data dimension to one PC per maternal and infant gene methylation. Mother-infant dyads were split into three groups based on the pregnancy trimester (first, second, third), during which they were exposed to the COVID-19 lockdown. Mothers and infants who were exposed to the lockdown during the first trimester of pregnancy had lower NR3C1 and SLC6A4 methylation when compared to counterparts exposed during the second or third trimesters. The effect remained significant after controlling for confounders. Women who were pregnant during the pandemic and their infants might present altered epigenetic biomarkers of stress-related genes. As these epigenetic marks have been previously linked with a heightened risk of maternal psychiatric problems and less-than-optimal child development, mothers and infants should be adequately monitored for psychological health during and after the pandemic.
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Alameda L, Trotta G, Quigley H, Rodriguez V, Gadelrab R, Dwir D, Dempster E, Wong CCY, Forti MD. Can epigenetics shine a light on the biological pathways underlying major mental disorders? Psychol Med 2022; 52:1645-1665. [PMID: 35193719 PMCID: PMC9280283 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291721005559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
A significant proportion of the global burden of disease can be attributed to mental illness. Despite important advances in identifying risk factors for mental health conditions, the biological processing underlying causal pathways to disease onset remain poorly understood. This represents a limitation to implement effective prevention and the development of novel pharmacological treatments. Epigenetic mechanisms have emerged as mediators of environmental and genetic risk factors which might play a role in disease onset, including childhood adversity (CA) and cannabis use (CU). Particularly, human research exploring DNA methylation has provided new and promising insights into the role of biological pathways implicated in the aetio-pathogenesis of psychiatric conditions, including: monoaminergic (Serotonin and Dopamine), GABAergic, glutamatergic, neurogenesis, inflammatory and immune response and oxidative stress. While these epigenetic changes have been often studied as disease-specific, similarly to the investigation of environmental risk factors, they are often transdiagnostic. Therefore, we aim to review the existing literature on DNA methylation from human studies of psychiatric diseases (i) to identify epigenetic modifications mapping onto biological pathways either transdiagnostically or specifically related to psychiatric diseases such as Eating Disorders, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, Bipolar and Psychotic Disorder, Depression, Autism Spectrum Disorder and Anxiety Disorder, and (ii) to investigate a convergence between some of these epigenetic modifications and the exposure to known risk factors for psychiatric disorders such as CA and CU, as well as to other epigenetic confounders in psychiatry research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Alameda
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- Departamento de Psiquiatría, Centro Investigación Biomedica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBIS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Giulia Trotta
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Harriet Quigley
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Victoria Rodriguez
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Romayne Gadelrab
- Centre for Affective Disorders, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Daniella Dwir
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Psychiatric Neuroscience, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Emma Dempster
- University of Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter, Barrack Road, Exeter, UK
| | - Chloe C. Y. Wong
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Marta Di Forti
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, UK
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
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Prognostic Risk Signature and Comprehensive Analyses of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Related Genes in Lung Adenocarcinoma. J Immunol Res 2022; 2022:6567916. [PMID: 35571564 PMCID: PMC9096573 DOI: 10.1155/2022/6567916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the main pathological subtype of non-small-cell lung cancer. Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) has been found to be involved in multiple tumor-related biological processes. At present, a comprehensive analysis of ERS-related genes in LUAD is still lacking. A total of 1034 samples from TCGA and GEO were used to screen differentially expressed genes. Further, Random Forest algorithm was utilized to screen characteristic genes related to prognosis. Then, LASSO Cox regression was used to construct a prognostic signature. Taking the median of signature score as the threshold, patients were separated into high-risk (HR) group and low-risk (LR) group. Tumor mutation burden (TMB), immune cell infiltration, cancer stem cell infiltration, expression of HLA, and immune checkpoints of the two risk groups were analyzed. TIDE score was used to evaluate the response of the two risk groups to immunotherapy. Finally, the gene expression was verified in clinical tissues with RT-qPCR. An eight-gene signature (ADRB2, AGER, CDKN3, GJB2, SFTPC, SLC2A1, SLC6A4, and SSR4) was constructed. TMB and cancer stem cell infiltration were higher in the HR group than the LR group. TIDE score and expression level of HLA were higher in the LR group than the HR group. Expression level of immune checkpoints, including CD28, CD27, IDO2, and others, were higher in the LR group. Multiple drugs approved by FAD, targeting ERS-related genes, were available for the treatment of LUAD. In summary, we established a stable prognostic model based on ERS-related genes to help the classification of LUAD patients and looked for new treatment strategies from aspects of immunity, tumor mutation, and tumor stem cell infiltration.
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Sumner JA, Gambazza S, Gao X, Baccarelli AA, Uddin M, McLaughlin KA. Epigenetics of early-life adversity in youth: cross-sectional and longitudinal associations. Clin Epigenetics 2022; 14:48. [PMID: 35395780 PMCID: PMC8994405 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-022-01269-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Altered DNA methylation (DNAm) may be one pathway through which early-life adversity (ELA) contributes to adverse mental and physical health outcomes. This study investigated whether the presence versus absence of ELA experiences reflecting the dimensions of threat and deprivation were associated with epigenome-wide DNAm cross-sectionally and longitudinally in a community-based sample of children and adolescents. METHODS In 113 youths aged 8-16 years with wide variability in ELA, we examined associations of abuse (physical, sexual, emotional; indicating threat-related experiences) and neglect (emotional, physical; indicating deprivation-related experiences) with DNAm assessed with the Illumina EPIC BeadChip array, with DNA derived from saliva. In cross-sectional epigenome-wide analyses, we investigated associations of lifetime abuse and neglect with DNAm at baseline. In longitudinal epigenome-wide analyses, we examined whether experiencing abuse and neglect over an approximately 2-year follow-up were each associated with change in DNAm from baseline to follow-up. RESULTS In cross-sectional analyses adjusting for lifetime experience of neglect, lifetime experience of abuse was associated with DNAm for four cytosine-phosphodiester-guanine (CpG) sites (cg20241299: coefficient = 0.023, SE = 0.004; cg08671764: coefficient = 0.018, SE = 0.003; cg27152686: coefficient = - 0.069, SE = 0.012; cg24241897: coefficient = - 0.003, SE = 0.001; FDR < .05). In longitudinal analyses, experiencing neglect over follow-up was associated with an increase in DNAm for one CpG site, adjusting for abuse over follow-up (cg03135983: coefficient = 0.036, SE = 0.006; FDR < .05). CONCLUSIONS In this study, we identified examples of epigenetic patterns associated with ELA experiences of threat and deprivation that were already observable in youth. We provide novel evidence for change in DNAm over time in relation to ongoing adversity and that experiences reflecting distinct ELA dimensions may be characterized by unique epigenetic patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer A Sumner
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Psychology Building 1285, Box 951563, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1563, USA.
| | - Simone Gambazza
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Healthcare Professions Department, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Xu Gao
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Andrea A Baccarelli
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Monica Uddin
- Genomics Program, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
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Lippard ETC, Nemeroff CB. Going beyond risk factor: Childhood maltreatment and associated modifiable targets to improve life-long outcomes in mood disorders. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2022; 215:173361. [PMID: 35219755 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2022.173361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Childhood maltreatment increases risk for mood disorders and is associated with earlier onset-and more pernicious disease course following onset-of mood disorders. While the majority of studies to date have been cross-sectional, longitudinal studies are emerging and support the devastating role(s) childhood maltreatment has on development of, and illness course in, mood disorders. This manuscript extends prior reviews to emphasize more recent work, highlighting longitudinal data, and discusses treatment studies that provide clues to mechanisms that mediate disease risk, course, relapse, and treatment response. Evidence suggesting systemic inflammation, alterations in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function and corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) neural systems, genetic and other familial factors as mechanisms that mediate risk and onset of, and illness course in, mood disorders following childhood maltreatment is discussed. Risky behaviors following maltreatment, e.g., substance use and unhealthy lifestyles, may further exacerbate alterations in the HPA axis, CRF neural systems, and systematic inflammation to contribute to a more pernicious disease course. More research on sex differences and the impact of maltreatment in vulnerable populations is needed. Future research needs to be aimed at leveraging knowledge on modifiable targets, going beyond childhood maltreatment as a risk factor, to inform prevention and treatment strategies and foster trauma-informed care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth T C Lippard
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Dell Medical School, University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA; Institute of Early Life Adversity Research, Dell Medical School, University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA; Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA; Department of Psychology, University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA; Mulva Clinic for Neuroscience, Dell Medical School, University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA.
| | - Charles B Nemeroff
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Dell Medical School, University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA; Institute of Early Life Adversity Research, Dell Medical School, University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA; Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA; Mulva Clinic for Neuroscience, Dell Medical School, University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA
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Müller S, Moser D, Frach L, Wimberger P, Nitzsche K, Li SC, Kirschbaum C, Alexander N. No long-term effects of antenatal synthetic glucocorticoid exposure on epigenetic regulation of stress-related genes. Transl Psychiatry 2022; 12:62. [PMID: 35173143 PMCID: PMC8850596 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-022-01828-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Antenatal synthetic glucocorticoid (sGC) treatment is a potent modifier of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. In this context, epigenetic modifications are discussed as potential regulators explaining how prenatal exposure to GCs might translate into persistent changes of HPA axis "functioning". The purpose of this study was to investigate whether DNA methylation and gene expression profiles of stress-associated genes (NR3C1; FKBP5; SLC6A4) may mediate the persistent effects of sGC on cortisol stress reactivity that have been previously observed. In addition, hair cortisol concentrations (hairC) were investigated as a valid biomarker of long-term HPA axis activity. This cross-sectional study comprised 108 term-born children and adolescents, including individuals with antenatal GC treatment and controls. From whole blood, DNA methylation was analyzed by targeted deep bisulfite sequencing. Relative mRNA expression was determined by RT-qPCR experiments and qBase analysis. Acute stress reactivity was assessed by the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) measuring salivary cortisol by ELISA and hairC concentrations were determined from hair samples by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. First, no differences in DNA methylation and mRNA expression levels of the stress-associated genes between individuals treated with antenatal sGC compared to controls were found. Second, DNA methylation and mRNA expression levels were neither associated with cortisol stress reactivity nor with hairC. These findings do not corroborate the belief that DNA methylation and mRNA expression profiles of stress-associated genes (NR3C1; FKBP5; SLC6A4) play a key mediating role of the persistent effects of sGC on HPA axis functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svenja Müller
- Department of Genetic Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr Universität Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, 44801, Bochum, Germany.
| | - Dirk Moser
- grid.5570.70000 0004 0490 981XDepartment of Genetic Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr Universität Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, 44801 Bochum, Germany
| | - Leonard Frach
- grid.5570.70000 0004 0490 981XDepartment of Genetic Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr Universität Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, 44801 Bochum, Germany ,grid.83440.3b0000000121901201Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, University College London, 26 Bedford Way, London, WC1H 0AP UK
| | - Pauline Wimberger
- grid.4488.00000 0001 2111 7257Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Katharina Nitzsche
- grid.4488.00000 0001 2111 7257Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Shu-Chen Li
- grid.4488.00000 0001 2111 7257Faculty of Psychology, Technische Universität Dresden, Zellescher Weg 17, 01602 Dresden, Germany ,grid.4488.00000 0001 2111 7257CeTI – Centre for Tactile Internet with Human-in-the-Loop, Technische Universität Dresden, Georg-Schumann-Str. 9, 01187 Dresden, Germany
| | - Clemens Kirschbaum
- grid.4488.00000 0001 2111 7257Faculty of Psychology, Technische Universität Dresden, Zellescher Weg 17, 01602 Dresden, Germany
| | - Nina Alexander
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Philipps University Marburg, Rudolf-Bultmann-Str. 8, 35039, Marburg, Germany. .,Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior, Philipps University Marburg, Hans-Meerwein-Str. 6, 35032, Marburg, Germany.
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23
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Kohl PL, Gyimah EA, Diaz J, Kuhlmann FM, Dulience SJL, Embaye F, Brown DS, Guo S, Luby JL, Nicholas JL, Turner J, Chapnick M, Pierre JM, Boncy J, St Fleur R, Black MM, Iannotti LL. Grandi Byen-supporting child growth and development through integrated, responsive parenting, nutrition and hygiene: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. BMC Pediatr 2022; 22:54. [PMID: 35062907 PMCID: PMC8780724 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-021-03089-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Poor child growth and development outcomes stem from complex relationships encompassing biological, behavioral, social, and environmental conditions. However, there is a dearth of research on integrated approaches targeting these interwoven factors. The Grandi Byen study seeks to fill this research gap through a three-arm longitudinal randomized controlled trial which will evaluate the impact of an integrated nutrition, responsive parenting, and WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) intervention on holistic child growth and development. METHODS We will recruit 600 mother-infant dyads living in Cap-Haitien, Haiti and randomize them equally into one of the following groups: 1) standard well-baby care; 2) nutritional intervention (one egg per day for 6 months); and 3) multicomponent Grandi Byen intervention (responsive parenting, nutrition, WASH + one egg per day for 6 months). Primary outcomes include child growth as well as cognitive, language, motor, and social-emotional development. The study also assesses other indicators of child health (bone maturation, brain growth, diarrheal morbidity and allergies, dietary intake, nutrient biomarkers) along with responsive parenting as mediating factors influencing the primary outcomes. An economic evaluation will assess the feasibility of large-scale implementation of the interventions. DISCUSSION This study builds on research highlighting the importance of responsive parenting interventions on overall child health, as well as evidence demonstrating that providing an egg daily to infants during the complementary feeding period can prevent stunted growth. The multicomponent Grandi Byen intervention may provide evidence of synergistic or mediating effects of an egg intervention with instruction on psychoeducational parenting and WASH on child growth and development. Grandi Byen presents key innovations with implications for the well-being of children living in poverty globally. TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT04785352 . Registered March 5, 2021 at https://clinicaltrials.gov/.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia L Kohl
- Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, 1 Brookings Dr., Campus Box 1196, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA
| | - Emmanuel A Gyimah
- Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, 1 Brookings Dr., Campus Box 1196, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA.
| | - Jenna Diaz
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, 660 S. Euclid Ave., St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - F Matthew Kuhlmann
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, 660 S. Euclid Ave., St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Sherlie Jean-Louis Dulience
- Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, 1 Brookings Dr., Campus Box 1196, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA
| | - Fithi Embaye
- Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, 1 Brookings Dr., Campus Box 1196, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA
| | - Derek S Brown
- Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, 1 Brookings Dr., Campus Box 1196, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA
| | - Shenyang Guo
- Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, 1 Brookings Dr., Campus Box 1196, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA
| | - Joan L Luby
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, 660 S. Euclid Ave., St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Jennifer L Nicholas
- Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Jay Turner
- McKelvey School of Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, 1 Brookings Dr., St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA
| | - Melissa Chapnick
- Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, 1 Brookings Dr., Campus Box 1196, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA
| | - Joseline Marhone Pierre
- Unité de Coordination du Programme National d'Alimentation et de Nutrition, Ministère de la Santé Publique et de la Population, 1, Angle Avenue Maïs Gaté et, Rue Jacques Roumain, Port-au-Prince, Haiti
| | - Jacques Boncy
- Laboratoire National de Santé Publique, Ministère de la Santé Publique et de la Population, 1, Angle Avenue Maïs Gaté et, Rue Jacques Roumain, Port-au-Prince, Haiti
| | | | - Maureen M Black
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 655 W. Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Lora L Iannotti
- Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, 1 Brookings Dr., Campus Box 1196, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA
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24
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Provenzi L, Villa M, Mambretti F, Citterio A, Grumi S, Bertazzoli E, Biasucci G, Decembrino L, Gardella B, Giacchero R, Magnani ML, Nacinovich R, Pisoni C, Prefumo F, Orcesi S, Scelsa B, Giorda R, Borgatti R. Is Brain-Derived Neurotropic Factor Methylation Involved in the Association Between Prenatal Stress and Maternal Postnatal Anxiety During the COVID-19 Pandemic? Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:950455. [PMID: 35911240 PMCID: PMC9329563 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.950455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic is a collective trauma that may expose susceptible individuals to high levels of stress. Pregnant women represent a high-risk population, considering that pregnancy is a period of heightened neuroplasticity and susceptibility to stress through epigenetic mechanisms. Previous studies showed that the methylation status of the BDNF gene is linked with prenatal stress exposure. The goals of this study were (a) to assess the association between pandemic-related stress and postnatal anxiety and (b) to investigate the potential role of maternal BDNF methylation as a significant mediator of this association. METHODS In the present study, we report data on the association among pandemic-related stress during pregnancy, maternal BDNF methylation, and postnatal anxiety symptoms. Pandemic-related stress and postnatal anxiety were assessed through self-report instruments. BDNF methylation was estimated in 11 CpG sites in DNA from mothers' buccal cells. Complete data were available from 108 mothers. RESULTS Results showed that pandemic-related stress was associated with an increased risk of postnatal anxiety, r = 0.20, p < 0.05. CpG-specific BDNF methylation was significantly associated with both prenatal pandemic-related stress, r = 0.21, p < 0.05, and postnatal maternal anxious symptoms, r = 0.25, p = 0.01. Moreover, a complete mediation by the BDNF CpG6 methylation emerged between pandemic-related stress during pregnancy and postnatal maternal anxiety, ACME = 0.66, p < 0.05. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that BDNF epigenetic regulation by pandemic-related stress might contribute to increase the risk of anxiety in mothers. Policymakers should prioritize the promotion of health and wellbeing in pregnant women and mothers during the present healthcare emergency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Livio Provenzi
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.,Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Marco Villa
- Scientific Institute IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | | | | | - Serena Grumi
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Barbara Gardella
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.,Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | | | | | - Renata Nacinovich
- ASST Monza, Monza, Italy.,Department of Medicine and Surgery, Università Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Federico Prefumo
- ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy.,Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Simona Orcesi
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.,Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | | | - Roberto Giorda
- Scientific Institute IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Renato Borgatti
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.,Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
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25
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Mariani Wigley ILC, Mascheroni E, Fontana C, Giorda R, Morandi F, Bonichini S, McGlone F, Fumagalli M, Montirosso R. The role of maternal touch in the association between SLC6A4 methylation and stress response in very preterm infants. Dev Psychobiol 2021; 63 Suppl 1:e22218. [PMID: 34964498 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Very preterm (VPT) infants requiring hospitalization in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) are exposed to several stressful procedural experiences. One consequence of NICU-related stress is a birth-to-discharge increased serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) methylation that has been associated with poorer stress regulation at 3 months of age. Maternal touch is thought to support infants' stress response, but its role in moderating the effects of SLC6A4 methylation changes is unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the role of maternal touch in moderating the association between increased SLC6A4 methylation and stress response in 3-month-old VPT infants. Twenty-nine dyads were enrolled and at 3 months (age corrected for prematurity), participated in the Face-to-Face Still-Face paradigm to measure infants' stress response (i.e., negative emotionality) and the amount of maternal touch (i.e., dynamic and static). Results showed that low level of maternal touch is associated with high level of negative emotionality during social stress. Furthermore, during NICU stay SLC6A4 methylation in VPT exposed to low level of maternal touch at 3 months was associated with increased negative emotionality. Thus, low levels of maternal static touch can intensify the negative effects of SLC6A4 epigenetic changes on stress response in 3-month-old VPT infants.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eleonora Mascheroni
- 0-3 Center for the at-Risk Infant, Scientific Institute IRCCS "Eugenio Medea", Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
| | - Camilla Fontana
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, NICU, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberto Giorda
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Scientific Institute IRCCS "Eugenio Medea", Lecco, Italy
| | | | - Sabrina Bonichini
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Francis McGlone
- School of Natural Sciences and Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK.,Institute of Psychology Health & Society, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Monica Fumagalli
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, NICU, Milan, Italy.,Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Rosario Montirosso
- 0-3 Center for the at-Risk Infant, Scientific Institute IRCCS "Eugenio Medea", Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
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26
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Craig F, Mascheroni E, Giorda R, Felline MG, Bacco MG, Castagna A, Tenuta F, Villa M, Costabile A, Trabacca A, Montirosso R. Exploring the Contribution of Proximal Family Risk Factors on SLC6A4 DNA Methylation in Children with a History of Maltreatment: A Preliminary Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph182312736. [PMID: 34886461 PMCID: PMC8657512 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182312736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The cumulative effects of proximal family risk factors have been associated with a high number of adverse outcomes in childhood maltreatment, and DNA methylation of the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) has been associated with child maltreatment. However, the relationships between proximal family risk factors and SLC6A4 methylation remains unexplored. We examined the association among cumulative family risk factors, maltreatment experiences and DNA methylation in the SLC6A4 gene in a sample of 33 child victims of maltreatment. We computed a cumulative family risk (CFR) index that included proximal family risk factors, such as drug or alcohol abuse, psychopathology, parents’ experiences of maltreatment/abuse in childhood, criminal history, and domestic violence. The majority of children (90.9%) experienced more than one type of maltreatment. Hierarchical regression models suggested that the higher the CFR index score and the number of maltreatment experiences, and the older the children, the higher the SLC6A4 DNA methylation levels. Although preliminary, our findings suggest that, along with childhood maltreatment experiences per se, cumulative proximal family risk factors are seemingly critically associated with DNA methylation at the SLC6A4 gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Craig
- Department of Culture, Education and Society, University of Calabria, 87036 Cosenza, Italy; (F.C.); (F.T.); (A.C.)
- Unit for Severe Disabilities in Developmental Age and Young Adults, Scientific Institute IRCCS Eugenio Medea, 72100 Brindisi, Italy; (M.G.F.); (M.G.B.)
| | - Eleonora Mascheroni
- 0–3 Center for the at-Risk Infant, Scientific Institute IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, 23842 Lecco, Italy; (E.M.); (A.C.); (R.M.)
| | - Roberto Giorda
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Scientific Institute IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, 23842 Lecco, Italy; (R.G.); (M.V.)
| | - Maria Grazia Felline
- Unit for Severe Disabilities in Developmental Age and Young Adults, Scientific Institute IRCCS Eugenio Medea, 72100 Brindisi, Italy; (M.G.F.); (M.G.B.)
| | - Maria Grazia Bacco
- Unit for Severe Disabilities in Developmental Age and Young Adults, Scientific Institute IRCCS Eugenio Medea, 72100 Brindisi, Italy; (M.G.F.); (M.G.B.)
| | - Annalisa Castagna
- 0–3 Center for the at-Risk Infant, Scientific Institute IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, 23842 Lecco, Italy; (E.M.); (A.C.); (R.M.)
| | - Flaviana Tenuta
- Department of Culture, Education and Society, University of Calabria, 87036 Cosenza, Italy; (F.C.); (F.T.); (A.C.)
| | - Marco Villa
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Scientific Institute IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, 23842 Lecco, Italy; (R.G.); (M.V.)
| | - Angela Costabile
- Department of Culture, Education and Society, University of Calabria, 87036 Cosenza, Italy; (F.C.); (F.T.); (A.C.)
| | - Antonio Trabacca
- Unit for Severe Disabilities in Developmental Age and Young Adults, Scientific Institute IRCCS Eugenio Medea, 72100 Brindisi, Italy; (M.G.F.); (M.G.B.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Rosario Montirosso
- 0–3 Center for the at-Risk Infant, Scientific Institute IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, 23842 Lecco, Italy; (E.M.); (A.C.); (R.M.)
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27
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Batra A, Latsko M, Portella AK, Silveira PP. Early adversity and insulin: neuroendocrine programming beyond glucocorticoids. Trends Endocrinol Metab 2021; 32:1031-1043. [PMID: 34635400 DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2021.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to direct or contextual adversities during early life programs the functioning of the brain and other biological systems, contributing to the development of physical as well as mental health issues in the long term. While the role of glucocorticoids in mediating the outcomes of early adversity has been explored for many years, less attention has been given to insulin. Beyond its metabolic effects in the periphery, central insulin action affects synaptic plasticity, brain neurotransmission, and executive functions. Knowledge about the interactions between the peripheral metabolism and brain function from a developmental perspective can contribute to prevention and diagnosis programs, as well as early interventions for vulnerable populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aashita Batra
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
| | - Maeson Latsko
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada; Healthy Brains for Healthy Lives, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Andre Krumel Portella
- Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Patricia P Silveira
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada; Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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28
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Ibrahim P, Almeida D, Nagy C, Turecki G. Molecular impacts of childhood abuse on the human brain. Neurobiol Stress 2021; 15:100343. [PMID: 34141833 PMCID: PMC8187840 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2021.100343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 04/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Childhood abuse (CA) is a prevalent global health concern, increasing the risk of negative mental health outcomes later in life. In the literature, CA is commonly defined as physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, as well as neglect. Several mental disorders have been associated with CA, including depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and post-traumatic stress disorder, along with an increased risk of suicide. It is thought that traumatic life events occurring during childhood and adolescence may have a significant impact on essential brain functions, which may persist throughout adulthood. The interaction between the brain and the external environment can be mediated by epigenetic alterations in gene expression, and there is a growing body of evidence to show that such changes occur as a function of CA. Disruptions in the HPA axis, myelination, plasticity, and signaling have been identified in individuals with a history of CA. Understanding the molecular impact of CA on the brain is essential for the development of treatment and prevention measures. In this review, we will summarize studies that highlight the molecular changes associated with CA in the human brain, along with supporting evidence from peripheral studies and animal models. We will also discuss some of the limitations surrounding the study of CA and propose extracellular vesicles as a promising future approach in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascal Ibrahim
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Verdun, Quebec, Canada
| | - Daniel Almeida
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Verdun, Quebec, Canada
| | - Corina Nagy
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Verdun, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Gustavo Turecki
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Verdun, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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29
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Provenzi L, Mambretti F, Villa M, Grumi S, Citterio A, Bertazzoli E, Biasucci G, Decembrino L, Falcone R, Gardella B, Longo MR, Nacinovich R, Pisoni C, Prefumo F, Orcesi S, Scelsa B, Giorda R, Borgatti R. Hidden pandemic: COVID-19-related stress, SLC6A4 methylation, and infants' temperament at 3 months. Sci Rep 2021; 11:15658. [PMID: 34341434 PMCID: PMC8329206 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-95053-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic represents a collective trauma that may have enduring stress effects during sensitive periods, such as pregnancy. Prenatal stress may result in epigenetic signatures of stress-related genes (e.g., the serotonin transporter gene, SLC6A4) that may in turn influence infants' behavioral development. In April 2020, we launched a longitudinal cohort study to assess the behavioral and epigenetic vestiges of COVID-19-related prenatal stress exposure in mothers and infants. COVID-19-related prenatal stress was retrospectively assessed at birth. SLC6A4 methylation was assessed in thirteen CpG sites in mothers and infants' buccal cells. Infants' temperament was assessed at 3-month-age. Complete data were available from 108 mother-infant dyads. Greater COVID-19-related prenatal stress was significantly associated with higher infants' SLC6A4 methylation in seven CpG sites. SLC6A4 methylation at these sites predicted infants' temperament at 3 months.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Marco Villa
- Scientific Institute IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Barbara Gardella
- Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy.,University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | | | - Renata Nacinovich
- Università Bicocca, Milano, Italy.,San Gerardo Hospital, ASST Monza, Monza, Italy
| | | | - Federico Prefumo
- ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy.,University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Simona Orcesi
- IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy.,University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | | | - Roberto Giorda
- Scientific Institute IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Renato Borgatti
- IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy.,University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
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30
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Abstract
Animal and humans exposed to stress early in life are more likely to suffer from long-term behavioral, mental health, metabolic, immune, and cardiovascular health consequences. The hypothalamus plays a nodal role in programming, controlling, and regulating stress responses throughout the life course. Epigenetic reprogramming in the hippocampus and the hypothalamus play an important role in adapting genome function to experiences and exposures during the perinatal and early life periods and setting up stable phenotypic outcomes. Epigenetic programming during development enables one genome to express multiple cell type identities. The most proximal epigenetic mark to DNA is a covalent modification of the DNA itself by enzymatic addition of methyl moieties. Cell-type-specific DNA methylation profiles are generated during gestational development and define cell and tissue specific phenotypes. Programming of neuronal phenotypes and sex differences in the hypothalamus is achieved by developmentally timed rearrangement of DNA methylation profiles. Similarly, other stations in the life trajectory such as puberty and aging involve predictable and scheduled reorganization of DNA methylation profiles. DNA methylation and other epigenetic marks are critical for maintaining cell-type identity in the brain, across the body, and throughout life. Data that have emerged in the last 15 years suggest that like its role in defining cell-specific phenotype during development, DNA methylation might be involved in defining experiential identities, programming similar genes to perform differently in response to diverse experiential histories. Early life stress impact on lifelong phenotypes is proposed to be mediated by DNA methylation and other epigenetic marks. Epigenetic marks, as opposed to genetic mutations, are reversible by either pharmacological or behavioral strategies and therefore offer the potential for reversing or preventing disease including behavioral and mental health disorders. This chapter discusses data testing the hypothesis that DNA methylation modulations of the HPA axis mediate the impact of early life stress on lifelong behavioral and physical phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moshe Szyf
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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31
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Franke K, Bublak P, Hoyer D, Billiet T, Gaser C, Witte OW, Schwab M. In vivo biomarkers of structural and functional brain development and aging in humans. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 117:142-164. [PMID: 33308708 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2017] [Revised: 11/01/2017] [Accepted: 11/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Brain aging is a major determinant of aging. Along with the aging population, prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases is increasing, therewith placing economic and social burden on individuals and society. Individual rates of brain aging are shaped by genetics, epigenetics, and prenatal environmental. Biomarkers of biological brain aging are needed to predict individual trajectories of aging and the risk for age-associated neurological impairments for developing early preventive and interventional measures. We review current advances of in vivo biomarkers predicting individual brain age. Telomere length and epigenetic clock, two important biomarkers that are closely related to the mechanistic aging process, have only poor deterministic and predictive accuracy regarding individual brain aging due to their high intra- and interindividual variability. Phenotype-related biomarkers of global cognitive function and brain structure provide a much closer correlation to age at the individual level. During fetal and perinatal life, autonomic activity is a unique functional marker of brain development. The cognitive and structural biomarkers also boast high diagnostic specificity for determining individual risks for neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Franke
- Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany.
| | - P Bublak
- Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - D Hoyer
- Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | | | - C Gaser
- Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany; Department of Psychiatry, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - O W Witte
- Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - M Schwab
- Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
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Mourtzi N, Sertedaki A, Charmandari E. Glucocorticoid Signaling and Epigenetic Alterations in Stress-Related Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:5964. [PMID: 34073101 PMCID: PMC8198182 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Stress is defined as a state of threatened or perceived as threatened homeostasis. The well-tuned coordination of the stress response system is necessary for an organism to respond to external or internal stressors and re-establish homeostasis. Glucocorticoid hormones are the main effectors of stress response and aberrant glucocorticoid signaling has been associated with an increased risk for psychiatric and mood disorders, including schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. Emerging evidence suggests that life-stress experiences can alter the epigenetic landscape and impact the function of genes involved in the regulation of stress response. More importantly, epigenetic changes induced by stressors persist over time, leading to increased susceptibility for a number of stress-related disorders. In this review, we discuss the role of glucocorticoids in the regulation of stress response, the mechanism through which stressful experiences can become biologically embedded through epigenetic alterations, and we underline potential associations between epigenetic changes and the development of stress-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niki Mourtzi
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, First Department of Pediatrics, “Aghia Sophia” Children’s Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, 11527 Athens, Greece; (N.M.); (A.S.)
| | - Amalia Sertedaki
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, First Department of Pediatrics, “Aghia Sophia” Children’s Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, 11527 Athens, Greece; (N.M.); (A.S.)
| | - Evangelia Charmandari
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, First Department of Pediatrics, “Aghia Sophia” Children’s Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, 11527 Athens, Greece; (N.M.); (A.S.)
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
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Mariani Wigley ILC, Mascheroni E, Peruzzo D, Giorda R, Bonichini S, Montirosso R. Neuroimaging and DNA Methylation: An Innovative Approach to Study the Effects of Early Life Stress on Developmental Plasticity. Front Psychol 2021; 12:672786. [PMID: 34079501 PMCID: PMC8165202 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.672786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation plays a key role in neural cell fate and provides a molecular link between early life stress and later-life behavioral phenotypes. Here, studies that combine neuroimaging methods and DNA methylation analysis in pediatric population with a history of adverse experiences were systematically reviewed focusing on: targeted genes and neural correlates; statistical models used to examine the link between DNA methylation and neuroimaging data also considering early life stress and behavioral outcomes. We identified 8 studies that report associations between DNA methylation and brain structure/functions in infants, school age children and adolescents faced with early life stress condition (e.g., preterm birth, childhood maltreatment, low socioeconomic status, and less-than optimal caregiving). Results showed that several genes were investigated (e.g., OXTR, SLC6A4, FKBP5, and BDNF) and different neuroimaging techniques were performed (MRI and f-NIRS). Statistical model used ranged from correlational to more complex moderated mediation models. Most of the studies (n = 5) considered DNA methylation and neural correlates as mediators in the relationship between early life stress and behavioral phenotypes. Understanding what role DNA methylation and neural correlates play in interaction with early life stress and behavioral outcomes is crucial to promote theory-driven studies as the future direction of this research fields.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eleonora Mascheroni
- 0-3 Center for the At-Risk Infant, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Denis Peruzzo
- Neuroimaging Lab, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Roberto Giorda
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Sabrina Bonichini
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Rosario Montirosso
- 0-3 Center for the At-Risk Infant, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, Italy
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Craig F, Tenuta F, Rizzato V, Costabile A, Trabacca A, Montirosso R. Attachment-related dimensions in the epigenetic era: A systematic review of the human research. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 125:654-666. [PMID: 33727029 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, an increasing number of studies documented potential links between parental care and epigenetic mechanisms. The present systematic review focuses on the potential association and interrelationship between attachment-related dimensions and DNA methylation in human studies. We performed a literature review using electronic databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and EBSCOhost. Thirteen papers were included in the review. Findings support significant associations between attachment-related dimensions and epigenetic status in studies which considered different populations, age ranges, attachment measures and peripheral tissues. Although research in this area is still under investigation, available results suggest that DNA methylation associated with attachment-related dimensions might affect the development of stress regulation system and social-emotional capacities, thus contributing to the emerging phenotypic outcomes. However, identifying mediator and moderator effects in the interrelationship between these parameters was problematic owing to heterogeneous methodologies. Finally, we discuss clinical implications, unanswered questions, and future directions for human development in epigenetics research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Craig
- Scientific Institute, IRCCS E. Medea, Unit for Severe Disabilities in Developmental Age and Young Adults, Brindisi, Italy
| | - Flaviana Tenuta
- Department of Culture, Education and Society, University of Calabria, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Veronica Rizzato
- Scientific Institute, IRCCS E. Medea, Unit for Severe Disabilities in Developmental Age and Young Adults, Brindisi, Italy
| | - Angela Costabile
- Department of Culture, Education and Society, University of Calabria, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Antonio Trabacca
- Scientific Institute, IRCCS E. Medea, Unit for Severe Disabilities in Developmental Age and Young Adults, Brindisi, Italy.
| | - Rosario Montirosso
- Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, 0-3 Center for the at-Risk Infant, Bosisio Parini, Italy
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Parade SH, Huffhines L, Daniels TE, Stroud LR, Nugent NR, Tyrka AR. A systematic review of childhood maltreatment and DNA methylation: candidate gene and epigenome-wide approaches. Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:134. [PMID: 33608499 PMCID: PMC7896059 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-021-01207-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2019] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Childhood maltreatment is a major risk factor for chronic and severe mental and physical health problems across the lifespan. Increasing evidence supports the hypothesis that maltreatment is associated with epigenetic changes that may subsequently serve as mechanisms of disease. The current review uses a systematic approach to identify and summarize the literature related to childhood maltreatment and alterations in DNA methylation in humans. A total of 100 empirical articles were identified in our systematic review of research published prior to or during March 2020, including studies that focused on candidate genes and studies that leveraged epigenome-wide data in both children and adults. Themes arising from the literature, including consistent and inconsistent patterns of results, are presented. Several directions for future research, including important methodological considerations for future study design, are discussed. Taken together, the literature on childhood maltreatment and DNA methylation underscores the complexity of transactions between the environment and biology across development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie H Parade
- Initiative on Stress, Trauma, and Resilience, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.
- Bradley/Hasbro Children's Research Center, E. P. Bradley Hospital, East Providence, RI, USA.
| | - Lindsay Huffhines
- Initiative on Stress, Trauma, and Resilience, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
- Bradley/Hasbro Children's Research Center, E. P. Bradley Hospital, East Providence, RI, USA
| | - Teresa E Daniels
- Initiative on Stress, Trauma, and Resilience, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
- Laboratory for Clinical and Translational Neuroscience, Butler Hospital, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Laura R Stroud
- Initiative on Stress, Trauma, and Resilience, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
- Center for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, The Miriam Hospital, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Nicole R Nugent
- Initiative on Stress, Trauma, and Resilience, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Audrey R Tyrka
- Initiative on Stress, Trauma, and Resilience, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
- Laboratory for Clinical and Translational Neuroscience, Butler Hospital, Providence, RI, USA
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Wiegand A, Kreifelts B, Munk MHJ, Geiselhart N, Ramadori KE, MacIsaac JL, Fallgatter AJ, Kobor MS, Nieratschker V. DNA methylation differences associated with social anxiety disorder and early life adversity. Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:104. [PMID: 33542190 PMCID: PMC7862482 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-021-01225-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is a psychiatric disorder characterized by extensive fear in social situations. Multiple genetic and environmental factors are known to contribute to its pathogenesis. One of the main environmental risk factors is early life adversity (ELA). Evidence is emerging that epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation might play an important role in the biological mechanisms underlying SAD and ELA. To investigate the relationship between ELA, DNA methylation, and SAD, we performed an epigenome-wide association study for SAD and ELA examining DNA from whole blood of a cohort of 143 individuals using DNA methylation arrays. We identified two differentially methylated regions (DMRs) associated with SAD located within the genes SLC43A2 and TNXB. As this was the first epigenome-wide association study for SAD, it is worth noting that both genes have previously been associated with panic disorder. Further, we identified two DMRs associated with ELA within the SLC17A3 promoter region and the SIAH3 gene and several DMRs that were associated with the interaction of SAD and ELA. Of these, the regions within C2CD2L and MRPL28 showed the largest difference in DNA methylation. Lastly, we found that two DMRs were associated with both the severity of social anxiety and ELA, however, neither of them was found to mediate the contribution of ELA to SAD later in life. Future studies are needed to replicate our findings in independent cohorts and to investigate the biological pathways underlying these effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariane Wiegand
- grid.10392.390000 0001 2190 1447Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany ,grid.10392.390000 0001 2190 1447Graduate Training Centre of Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Benjamin Kreifelts
- grid.10392.390000 0001 2190 1447Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Matthias H. J. Munk
- grid.10392.390000 0001 2190 1447Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany ,grid.6546.10000 0001 0940 1669Department of Biology, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Nadja Geiselhart
- grid.10392.390000 0001 2190 1447Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Katia E. Ramadori
- grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, V5Z 4H4 BC Canada
| | - Julia L. MacIsaac
- grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, V5Z 4H4 BC Canada
| | - Andreas J. Fallgatter
- grid.10392.390000 0001 2190 1447Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Michael S. Kobor
- grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, V5Z 4H4 BC Canada
| | - Vanessa Nieratschker
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany. .,Werner Reichardt Centre for Integrative Neuroscience, Tübingen, Germany.
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37
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Casavant SG, Li H, Cong X, Starkweather A, Moore J, Rosenkrantz TS, Fitch RH. Behavioral and neuroanatomical outcomes following altered serotonin expression in a hypoxic-ischemic injury neonate rodent model. J Neonatal Perinatal Med 2021; 14:353-360. [PMID: 33164949 DOI: 10.3233/npm-200418] [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] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Children born prematurely (<37 gestational weeks) are at risk for a variety of adverse medical events. They may experience ischemic and/or hemorrhagic events leading to negative neural sequelae. They are also exposed to repeated stressful experiences as part of life-saving care within the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). These experiences have been associated with methylation of SLC6A4, a gene which codes for serotonin transport proteins, and is associated with anxiety, depression, and increased incidence of autism spectrum disorders.The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of altered serotonin levels on behavioral and neuroanatomical outcomes in a neonatal rodent model with or without exposure to hypoxic-ischemic (HI) injury. METHODS Wistar rat pups were randomly assigned to either HI injury or sham groups. Pups within each group were treated with a chronic SSRI (Citalopram HBr) to simulate the effects of SLC6A4 methylation, or saline (NS). Subjects were assessed on behavioral tasks and neuropathologic indices. RESULTS HI injured subjects performed poorly on behavioral tasks. SSRI subjects did not display significantly greater anxiety. HI + SSRI subjects learned faster than HI+NS. Histologically, SSRI subjects had predominantly larger brain volumes than NS. CONCLUSION SSRI treated subjects without injury showed patterns of increased anxiety, consistent with theories of SLC6A4 methylation. The paradoxical trend to improved cognition in HI+SSRI subjects relative to HI alone, may reflect an unexpected SSRI neuroprotective effect in the presence of injury, and may be related to serotonin-induced neurogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- S G Casavant
- University of Connecticut, School of Nursing, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - H Li
- University of Connecticut, Department of Statistics, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - X Cong
- University of Connecticut, School of Nursing, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - A Starkweather
- University of Connecticut, School of Nursing, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - J Moore
- University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
- Connecticut Children's Medical Center, Hartford, CT, USA
| | - T S Rosenkrantz
- University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
- Connecticut Children's Medical Center, Hartford, CT, USA
| | - R H Fitch
- University of Connecticut, Department of Psychological Sciences, Storrs, CT, USA
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Provenzi L, Grumi S, Giorda R, Biasucci G, Bonini R, Cavallini A, Decembrino L, Drera B, Falcone R, Fazzi E, Gardella B, Giacchero R, Nacinovich R, Pisoni C, Prefumo F, Scelsa B, Spartà MV, Veggiotti P, Orcesi S, Borgatti R. Measuring the Outcomes of Maternal COVID-19-related Prenatal Exposure (MOM-COPE): study protocol for a multicentric longitudinal project. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e044585. [PMID: 33384402 PMCID: PMC7780424 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-044585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION COVID-19 is a highly infectious respiratory disease that rapidly emerged as an unprecedented epidemic in Europe, with a primary hotspot in Northern Italy during the first months of 2020. Its high infection rate and rapid spread contribute to set the risk for relevant psychological stress in citizens. In this context, mother-infant health is at risk not only because of potential direct exposure to the virus but also due to high levels of stress experienced by mothers from conception to delivery. Prenatal stress exposure associates with less-than-optimal child developmental outcomes, and specific epigenetic mechanisms (eg, DNA methylation) may play a critical role in mediating this programming association. METHODS AND ANALYSIS We present the methodological protocol for a longitudinal, multicentric study on the behavioural and epigenetic effects of COVID-19-related prenatal stress in a cohort of mother-infant dyads in Northern Italy. The dyads will be enrolled at 10 facilities in Northern Italy. Saliva samples will be collected at birth to assess the methylation status of specific genes linked with stress regulation in mothers and newborns. Mothers will provide retrospective data on COVID-19-related stress during pregnancy. At 3, 6 and 12 months, mothers will provide data on child behavioural and socioemotional outcomes, their own psychological status (stress, depressive and anxious symptoms) and coping strategies. At 12 months, infants and mothers will be videotaped during semistructured interaction to assess maternal sensitivity and infant's relational functioning. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This study was approved by the Ethics Committee (Pavia). Results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at national and international scientific conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT04540029; Pre-results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Livio Provenzi
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Serena Grumi
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Roberto Giorda
- Biology Lab, Scientific Institute, IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisi Parini, Italy
| | - Giacomo Biasucci
- Pediatrics & Neonatology Unit, Guglielmo da Saliceto Hospital, Piacenza, Italy
| | - Renza Bonini
- Pediatrics & Neonatology Unit, Guglielmo da Saliceto Hospital, Piacenza, Italy
| | - Anna Cavallini
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy
| | - Lidia Decembrino
- Pediatric Unit and Neonatal Unit, Ospedale Civile di Vigevano, ASST di Pavia, Vigevano, Italy
| | - Bruno Drera
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Azienda Istituti Ospitalieri di Cremona, Cremona, Italy
| | - Rossana Falcone
- Pediatric Unit and Neonatal Unit, Ospedale Civile di Vigevano, ASST di Pavia, Vigevano, Italy
| | - Elisa Fazzi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
- Unit of Child and Adolescence Neuropsychiatry, Azienda Ospedaliera Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Barbara Gardella
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IRCCS Foundation Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | | | - Renata Nacinovich
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy
- School of Medicine and Surgery and Milan Center for Neuroscience, University of Milano Bicocca, Milano, Italy
| | - Camilla Pisoni
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, IRCCS Foundation Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Federico Prefumo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Barbara Scelsa
- Unit of Pediatric Neurology, Buzzi Children's Hospital, Milano, Italy
| | | | - Pierangelo Veggiotti
- Unit of Pediatric Neurology, Buzzi Children's Hospital, Milano, Italy
- Biomedical and Clinical Science Department, University of Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Simona Orcesi
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Renato Borgatti
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
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Hucklenbruch-Rother E, Vohlen C, Mehdiani N, Keller T, Roth B, Kribs A, Mehler K. Delivery room skin-to-skin contact in preterm infants affects long-term expression of stress response genes. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2020; 122:104883. [PMID: 33027708 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2020.104883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Premature birth is a traumatic event that puts mother and child at risk for subsequent psychopathology. Skin-to-skin contact in the form of intermittent kangaroo mother care has been shown to positively affect the infant's stress response and cognitive development, but underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Moreover, first skin-to-skin contact is usually delayed for days after birth. In the delivery room skin-to-skin study (DR-SSC), a prospective randomized controlled trial conducted from 2/2012 to 7/2015, we set out to assess the effect of delivery room skin-to-skin contact on the infant's mRNA expression of six key molecules involved in stress response and neurobehavioral development at hospital discharge. 88 firstborn, singleton preterm infants (born at 25-32 weeks of gestational age) were included. In the delivery room after initial stabilization, infants were randomized to either 60 min of skin-to-skin or 5 min of visual contact with their mother. In this explorative add-on study on the original DR-SSC study, we determined the expression of six important stress response genes (CRHR1 and CRHR2, AVP, NR3C1, HTR2A, and SLC6A4) in peripheral white blood cells of infants during routine blood sampling upon hospital discharge (corrected gestational age of 40 weeks). Infants were followed up to six months corrected age. Relative mRNA expression of the corticotropin releasing hormone receptor 2 (CRH R2), the glucocorticoid receptor gene (NR3C1), and the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) was significantly reduced in the delivery room SSC infants. Additionally, gene expression of CRH R2 showed a correlation with HPA axis reactivity and parameters of mother-child interaction at six months corrected age. Our results highlight the importance of delivery room mother-child skin-to-skin contact and underline the urgent need for in-depth studies on the underlying molecular mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Hucklenbruch-Rother
- Metabolism and Perinatal Programming, Children's Hospital, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
| | - Christina Vohlen
- Metabolism and Perinatal Programming, Children's Hospital, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Nava Mehdiani
- Division of Neonatology, Children's Hospital, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Titus Keller
- Division of Neonatology, Children's Hospital, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Bernhard Roth
- Division of Neonatology, Children's Hospital, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Angela Kribs
- Division of Neonatology, Children's Hospital, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Katrin Mehler
- Division of Neonatology, Children's Hospital, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
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40
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DeLano K, Folger AT, Ding L, Ji H, Yolton K, Ammerman RT, Van Ginkel JB, Bowers KA. Associations Between Maternal Community Deprivation and Infant DNA Methylation of the SLC6A4 Gene. Front Public Health 2020; 8:557195. [PMID: 33330307 PMCID: PMC7728724 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2020.557195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Poverty is negatively associated with health and developmental outcomes. DNA methylation (DNAm) has been proposed as a mechanism that underlies the association between adversity experienced by mothers in poverty and health and developmental outcomes in their offspring. Previous studies have identified associations between individual-level measures of stress and adversity experienced by a mother during pregnancy and infant DNAm. We hypothesized that independent of individual stresses, a mother's community-level deprivation while she is pregnant may also be associated with DNAm among the genes of her offspring that are related to stress response and/or development. Methods: Pregnant mothers (N = 53) completed assessments that measured stress, adversity, and mental health. To evaluate community-level deprivation, mothers' addresses were linked to census-level socioeconomic measures including a composite index of deprivation that combines multiple community-level indicators such as income and highest level of education received. Infant buccal cells were collected at about age 4 weeks to measure DNAm of candidate genes including NR3C1, SCG5, and SLC6A4, which are associated with the stress response and or social and emotional development. Multivariable models were employed to evaluate the association between maternal community deprivation and infant DNAm of candidate genes. Results: No significant associations were identified between maternal community-level deprivation and the methylation of NR3C1 or SCG5, however, maternal community-level deprivation was significantly associated with higher mean methylation across 8 CpG sites in SLC6A4. Conclusion: This study identified an association between community-level measures of deprivation experienced by a mother during pregnancy and DNAm in their offspring. These findings may have implications for understanding how the community context can impact early biology and potential function in the next generation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly DeLano
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Xavier University, Department of Mathematics, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Alonzo T. Folger
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Every Child Succeeds, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Lili Ding
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Hong Ji
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Kimberly Yolton
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Robert T. Ammerman
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Every Child Succeeds, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Judith B. Van Ginkel
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Every Child Succeeds, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Katherine A. Bowers
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
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41
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Prenatal stress and epigenetics. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 117:198-210. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2016] [Revised: 05/15/2017] [Accepted: 05/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Wood NM, Trebilco T, Cohen-Woods S. Scars of childhood socioeconomic stress: A systematic review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 118:397-410. [PMID: 32795493 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Revised: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Childhood socioeconomic position (SEP) is associated with the development of adult psychological outcomes, with DNA methylation (DNAm) as a mechanism to potentially explain these changes. We present the first systematic review synthesising the literature investigating childhood SEP and DNAm. Thirty-two publications were included. Seventeen studies focused on candidate genes, typically focusing on genes implicated with the stress response and/or development of psychiatric conditions. These studies typically investigated different regions of the genes, which revealed inconsistent results. Six studies calculated epigenetic age, with a small number revealing an elevated significant association with childhood SEP. Epigenome-wide studies revealed altered patterns of DNAm which varied between the nine studies. This research area is emerging and demonstrated great variance in findings with no clear patterns identified across studies. Multiple methodological shortcomings are identified, including at the phenotypic level where construct validity of childhood SEP is highly inconsistent, with studies using a wide range of measures. Larger cohorts will be required with international collaborations to strengthen this research area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha M Wood
- Discipline of Psychology, College of Education, Psychology, and Social Work, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Thomas Trebilco
- Discipline of Psychology, College of Education, Psychology, and Social Work, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Sarah Cohen-Woods
- Discipline of Psychology, College of Education, Psychology, and Social Work, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia; Órama Institute, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia; Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
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43
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Montirosso R, Rosa E, Giorda R, Fazzi E, Orcesi S, Cavallini A, Provenzi L. Early Parenting Intervention - Biobehavioral Outcomes in infants with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (EPI-BOND): study protocol for an Italian multicentre randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e035249. [PMID: 32699128 PMCID: PMC7375429 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-035249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Neurodevelopmental disability (ND) represents an adverse condition for infants' socio-emotional and behavioural development as well as for caregiving (eg, parental sensitivity) and mother-infant interaction. Adverse exposures are associated with altered neuroendocrine hormones concentrations (eg, oxytocin and cortisol) and epigenetic regulation (eg, methylation of stress-related genes), which in turn may contribute to less-than-optimal mother-infant interaction. Parental sensitivity is a protective factor for childrens' development and early parental interventions (eg, video-feedback intervention) can promote parental caregiving and better developmental outcomes in children. The present multi-centric and longitudinal randomised controlled trial aims to assess if and to which extent early VFI could benefit both infants and mothers in terms of behavioural outcomes as well as neuroendocrine and epigenetic regulation. METHODS AND ANALYSIS Dyads will be randomly assigned to the video-feedback Intervention Group or Control Group ('dummy' intervention: telephone calls). Infants with ND aged 3 to 18 months will be recruited from three major child neuropsychiatric units in northern Italy. A multi-layer approach to intervention effects will include videotapes of mother-infant interaction, maternal reports as well as saliva samples for hormones concentrations and target-gene methylation analysis (eg, BDNF, NR3C1, OXTR and SCL6A4) that will be obtained at each of the four assessment sessions: T0, baseline; T1, post-intervention; T2, short-term follow-up (3 month); T3, long-term follow-up (6 month). Primary effectiveness measures will be infant socio-emotional behaviour and maternal sensitivity. Neuroendocrine hormones concentrations and DNA methylation status of target genes will be secondary outcomes. Feasibility, moderation and confounding variables will be measured and controlled between the two groups. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Ethics approval has been obtained in all three participating units. Results of the main trial and each of the secondary endpoints will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals and international conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT03853564; Pre-results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosario Montirosso
- 0-3 Center for the at-Risk Infant, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
| | - Elisa Rosa
- 0-3 Center for the at-Risk Infant, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
| | - Roberto Giorda
- Biology Lab, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
| | - Elisa Fazzi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
- Unit of Child and Adolescence Neuropsychiatry, ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
| | - Simona Orcesi
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
- Department of Brain and Behavioural Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Anna Cavallini
- Neuropsychiatry and Neurorehabilitation Unit, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
| | - Livio Provenzi
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
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Stoffel M, Aguilar-Raab C, Rahn S, Steinhilber B, Witt SH, Alexander N, Ditzen B. Effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Prevention on Serotonin Transporter Gene Methylation. PSYCHOTHERAPY AND PSYCHOSOMATICS 2020; 88:317-319. [PMID: 31461722 DOI: 10.1159/000501646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 06/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Martin Stoffel
- Institute of Medical Psychology, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University Hospital, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Corina Aguilar-Raab
- Institute of Medical Psychology, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University Hospital, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stefanie Rahn
- Institute of Medical Psychology, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University Hospital, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Barbara Steinhilber
- Institute of Medical Psychology, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University Hospital, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stephanie H Witt
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Nina Alexander
- Differential and Personality Psychology, MSH Medical School Hamburg, University of Applied Sciences and Medical University, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Beate Ditzen
- Institute of Medical Psychology, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University Hospital, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany,
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Abstract
Early life adversity is associated with long-term effects on physical and mental
health later in life, but the mechanisms are yet unclear. Epigenetic mechanisms program
cell-type-specific gene expression during development, enabling one genome to be
programmed in many ways, resulting in diverse stable profiles of gene expression in
different cells and organs in the body. DNA methylation, an enzymatic covalent
modification of DNA, has been one of the principal epigenetic mechanisms investigated.
Emerging evidence is consistent with the idea that epigenetic processes are involved in
embedding the impact of early-life experience in the genome and mediating between social
environments and later behavioral phenotypes. Whereas there is evidence supporting this
hypothesis in animal studies, human studies have been less conclusive. A major problem
is the fact that the brain is inaccessible to epigenetic studies in humans and the
relevance of DNA methylation in peripheral tissues to behavioral phenotypes has been
questioned. In addition, human studies are usually confounded with genetic and
environmental heterogeneity and it is very difficult to derive causality. The idea that
epigenetic mechanisms mediate the life-long effects of perinatal adversity has
attractive potential implications for early detection, prevention, and intervention in
mental health disorders will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moshe Szyf
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
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46
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Provenzi L, Fumagalli M, Scotto di Minico G, Giorda R, Morandi F, Sirgiovanni I, Schiavolin P, Mosca F, Borgatti R, Montirosso R. Pain-related increase in serotonin transporter gene methylation associates with emotional regulation in 4.5-year-old preterm-born children. Acta Paediatr 2020; 109:1166-1174. [PMID: 31670854 DOI: 10.1111/apa.15077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2019] [Revised: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
AIM The main goal of this study was to assess the association between pain-related increase in serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) methylation and emotional dysregulation in 4.5-year-old preterm children compared with full-term matched counterparts. METHODS Preterm (n = 29) and full-term (n = 26) children recruited from two Italian hospitals were followed-up from October 2011 to December 2017. SLC6A4 methylation was assessed from cord blood at birth from both groups and peripheral blood at discharge for preterm ones. At 4.5 years, emotional regulation (ie, anger, fear and sadness) was assessed through an observational standardised procedure. RESULTS Preterm children (18 females; mean age = 4.5, range = 4.3-4.8) showed greater anger display compared with full-term controls (14 females; mean age = 4.5, range = 4.4-4.9) in response to emotional stress. Controlling for adverse life events occurrence from discharge to 4.5 years and SLC6A4 methylation at birth, CpG-specific SLC6A4 methylation in the neonatal period was predictive of greater anger display in preterm children but not in full-term ones. CONCLUSION These findings contribute to highlight how epigenetic regulation of serotonin transporter gene in response to NICU pain exposure contributes to long-lasting programming of anger regulation in preterm children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Livio Provenzi
- Scientific Institute IRCCS E. Medea Bosisio Parini Lecco Italy
| | - Monica Fumagalli
- Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico Milan Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health University of Milan Milan Italy
| | | | - Roberto Giorda
- Scientific Institute IRCCS E. MedeaMolecular Biology Lab Bosisio Parini Lecco Italy
| | | | - Ida Sirgiovanni
- Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico Milan Italy
| | - Paola Schiavolin
- Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico Milan Italy
| | - Fabio Mosca
- Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico Milan Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health University of Milan Milan Italy
| | - Renato Borgatti
- Scientific Institute IRCCS E. MedeaNeuropsychiatry and Neurorehabilitation Unit Bosisio Parini Lecco Italy
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Janiri D, Kotzalidis GD, De Chiara L, Koukopoulos AE, Aas M, Sani G. The Ring of Fire: Childhood Trauma, Emotional Reactivity, and Mixed States in Mood Disorders. Psychiatr Clin North Am 2020; 43:69-82. [PMID: 32008689 DOI: 10.1016/j.psc.2019.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Childhood trauma (CT) is strongly associated with bipolar disorder, possibly through emotional hyperreactivity (EH). Mixed symptoms/states (MSs) are associated with increased illness severity. The authors tested through a systematic review the association between CT and MSs. The authors systematically looked for studies exploring associations between MSs and CT, CT and EH, and EH and MSs. Most literature agrees that MSs are associated with CT; the latter was found to be associated to EH, which is in turn associated with MSs. The literature supports an association between CT and later development of MSs, possibly mediated through EH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delfina Janiri
- Sapienza School of Medicine and Psychology, Sant'Andrea University Hospital, UOC Psichiatria, Via di Grottarossa, 1035-1039, Rome 00189, Italy; ICAHN School of Medicine and Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Centro Lucio Bini, Via Crescenzio 42, Rome 00193, Italy
| | - Georgios D Kotzalidis
- Centro Lucio Bini, Via Crescenzio 42, Rome 00193, Italy; School of Medicine and Psychology, NESMOS Department (Neuroscience, Mental Health and Sensory Organs) Sapienza University, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Via di Grottarossa 1035-1038, Rome 00189, Italy.
| | - Lavinia De Chiara
- Centro Lucio Bini, Via Crescenzio 42, Rome 00193, Italy; School of Medicine and Psychology, NESMOS Department (Neuroscience, Mental Health and Sensory Organs) Sapienza University, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Via di Grottarossa 1035-1038, Rome 00189, Italy
| | - Alexia Emilia Koukopoulos
- Centro Lucio Bini, Via Crescenzio 42, Rome 00193, Italy; Department of Human Neurosciences, University of Rome "Sapienza", Viale dell'Università 30, Roma 00185, Italy
| | - Monica Aas
- NORMENT K.G Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo University Hospital, Bygg 49, Ullevål Sykehus, PO Box 4956, Nydalen, Oslo 0424, Norway
| | - Gabriele Sani
- Institute of Psychiatry, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy; Department of Psychiatry, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "Agostino Gemelli" IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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Cecil CAM, Zhang Y, Nolte T. Childhood maltreatment and DNA methylation: A systematic review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 112:392-409. [PMID: 32081689 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.02.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Revised: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
DNA methylation (DNAm) - an epigenetic process that regulates gene expression - may represent a mechanism for the biological embedding of early traumatic experiences, including childhood maltreatment. Here, we conducted the first systematic review of human studies linking childhood maltreatment to DNAm. In total, 72 studies were included in the review (2008-2018). The majority of extant studies (i) were based on retrospective data in adults, (ii) employed a candidate gene approach (iii) focused on global maltreatment, (iv) were based on easily accessible peripheral tissues, typically blood; and (v) were cross-sectional. Two-thirds of studies (n = 48) also examined maltreatment-related outcomes, such as stress reactivity and psychiatric symptoms. While findings generally support an association between childhood maltreatment and altered patterns of DNAm, factors such as the lack of longitudinal data, low comparability across studies as well as potential genetic and 'pre-exposure' environmental confounding currently limit the conclusions that can be drawn. Key challenges are discussed and concrete recommendations for future research are provided to move the field forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte A M Cecil
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Yuning Zhang
- Centre for Innovation in Mental Health, University of Southampton; State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Tobias Nolte
- The Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, University College London, London, United Kingdom; Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families, London, United Kingdom
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49
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Provenzi L, Montirosso R, Tronick E. Editorial: Risk and Protective Factors Associated With Early Adversity and Development: Evidence From Human and Animal Research. Front Psychol 2020; 10:2906. [PMID: 31969854 PMCID: PMC6960397 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Livio Provenzi
- 0-3 Center for the at-Risk Infant, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. Medea, Lecco, Italy
| | - Rosario Montirosso
- 0-3 Center for the at-Risk Infant, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. Medea, Lecco, Italy
| | - Ed Tronick
- Developmental and Brain Sciences Program, Department of Psychology, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Newborn Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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50
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Stress During Pregnancy and Epigenetic Modifications to Offspring DNA: A Systematic Review of Associations and Implications for Preterm Birth. J Perinat Neonatal Nurs 2020; 34:134-145. [PMID: 32332443 PMCID: PMC7185032 DOI: 10.1097/jpn.0000000000000471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Offspring born preterm (ie, before 37 weeks of gestation) are more likely to die or experience long-standing illness than full-term offspring. Maternal genetic variants (ie, heritable, stable variations in the genetic code) and epigenetic modifications (ie, chemical modifications to the genetic code that can affect which genes are turned on or off) in response to stress have been implicated in preterm birth. Fetal genetic variants have been linked to preterm birth though the role of offspring epigenetics in preterm birth remains understudied. This systematic review synthesizes the literature examining associations among stress during pregnancy and epigenetic modifications to offspring DNA, with 25 reports identified. Ten reports examined DNA methylation (ie, addition/removal of methyl groups to/from DNA) across the epigenome. The remainder examined DNA methylation near genes of interest, primarily genes linked to hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function (NR3C1, FKBP51), growth/immune function (IGF2), and socioemotional regulation (SLC6A4, OXTR). The majority of reports noted associations among stress and offspring DNA methylation, primarily when perceived stress, anxiety, or depression served as the predictor. Findings suggest that differences in offspring epigenetic patterns may play a role in stress-associated preterm birth and serve as targets for novel interventions.
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