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Vrshek-Schallhorn S, Corneau GM, Grillo AR, Sapuram VR, Plieger T, Reuter M. Additive serotonergic genetic sensitivity and cortisol reactivity to lab-based social evaluative stress: Influence of severity across two samples. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2022; 142:105767. [PMID: 35525123 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2022.105767] [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: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Prior work demonstrates that an additive serotonergic multilocus genetic profile score (MGPS) predicts amplified risk for depression following significant life stress, and that it interacts with elevations in the cortisol awakening response to predict depression. The serotonin system and HPA-axis have bidirectional influence, but whether this MGPS predicts acute cortisol reactivity, which might then serve as a mechanism for depression, is unknown. Our prior work suggests that depression risk factors predict blunted cortisol reactivity to explicit negative evaluative lab-based stress. Thus, we hypothesized that a 4-variant serotonergic MGPS (three SNPs from the original 5-variant version plus 5HTTLPR) would predict blunted cortisol reactivity to explicit negative evaluative stress versus a control. In Sample 1, growth curve modeling showed that the MGPS predicted heightened cortisol reactivity (p = 0.0001) in an explicitly negative evaluative Trier Social Stress Test variant (TSST) versus a control condition among non-depressed emerging adults (N = 152; 57% female). In Sample 2, 125 males completed the Socially Evaluative Cold Pressor Test (SECPT), an ambiguously negative evaluative manipulation; findings displayed a similar pattern but did not reach statistical significance (ps.075-.091). A participant-level meta-analysis of the two samples demonstrated a significant effect of negative evaluation severity, such that the MGPS effect size on reactivity increased linearly from control to SECPT to an explicitly negative evaluative TSST. Findings indicate that this MGPS contributes to sensitivity to social threat and that cortisol dysregulation in the context of social stress may be one mechanism by which this MGPS contributes to depression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gail M Corneau
- Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, USA
| | | | - Vaibhav R Sapuram
- Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, USA
| | - Thomas Plieger
- Department of Psychology and Center for Economics & Neuroscience, Bonn University, Germany
| | - Martin Reuter
- Department of Psychology and Center for Economics & Neuroscience, Bonn University, Germany
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2
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de Jong TV, Kim P, Guryev V, Mulligan MK, Williams RW, Redei EE, Chen H. Whole genome sequencing of nearly isogenic WMI and WLI inbred rats identifies genes potentially involved in depression and stress reactivity. Sci Rep 2021; 11:14774. [PMID: 34285244 PMCID: PMC8292482 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-92993-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The WMI and WLI inbred rats were generated from the stress-prone, and not yet fully inbred, Wistar Kyoto (WKY) strain. These were selected using bi-directional selection for immobility in the forced swim test and were then sib-mated for over 38 generations. Despite the low level of genetic diversity among WKY progenitors, the WMI substrain is significantly more vulnerable to stress relative to the counter-selected WLI strain. Here we quantify numbers and classes of genomic sequence variants distinguishing these substrains with the long term goal of uncovering functional and behavioral polymorphism that modulate sensitivity to stress and depression-like phenotypes. DNA from WLI and WMI was sequenced using Illumina xTen, IonTorrent, and 10X Chromium linked-read platforms to obtain a combined coverage of ~ 100X for each strain. We identified 4,296 high quality homozygous SNPs and indels between the WMI and WLI. We detected high impact variants in genes previously implicated in depression (e.g. Gnat2), depression-like behavior (e.g. Prlr, Nlrp1a), other psychiatric disease (e.g. Pou6f2, Kdm5a, Reep3, Wdfy3), and responses to psychological stressors (e.g. Pigr). High coverage sequencing data confirm that the two substrains are nearly coisogenic. Nonetheless, the small number of sequence variants contributes to numerous well characterized differences including depression-like behavior, stress reactivity, and addiction related phenotypes. These selected substrains are an ideal resource for forward and reverse genetic studies using a reduced complexity cross.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Panjun Kim
- University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Victor Guryev
- European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Eva E Redei
- Northwestern University - Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Hao Chen
- University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA.
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3
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Herzog DP, Pascual Cuadrado D, Treccani G, Jene T, Opitz V, Hasch A, Lutz B, Lieb K, Sillaber I, van der Kooij MA, Tiwari VK, Müller MB. A distinct transcriptional signature of antidepressant response in hippocampal dentate gyrus granule cells. Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:4. [PMID: 33414410 PMCID: PMC7791134 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-020-01136-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Major depressive disorder is the most prevalent mental illness worldwide, still its pharmacological treatment is limited by various challenges, such as the large heterogeneity in treatment response and the lack of insight into the neurobiological pathways underlying this phenomenon. To decode the molecular mechanisms shaping antidepressant response and to distinguish those from general paroxetine effects, we used a previously established approach targeting extremes (i.e., good vs poor responder mice). We focused on the dentate gyrus (DG), a subregion of major interest in the context of antidepressant mechanisms. Transcriptome profiling on micro-dissected DG granule cells was performed to (i) reveal cell-type-specific changes in paroxetine-induced gene expression (paroxetine vs vehicle) and (ii) to identify molecular signatures of treatment response within a cohort of paroxetine-treated animals. We identified 112 differentially expressed genes associated with paroxetine treatment. The extreme group comparison (good vs poor responder) yielded 211 differentially expressed genes. General paroxetine effects could be distinguished from treatment response-associated molecular signatures, with a differential gene expression overlap of only 4.6% (15 genes). Biological pathway enrichment and cluster analyses identified candidate mechanisms associated with good treatment response, e.g., neuropeptide signaling, synaptic transmission, calcium signaling, and regulation of glucocorticoid secretion. Finally, we examined glucocorticoid receptor (GR)-dependent regulation of selected response-associated genes to analyze a hypothesized interplay between GR signaling and good antidepressant treatment response. Among the most promising candidates, we suggest potential targets such as the developmental gene Otx2 or Htr2c for further investigations into antidepressant treatment response in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- David P. Herzog
- grid.410607.4Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Johannes Gutenberg University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany ,grid.410607.4Focus Program Translational Neurosciences, Johannes Gutenberg University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Diego Pascual Cuadrado
- grid.410607.4Institute of Physiological Chemistry, Johannes Gutenberg University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Giulia Treccani
- grid.410607.4Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Johannes Gutenberg University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany ,grid.410607.4Institute of Microscopic Anatomy and Neurobiology, Johannes Gutenberg University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Tanja Jene
- grid.410607.4Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Johannes Gutenberg University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany ,grid.410607.4Focus Program Translational Neurosciences, Johannes Gutenberg University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Verena Opitz
- grid.410607.4Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Johannes Gutenberg University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Annika Hasch
- grid.410607.4Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Johannes Gutenberg University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Beat Lutz
- grid.410607.4Focus Program Translational Neurosciences, Johannes Gutenberg University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany ,grid.410607.4Institute of Physiological Chemistry, Johannes Gutenberg University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Klaus Lieb
- grid.410607.4Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Johannes Gutenberg University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany ,grid.410607.4Focus Program Translational Neurosciences, Johannes Gutenberg University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | | | - Michael A. van der Kooij
- grid.410607.4Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Johannes Gutenberg University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany ,grid.410607.4Focus Program Translational Neurosciences, Johannes Gutenberg University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Vijay K. Tiwari
- grid.5802.f0000 0001 1941 7111Institute of Molecular Biology, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany ,grid.4777.30000 0004 0374 7521Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry & Biomedical Science, Queens University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Marianne B. Müller
- grid.410607.4Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Johannes Gutenberg University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany ,grid.410607.4Focus Program Translational Neurosciences, Johannes Gutenberg University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany
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4
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Pulopulos MM, Baeken C, De Raedt R. Cortisol response to stress: The role of expectancy and anticipatory stress regulation. Horm Behav 2020; 117:104587. [PMID: 31639385 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2019.104587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2018] [Revised: 09/02/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
An exacerbated physiological response to stress is associated with the development of stress-related disorders (e.g., depression and anxiety disorders). Recently, it has been proposed that individuals with high expectancies of being able to deal with stressful situations will activate regulatory mechanisms during the anticipation of the stressful event that would improve stress regulation. To test this hypothesis, 52 women in young adulthood (M = 21.06; SD = 2.58) anticipated and performed a laboratory-based stress task after receiving positive or negative bogus feedback on their abilities to deal with stressful events. Heart rate variability and salivary cortisol were assessed throughout the experimental protocol. Participants receiving positive bogus feedback (i.e., High Expectancy group) showed a more positive anticipatory cognitive stress appraisal (i.e., they anticipated the stress task as less threatening/challenging, and they perceived that they were more able to deal with it), and they showed a lower cortisol response to stress. Moreover, a more positive anticipatory cognitive stress appraisal was associated with better anticipatory stress regulation (indexed as less decrease in heart rate variability), leading to a lower cortisol response. Our results indicate that people with positive expectancy initiate mechanisms of anticipatory stress regulation that enhance the regulation of the physiological stress response. Expectancy and anticipatory stress regulation may be key mechanisms in the development and treatment of stress-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matias M Pulopulos
- Department of Experimental Clinical and Health Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Chris Baeken
- Department of Psychiatry and Medical Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Ghent Experimental Psychiatry (GHEP) Lab, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital (UZBrussel), Brussels, Belgium; Eindhoven University of Technology, Department of Electrical Engineering, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Rudi De Raedt
- Department of Experimental Clinical and Health Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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Lovallo WR, Cohoon AJ, Sorocco KH, Vincent AS, Acheson A, Hodgkinson CA, Goldman D. Early-Life Adversity and Blunted Stress Reactivity as Predictors of Alcohol and Drug use in Persons With COMT (rs4680) Val158Met Genotypes. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2019; 43:1519-1527. [PMID: 31150143 DOI: 10.1111/acer.14079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 05/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Risk for alcoholism may be enhanced by exposure to early-life adversity (ELA) in persons with genetic vulnerabilities. We examined ELA in the presence of a common variant of the gene for the enzyme catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT, Val158Met, rs4680) in relation to cortisol reactivity, the onset of early drinking, and experimentation with drugs. METHODS Saliva cortisol reactivity to speech and mental arithmetic stress was measured in 480 healthy young adults (23.5 years of age, 50% females) who experienced either 0, 1, or ≥ 2 forms of ELA during childhood and adolescence, provided information on use of alcohol and recreational drugs, and were genotyped for the Val158Met polymorphism. RESULTS ELA led to progressively smaller cortisol responses in the Met/Met and Val/Met allele groups but to progressively larger responses in Val homozygotes, F = 3.29, p = 0.011. ELA independently predicted earlier age at first drink, F = 14.2, p < 0.0001, with a larger effect in Met-allele carriers, F = 13.95, p < 0.00001, and a smaller effect in Val homozygotes, F = 4.14, p = 0.02. Similar effects were seen in recreational drug use. Cortisol reactivity was unrelated to drinking behavior or drug experimentation. CONCLUSIONS ELA leads to blunted stress reactivity and, independently, contributes to potentially risky drinking and drug-use behaviors in persons carrying 1 or 2 copies of the COMT 158Met allele. The results reinforce the impact of early experience on the stress axis and on risky behaviors, and they point to the 158Met allele as conveying a vulnerability to the early environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- William R Lovallo
- VA Medical Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Andrew J Cohoon
- VA Medical Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Kristen H Sorocco
- VA Medical Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.,Donald W. Reynolds Department of Geriatric Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Andrea S Vincent
- Cognitive Science Research Center, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma
| | - Ashley Acheson
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas
| | - Colin A Hodgkinson
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - David Goldman
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
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6
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Molenhuis RT, Bruining H, Brandt MJV, van Soldt PE, Abu-Toamih Atamni HJ, Burbach JPH, Iraqi FA, Mott RF, Kas MJH. Modeling the quantitative nature of neurodevelopmental disorders using Collaborative Cross mice. Mol Autism 2018; 9:63. [PMID: 30559955 PMCID: PMC6293525 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-018-0252-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2018] [Accepted: 11/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Animal models for neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) generally rely on a single genetic mutation on a fixed genetic background. Recent human genetic studies however indicate that a clinical diagnosis with ASDAutism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is almost always associated with multiple genetic fore- and background changes. The translational value of animal model studies would be greatly enhanced if genetic insults could be studied in a more quantitative framework across genetic backgrounds. Methods We used the Collaborative Cross (CC), a novel mouse genetic reference population, to investigate the quantitative genetic architecture of mouse behavioral phenotypes commonly used in animal models for NDD. Results Classical tests of social recognition and grooming phenotypes appeared insufficient for quantitative studies due to genetic dilution and limited heritability. In contrast, digging, locomotor activity, and stereotyped exploratory patterns were characterized by continuous distribution across our CC sample and also mapped to quantitative trait loci containing genes associated with corresponding phenotypes in human populations. Conclusions These findings show that the CC can move animal model studies beyond comparative single gene-single background designs, and point out which type of behavioral phenotypes are most suitable to quantify the effect of developmental etiologies across multiple genetic backgrounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Remco T. Molenhuis
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Universiteitsweg 100, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Hilgo Bruining
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Myrna J. V. Brandt
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Universiteitsweg 100, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Petra E. van Soldt
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Universiteitsweg 100, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Hanifa J. Abu-Toamih Atamni
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, 69978 Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - J. Peter H. Burbach
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Universiteitsweg 100, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Fuad A. Iraqi
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, 69978 Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Richard F. Mott
- Genetics Institute, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT UK
| | - Martien J. H. Kas
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
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Brummett BH, Babyak MA, Singh A, Hauser ER, Jiang R, Huffman KM, Kraus WE, Shah SH, Siegler IC, Williams RB. Lack of Association of a Functional Polymorphism in the Serotonin Receptor Gene With Body Mass Index and Depressive Symptoms in a Large Meta-Analysis of Population Based Studies. Front Genet 2018; 9:423. [PMID: 30333852 PMCID: PMC6175984 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2018.00423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2018] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The serotonin receptor 5-HTR2C is thought to be involved in the function of multiple brain structures. Consequently, the HTR2C gene has been studied extensively with respect to its association with a variety of phenotypes. One coding variant in the HTR2C gene, Cys23Ser (rs6318), has been associated with depressive symptoms. and adiposity; however, these findings have been inconsistent. The reasons for this mixed picture may be due to low statistical power or due to other factors such as failure to account for possible interacting environmental factors, such as psychosocial stress. Further, the literature around this polymorphism is marked by limited inclusion of persons of African ancestry. The present study sought to overcome these limitations and definitively determine the relationship of this polymorphism with depressive and obesity phenotypes in a large sample meta-analysis. Thus, we harmonized individual level data from 10 studies including the Women’s Health Initiative, CARDIA, ARIC, Framingham Offspring, and the Jackson Heart Study, resulting in a sample of 27,161 individuals (10,457 Black women, 2,819 Black men, 7,419 White women, and 6,466 White men). We conducted a random effects meta-analysis using individual level data to examine whether the Cys23Ser variant—either directly, or conditionally depending on the level of psychosocial stress—was associated with depressive symptoms and body mass index (BMI). We found that psychosocial stress was associated with both depression and BMI, but that Cys23Ser was not directly associated with, nor did it modify the associations of psychosocial stress with depression or BMI. Thus, in the largest study of this polymorphism, we have determined that rs6318 is not associated with depression, or BMI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beverly H Brummett
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Michael A Babyak
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Abanish Singh
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States.,Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Elizabeth R Hauser
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States.,Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States.,Cooperative Studies Program Epidemiology Center - Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Rong Jiang
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Kim M Huffman
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - William E Kraus
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States.,Division of Cardiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Svati H Shah
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States.,Division of Cardiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Ilene C Siegler
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Redford B Williams
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
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Nees F, Witt SH, Flor H. Neurogenetic Approaches to Stress and Fear in Humans as Pathophysiological Mechanisms for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Biol Psychiatry 2018; 83:810-820. [PMID: 29454655 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2017.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2017] [Revised: 12/19/2017] [Accepted: 12/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
In this review article, genetic variation associated with brain responses related to acute and chronic stress reactivity and fear learning in humans is presented as an important mechanism underlying posttraumatic stress disorder. We report that genes related to the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, as well as genes that modulate serotonergic, dopaminergic, and neuropeptidergic functions or plasticity, play a role in this context. The strong overlap of the genetic targets involved in stress and fear learning suggests that a dimensional and mechanistic model of the development of posttraumatic stress disorder based on these constructs is promising. Genome-wide genetic analyses on fear and stress mechanisms are scarce. So far, reliable replication is still lacking for most of the molecular genetic findings, and the proportion of explained variance is rather small. Further analysis of neurogenetic stress and fear learning needs to integrate data from animal and human studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frauke Nees
- Department of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Stephanie H Witt
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Herta Flor
- Department of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany; Department of Psychology, School of Social Sciences, University of Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany.
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9
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Song J, Su W, Chen X, Zhao Q, Zhang N, Li MG, Yang PC, Wang L. Micro RNA-98 suppresses interleukin-10 in peripheral B cells in patient post-cardio transplantation. Oncotarget 2018; 8:28237-28246. [PMID: 28415669 PMCID: PMC5438646 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.16000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2016] [Accepted: 02/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The immune tolerance to the transplant heart survival is critical. Regulatory B cells are one of the major immune regulatory cell populations in the immune tolerance. Micro RNAs (miR) can regulate the activities of immune cells, such as the expression of interleukin (IL)-10 by B cells. This study tests a hypothesis that micro RNA (miR)-98 plays a role in the regulation of interleukin (IL)-10 expression in B cells (B10 cell) after heart transplantation. In this study, the peripheral blood samples were collected from patients before and after heart transplantation. The expression of miR-98 and IL-10 in B cells was assessed by real time RT-PCR. An allograft heart transplantation mouse model was developed. We observed that after heart transplantation, the frequency of peripheral B10 cell and the IL-10 mRNA levels in peripheral B cells were significantly decreased, the levels of miR-98 were increased in peripheral B cells and the serum levels of cortisol were increased in the patients. Treating naive B cells with cortisol in the culture suppressed the expression of IL-10 in B cells, which was abolished by knocking down the miR-98 gene. Administration with anti-miR-98, or cortisol inhibitor, or adoptive transfer with B10 cells, significantly enhanced the survival rate and time of mice received allograft heart transplantation. In conclusion, the enhancement of serum cortisol affects the immune tolerant feature of B cells, which can be attenuated by anti-miR-98-carrying liposomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiangping Song
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100037, China
| | - Wenjun Su
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100037, China
| | - Xiao Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100037, China
| | - Qian Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100037, China
| | - Ningning Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100037, China
| | - Mao-Gang Li
- The Research Center of Allergy and Immunology, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Ping-Chang Yang
- The Research Center of Allergy and Immunology, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Liqing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100037, China
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10
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Joint Impact of Early Life Adversity and COMT Val158Met (rs4680) Genotypes on the Adult Cortisol Response to Psychological Stress. Psychosom Med 2017; 79:631-637. [PMID: 28452825 PMCID: PMC5489380 DOI: 10.1097/psy.0000000000000481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Exposure to stress during critical periods of development can diminish stress reactivity by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis. Genetic characteristics may further modify this effect of early adversity, leading to a gene by environment (G × E) interaction on stress reactivity in adulthood. Val-allele carriers of a common polymorphism of the COMT gene (Val158Met, rs4680) have rapid removal of catecholamines in the prefrontal cortex, limbic system, and reward centers. Carriers of the Val and Met alleles may therefore respond differently to the environment and differ in the long-term impact of exposure to early life adversity (ELA). METHODS We measured saliva cortisol reactivity to public speaking and mental arithmetic stress in 252 healthy young adults exposed to low, medium, and high levels of ELA and who were genotyped for the Val158Met polymorphism. RESULTS Cortisol responses showed a G × E interaction (F(4,243) = 2.78, p = .028); simple effects tests showed that Met/Met carriers had progressively smaller cortisol responses with greater levels of ELA. In comparison, Val/Val homozygotes had blunted responses that did not vary with ELA exposure. CONCLUSIONS Met/Met homozygotes seem sensitive to stressful events in childhood and adolescence, leading to environmental programming of the stress axis. Glucocorticoid responsivity may represent a common pathway revealing targeted genetic vulnerabilities to the long-term effects of early life stress. The results suggest that further G × E studies of ELA are warranted in relation to health behaviors and health outcomes in adulthood.
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11
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Allen AP, Kennedy PJ, Dockray S, Cryan JF, Dinan TG, Clarke G. The Trier Social Stress Test: Principles and practice. Neurobiol Stress 2016; 6:113-126. [PMID: 28229114 PMCID: PMC5314443 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2016.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 234] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2016] [Revised: 11/03/2016] [Accepted: 11/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Researchers interested in the neurobiology of the acute stress response in humans require a valid and reliable acute stressor that can be used under experimental conditions. The Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) provides such a testing platform. It induces stress by requiring participants to make an interview-style presentation, followed by a surprise mental arithmetic test, in front of an interview panel who do not provide feedback or encouragement. In this review, we outline the methodology of the TSST, and discuss key findings under conditions of health and stress-related disorder. The TSST has unveiled differences in males and females, as well as different age groups, in their neurobiological response to acute stress. The TSST has also deepened our understanding of how genotype may moderate the cognitive neurobiology of acute stress, and exciting new inroads have been made in understanding epigenetic contributions to the biological regulation of the acute stress response using the TSST. A number of innovative adaptations have been developed which allow for the TSST to be used in group settings, with children, in combination with brain imaging, and with virtual committees. Future applications may incorporate the emerging links between the gut microbiome and the stress response. Future research should also maximise use of behavioural data generated by the TSST. Alternative acute stress paradigms may have utility over the TSST in certain situations, such as those that require repeat testing. Nonetheless, we expect that the TSST remains the gold standard for examining the cognitive neurobiology of acute stress in humans. The TSST is the human experimental gold standard for evaluating the neurobiology of acute stress. The HPA axis response to the TSST is higher in males and lower in older adults. Genotype and epigenetic factors moderate the neurobiological response to the TSST. Multiple adaptations of the TSST are available for different testing contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew P Allen
- APC Microbiome Institute, Biosciences Building, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; Department of Psychiatry & Neurobehavioural Science, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Paul J Kennedy
- APC Microbiome Institute, Biosciences Building, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; Department of Psychiatry & Neurobehavioural Science, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Samantha Dockray
- School of Applied Psychology, Enterprise Centre, University College Cork, North Mall, Cork, Ireland
| | - John F Cryan
- APC Microbiome Institute, Biosciences Building, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; Department of Anatomy & Neuroscience, Western Gateway Building, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Timothy G Dinan
- APC Microbiome Institute, Biosciences Building, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; Department of Psychiatry & Neurobehavioural Science, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Gerard Clarke
- APC Microbiome Institute, Biosciences Building, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; Department of Psychiatry & Neurobehavioural Science, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
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Avery BM, Vrshek-Schallhorn S. Nonsynonymous HTR2C polymorphism predicts cortisol response to psychosocial stress I: Effects in males and females. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2016; 70:134-41. [PMID: 26787298 PMCID: PMC4948185 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2015.12.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2015] [Revised: 11/21/2015] [Accepted: 12/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genetic influences on stress reactivity may provide insight into depression risk mechanisms. The C-allele of rs6318, a putatively functional polymorphism located within the HTR2C gene, has been reported to predict greater cortisol and negative affective reactivity to lab-induced stress. However, the potential moderating effect of sex has not been examined despite X-linkage of HTR2C. We hypothesized that sex moderates the effect of rs6318 on cortisol and affective reactivity to lab-induced stress, with males showing stronger effects. METHODS Non-depressed young adults (N=112; 39 female) screened via clinical interview provided a DNA sample and completed either a negative evaluative Trier Social Stress Test, or a non-evaluative control protocol. Salivary cortisol and self-reported affect were assessed at four timepoints. RESULTS Contrary to hypotheses, C-carriers showed blunted rather than exaggerated cortisol responses to lab-induced stress in multilevel models (b=0.467, p<0.001), which persisted when covarying subclinical depressive symptoms. This effect was not moderated by sex (b=0.174, p=0.421), and remained significant when examining females (b=0.362, p=0.013) and males (b=0.537, p<0.001) separately. C-carriers also exhibited marginally greater reactivity in negative self-focused affect in response to stress than non-carriers when covarying subclinical depressive symptoms (b=-0.360, p=0.067), and exhibited higher levels of subclinical depressive symptoms than non-carriers (F=6.463, p=0.012). CONCLUSIONS Results support a role for the rs6318 C-allele in dysregulated stress responding, and suggest that the C-allele may contribute to risk for depression.
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MESH Headings
- Adolescent
- Alleles
- Case-Control Studies
- Depression/genetics
- Depression/psychology
- Depressive Disorder, Major/genetics
- Depressive Disorder, Major/metabolism
- Depressive Disorder, Major/psychology
- Female
- Genetic Predisposition to Disease
- Humans
- Hydrocortisone/genetics
- Hydrocortisone/metabolism
- Male
- Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
- Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2C/genetics
- Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2C/metabolism
- Risk Factors
- Saliva/metabolism
- Serotonin/genetics
- Serotonin/metabolism
- Stress, Psychological/genetics
- Stress, Psychological/metabolism
- Surveys and Questionnaires
- Young Adult
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradley M Avery
- Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, USA
| | - Suzanne Vrshek-Schallhorn
- Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, USA; Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.
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