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Uvnäs-Moberg K, Gross MM, Calleja-Agius J, Turner JD. The Yin and Yang of the oxytocin and stress systems: opposites, yet interdependent and intertwined determinants of lifelong health trajectories. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1272270. [PMID: 38689729 PMCID: PMC11058227 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1272270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
During parturition and the immediate post-partum period there are two opposite, yet interdependent and intertwined systems that are highly active and play a role in determining lifelong health and behaviour in both the mother and her infant: the stress and the anti-stress (oxytocin) system. Before attempting to understand how the environment around birth determines long-term health trajectories, it is essential to understand how these two systems operate and how they interact. Here, we discuss together the hormonal and neuronal arms of both the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the oxytocinergic systems and how they interact. Although the HPA axis and glucocorticoid stress axis are well studied, the role of oxytocin as an extremely powerful anti-stress hormone deserves more attention. It is clear that these anti-stress effects depend on oxytocinergic nerves emanating from the supraoptic nucleus (SON) and paraventricular nucleus (PVN), and project to multiple sites at which the stress system is regulated. These, include projections to corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) neurons within the PVN, to the anterior pituitary, to areas involved in sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous control, to NA neurons in the locus coeruleus (LC), and to CRH neurons in the amygdala. In the context of the interaction between the HPA axis and the oxytocin system birth is a particularly interesting period as, for both the mother and the infant, both systems are very strongly activated within the same narrow time window. Data suggest that the HPA axis and the oxytocin system appear to interact in this early-life period, with effects lasting many years. If mother-child skin-to-skin contact occurs almost immediately postpartum, the effects of the anti-stress (oxytocin) system become more prominent, moderating lifelong health trajectories. There is clear evidence that HPA axis activity during this time is dependent on the balance between the HPA axis and the oxytocin system, the latter being reinforced by specific somatosensory inputs, and this has long-term consequences for stress reactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerstin Uvnäs-Moberg
- Department of Animal Environment and Health, Section of Anthrozoology and Applied Ethology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Skara, Sweden
| | - Mechthild M. Gross
- Midwifery Research and Education Unit, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jean Calleja-Agius
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Jonathan D. Turner
- Immune Endocrine Epigenetics Research Group, Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Esch sur Alzette, Luxembourg
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Merz MP, Seal SV, Grova N, Mériaux S, Guebels P, Kanli G, Mommaerts E, Nicot N, Kaoma T, Keunen O, Nazarov PV, Turner JD. Early-life influenza A (H1N1) infection independently programs brain connectivity, HPA AXIS and tissue-specific gene expression profiles. Sci Rep 2024; 14:5898. [PMID: 38467724 PMCID: PMC10928197 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-56601-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Early-life adversity covers a range of physical, social and environmental stressors. Acute viral infections in early life are a major source of such adversity and have been associated with a broad spectrum of later-life effects outside the immune system or "off-target". These include an altered hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and metabolic reactions. Here, we used a murine post-natal day 14 (PND 14) Influenza A (H1N1) infection model and applied a semi-holistic approach including phenotypic measurements, gene expression arrays and diffusion neuroimaging techniques to investigate HPA axis dysregulation, energy metabolism and brain connectivity. By PND 56 the H1N1 infection had been resolved, and there was no residual gene expression signature of immune cell infiltration into the liver, adrenal gland or brain tissues examined nor of immune-related signalling. A resolved early-life H1N1 infection had sex-specific effects. We observed retarded growth of males and altered pre-stress (baseline) blood glucose and corticosterone levels at PND42 after the infection was resolved. Cerebral MRI scans identified reduced connectivity in the cortex, midbrain and cerebellum that were accompanied by tissue-specific gene expression signatures. Gene set enrichment analysis confirmed that these were tissue-specific changes with few common pathways. Early-life infection independently affected each of the systems and this was independent of HPA axis or immune perturbations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myriam P Merz
- Immune Endocrine and Epigenetics Research Group, Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), 29 Rue Henri Koch, 4354, Esch-Sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
- Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, 2 Avenue de Université, L-4365, Esch-Sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
- Central Biobank Charité, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Snehaa V Seal
- Immune Endocrine and Epigenetics Research Group, Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), 29 Rue Henri Koch, 4354, Esch-Sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
- Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, 2 Avenue de Université, L-4365, Esch-Sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Nathalie Grova
- Immune Endocrine and Epigenetics Research Group, Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), 29 Rue Henri Koch, 4354, Esch-Sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
- Inserm U1256, NGERE, Nutrition-Génétique Et Exposition Aux Risques Environnementaux, Université de Lorraine, 54000, Nancy, France
| | - Sophie Mériaux
- Immune Endocrine and Epigenetics Research Group, Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), 29 Rue Henri Koch, 4354, Esch-Sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Pauline Guebels
- Immune Endocrine and Epigenetics Research Group, Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), 29 Rue Henri Koch, 4354, Esch-Sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Georgia Kanli
- In Vivo Imaging Platform, Luxembourg Institute of Health, 1445, Strassen, Luxembourg
- Translational Radiomics, Department of Cancer Research, Luxembourg Institute of Health, 1526, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Elise Mommaerts
- LuxGen Genome Center, Laboratoire National de Santé, Luxembourg Institute of Health, 3555, Dudelange, Luxembourg
| | - Nathalie Nicot
- LuxGen Genome Center, Laboratoire National de Santé, Luxembourg Institute of Health, 3555, Dudelange, Luxembourg
| | - Tony Kaoma
- Bioinformatics Platform, Data Integration and Analysis Unit, Luxembourg Institute of Health, 1445, Strassen, Luxembourg
| | - Olivier Keunen
- In Vivo Imaging Platform, Luxembourg Institute of Health, 1445, Strassen, Luxembourg
- Translational Radiomics, Department of Cancer Research, Luxembourg Institute of Health, 1526, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Petr V Nazarov
- Bioinformatics Platform, Data Integration and Analysis Unit, Luxembourg Institute of Health, 1445, Strassen, Luxembourg
- Multiomics Data Science Research Group, Department of Cancer Research, Luxembourg Institute of Health, 1445, Strassen, Luxembourg
| | - Jonathan D Turner
- Immune Endocrine and Epigenetics Research Group, Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), 29 Rue Henri Koch, 4354, Esch-Sur-Alzette, Luxembourg.
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Zarnegar R, Vounta A, Li Q, Ghoreishizadeh SS. Nociception related biomolecules in the adult human saliva: A scoping review with additional quantitative focus on cortisol. Mol Pain 2024; 20:17448069241237121. [PMID: 38385158 PMCID: PMC10916496 DOI: 10.1177/17448069241237121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Nociception related salivary biomolecules can be useful patients who are not able to self-report pain. We present the existing evidence on this topic using the PRISMA-ScR guidelines and a more focused analysis of cortisol change after cold pain induction using the direction of effect analysis combined with risk of bias analysis using ROBINS-I. Five data bases were searched systematically for articles on adults with acute pain secondary to disease, injury, or experimentally induced pain. Forty three articles met the inclusion criteria for the general review and 11 of these were included in the cortisol-cold pain analysis. Salivary melatonin, kallikreins, pro-inflammatory cytokines, soluable TNF-α receptor II, secretory IgA, testosterone, salivary α-amylase (sAA) and, most commonly, cortisol have been studied in relation to acute pain. There is greatest information about cortisol and sAA which both rise after cold pain when compared with other modalities. Where participants have been subjected to both pain and stress, stress is consistently a more reliable predictor of salivary biomarker change than pain. There remain considerable challenges in identifying biomarkers that can be used in clinical practice to guide the measurement of nociception and treatment of pain. Standardization of methodology and researchers' greater awareness of the factors that affect salivary biomolecule concentrations are needed to improve our understanding of this field towards creating a clinically relevant body of evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roxaneh Zarnegar
- Institute of Orthopaedics and Musculoskeletal Science, University College London, London, UK
- Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust, Stanmore, UK
| | - Angeliki Vounta
- Institute of Orthopaedics and Musculoskeletal Science, University College London, London, UK
| | - Qiuyuan Li
- Department of Rehabilitation, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Sara S Ghoreishizadeh
- Institute of Orthopaedics and Musculoskeletal Science, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University College London, London, UK
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Xie M, Jiang Y, Zilioli S, Xiang S, Zhao S, Lin D. Parent-Child Separation and Diurnal Cortisol Rhythms Among Left-Behind Adolescents: The Moderating Role of Sex. J Youth Adolesc 2023:10.1007/s10964-023-01820-8. [PMID: 37481502 DOI: 10.1007/s10964-023-01820-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
Prior research examining parent-child separation and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis functioning has primarily focused on separation due to parental divorce or loss or forced migration. Less clear is the impact of parental economic migration on adolescents' HPA axis functioning. The present study fills this gap by examining diurnal cortisol patterns among left-behind adolescents who experienced separation from their migrant parents. Participants were 293 Chinese adolescents (33.4% girls, 66.21% left-behind adolescents; Mage = 10.80 years old, SD = 0.82 years). Two-level multilevel modeling was conducted to examine the associations between parent-child separation experiences and diurnal cortisol patterns. Although no significant differences were found between left-behind adolescents and their non-left-behind peers, results revealed that left-behind adolescents who experienced parent-child separation at earlier ages had more blunted diurnal cortisol slopes (usually signaling poorer mental and physical health), compared to their counterparts who experienced separation at older ages. Left-behind adolescent girls who had more adverse separation experiences exhibited smaller waking cortisol and blunted diurnal slopes; these findings were not observed among left-behind adolescent boys. Observing the association between timing of parent-child separation and adolescents' diurnal cortisol and the moderating effects of child sex, this study contributes uniquely to the developmental science of left-behind adolescents' physiological health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingjun Xie
- Institute of Developmental Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Yanping Jiang
- Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
- Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Samuele Zilioli
- Department of Psychology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Shiyuan Xiang
- Institute of Developmental Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Shan Zhao
- Institute of Developmental Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Danhua Lin
- Institute of Developmental Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China.
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Mposhi A, Turner JD. How can early life adversity still exert an effect decades later? A question of timing, tissues and mechanisms. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1215544. [PMID: 37457711 PMCID: PMC10348484 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1215544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Exposure to any number of stressors during the first 1000 days from conception to age 2 years is important in shaping an individual's life trajectory of health and disease. Despite the expanding range of stressors as well as later-life phenotypes and outcomes, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Our previous data strongly suggests that early-life exposure to a stressor reduces the capacity of the immune system to generate subsequent generations of naïve cells, while others have shown that, early life stress impairs the capacity of neuronal stem cells to proliferate as they age. This leads us to the "stem cell hypothesis" whereby exposure to adversity during a sensitive period acts through a common mechanism in all the cell types by programming the tissue resident progenitor cells. Furthermore, we review the mechanistic differences observed in fully differentiated cells and suggest that early life adversity (ELA) may alter mitochondria in stem cells. This may consequently alter the destiny of these cells, producing the lifelong "supply" of functionally altered fully differentiated cells.
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Tang A, Ertel KA, Keen R, Beyer L, Eckert N, Mita C, Pintro K, Okuzono SS, Yazawa A, Slopen N. Parent-child separation and cardiometabolic outcomes and risk factors in adulthood: A systematic review. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2023; 152:106084. [PMID: 36996574 PMCID: PMC10565792 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2023.106084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Parent-child separation has been associated with negative mental health across childhood and adulthood, yet little is known about the long-term impacts for cardiovascular health. This systematic review synthesized and evaluated the quality of the literature examining the association between exposures to parent-child separation and cardiometabolic outcomes in adulthood. METHODS Following a registered protocol, online databases (Pubmed, PsycInfo, and Web of Science) were searched for relevant studies. Studies were included if they (a) defined the exposure before age 18 as institutionalization, foster care placement, parental incarceration, separation due to parents migrating for economic reasons, or asylum and war; and (b) quantified the association between parent-child separation and cardiometabolic events and diagnoses (e.g., coronary heart disease, diabetes) and risk factors (e.g., body mass index, fat distribution, serum-based metabolic markers, inflammatory markers in adulthood (≥ age 18). Studies lacking an unexposed comparison group were excluded. The risk for bias in each study was assessed with a modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. RESULTS Of the 1938 studies identified, 13 met our inclusion criteria. Two of the four studies examining associations between parent-child separation and cardiometabolic events and diagnoses found positive associations with coronary heart disease and diabetes. Amongst the 13 studies examining associations with any type of adult cardiometabolic risk factors, eight studies reported at least one positive association. Sub-analyses considering separate reasons for parent-child separation provided clearer insights: War evacuation was associated with hypertension and high blood pressure across four studies from the same cohort; out-of home care experiences largely evidenced null results across five different studies, and two studies on parental incarceration suggested positive associations with elevated inflammation, BMI and blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS The connections between parent-child separation and adult cardiometabolic outcomes and risk factors are currently inconsistent. The results may depend on the reason for separation, age of assessment, analytic differences and other psychosocial variables that are often unmeasured in this literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alva Tang
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Dallas, USA.
| | - Karen A Ertel
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, USA; Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, USA
| | - Ryan Keen
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, USA
| | - Logan Beyer
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, USA; Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, USA
| | | | - Carol Mita
- Countway Library of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, USA
| | - Kedie Pintro
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, USA
| | - Sakurako S Okuzono
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, USA
| | - Aki Yazawa
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, USA; Department of Epidemiology and Prevention, Center for Clinical Sciences, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Natalie Slopen
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, USA; Center on the Developing Child, Harvard University, USA
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Schär S, Mürner-Lavanchy I, Schmidt SJ, Koenig J, Kaess M. Child maltreatment and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis functioning: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Neuroendocrinol 2022; 66:100987. [PMID: 35202606 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2022.100987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Alterations in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and its effector hormone cortisol have been proposed as one possible mechanism linking child maltreatment experiences to health disparities. In this series of meta-analyses, we aimed to quantify the existing evidence on the effect of child maltreatment on various measures of HPA axis activity. The systematic literature search yielded 1,858 records, of which 87 studies (k = 132) were included. Using random-effects models, we found evidence for blunted cortisol stress reactivity in individuals exposed to child maltreatment. In contrast, no overall differences were found in any of the other HPA axis activity measures (including measures of daily activity, cortisol assessed in the context of pharmacological challenges and cumulative measures of cortisol secretion). The impact of several moderators (e.g., sex, psychopathology, study quality), the role of methodological shortcomings of existing studies, as well as potential directions for future research are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selina Schär
- University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ines Mürner-Lavanchy
- University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Stefanie J Schmidt
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Julian Koenig
- University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland; University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Cologne, Germany; Section for Experimental Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Centre for Psychosocial Medicine, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael Kaess
- University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland; Clinic for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Centre for Psychosocial Medicine, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.
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Keogh TM, Howard S, Gallagher S. Early Life Adversity and Blunted Cardiovascular Reactivity to Acute Psychological Stress: The Role of Current Depressive Symptoms. Psychosom Med 2022; 84:170-178. [PMID: 34654025 DOI: 10.1097/psy.0000000000001024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The pathways underlying the early life adversity and cardiovascular reactivity association remain unclear. The current study examined the role of current depressive symptoms on this relationship. METHODS Mediation analyses were conducted using data from 639 participants drawn from the Midlife Development in the United States 2 Biomarker Project. Responses were derived from the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Participants had their systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP) and heart rate monitored throughout a standardized stress testing protocol. RESULTS The association between early life adversity and reactivity was mediated by current depressive symptoms; all adversity factors were linked to higher levels of current depressive symptoms, which, in turn, were associated with lower cardiovascular reactivity. For emotional abuse, this was noted for SBP (β = -0.06 [95% confidence interval {CI}, -0.13 to -0.01]) and DBP (β = -0.04 [-0.07 to -0.01]), physical abuse (SBP: β = -0.05 [-0.11 to -0.01]; DBP: β = -0.03 [-0.06 to -0.01]), sexual abuse (SBP: β = -0.04 [-0.09 to -0.01]; DBP: β = -0.02 [-0.05 to -0.01]), emotional neglect (SBP: β = -0.04 [-0.09 to -0.01]; DBP: β = -0.02 [-0.05 to -0.01]), physical neglect (SBP: β = -0.09 [-0.17 to -0.02]; DBP: β = -0.05 [-0.09 to -0.02]), and total Childhood Trauma Questionnaire score (SBP: β = -0.02 [-0.03 to -0.00]; DBP: β = -0.01 [-0.02 to -0.00]). CONCLUSIONS The present findings extend research and demonstrate that depression is an underlying mechanism linking early life adversity and blunted cardiovascular reactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tracey M Keogh
- From the Department of Psychology, Centre for Social Issues Research, Study of Anxiety, Stress and Health Laboratory (Keogh, Howard, Gallagher), and Health Research Institute (Keogh, Howard, Gallagher), University of Limerick, Castletroy, Limerick, Ireland
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Charalambous EG, Mériaux SB, Guebels P, Muller CP, Leenen FAD, Elwenspoek MMC, Thiele I, Hertel J, Turner JD. Early-Life Adversity Leaves Its Imprint on the Oral Microbiome for More Than 20 Years and Is Associated with Long-Term Immune Changes. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222312682. [PMID: 34884490 PMCID: PMC8657988 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222312682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The early-life microbiome (ELM) interacts with the psychosocial environment, in particular during early-life adversity (ELA), defining life-long health trajectories. The ELM also plays a significant role in the maturation of the immune system. We hypothesised that, in this context, the resilience of the oral microbiomes, despite being composed of diverse and distinct communities, allows them to retain an imprint of the early environment. Using 16S amplicon sequencing on the EpiPath cohort, we demonstrate that ELA leaves an imprint on both the salivary and buccal oral microbiome 24 years after exposure to adversity. Furthermore, the changes in both communities were associated with increased activation, maturation, and senescence of both innate and adaptive immune cells, although the interaction was partly dependent on prior herpesviridae exposure and current smoking. Our data suggest the presence of multiple links between ELA, Immunosenescence, and cytotoxicity that occur through long-term changes in the microbiome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleftheria G. Charalambous
- Immune Endocrine and Epigenetics Research Group, Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), 29 Rue Henri Koch, L-4354 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg; (E.G.C.); (S.B.M.); (P.G.); (C.P.M.); (F.A.D.L.); (M.M.C.E.)
- Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, 2 Avenue de Université, L-4365 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Sophie B. Mériaux
- Immune Endocrine and Epigenetics Research Group, Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), 29 Rue Henri Koch, L-4354 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg; (E.G.C.); (S.B.M.); (P.G.); (C.P.M.); (F.A.D.L.); (M.M.C.E.)
| | - Pauline Guebels
- Immune Endocrine and Epigenetics Research Group, Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), 29 Rue Henri Koch, L-4354 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg; (E.G.C.); (S.B.M.); (P.G.); (C.P.M.); (F.A.D.L.); (M.M.C.E.)
| | - Claude P. Muller
- Immune Endocrine and Epigenetics Research Group, Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), 29 Rue Henri Koch, L-4354 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg; (E.G.C.); (S.B.M.); (P.G.); (C.P.M.); (F.A.D.L.); (M.M.C.E.)
| | - Fleur A. D. Leenen
- Immune Endocrine and Epigenetics Research Group, Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), 29 Rue Henri Koch, L-4354 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg; (E.G.C.); (S.B.M.); (P.G.); (C.P.M.); (F.A.D.L.); (M.M.C.E.)
| | - Martha M. C. Elwenspoek
- Immune Endocrine and Epigenetics Research Group, Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), 29 Rue Henri Koch, L-4354 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg; (E.G.C.); (S.B.M.); (P.G.); (C.P.M.); (F.A.D.L.); (M.M.C.E.)
| | - Ines Thiele
- School of Medicine, National University of Ireland, H91 YR71 Galway, Ireland; (I.T.); (J.H.)
- Ryan Institute, National University of Galway, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland
- Division of Microbiology, National University of Galway, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland
- APC Microbiome Ireland, T12 HW58 Cork, Ireland
| | - Johannes Hertel
- School of Medicine, National University of Ireland, H91 YR71 Galway, Ireland; (I.T.); (J.H.)
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medicine Greifswald, 17489 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Jonathan D. Turner
- Immune Endocrine and Epigenetics Research Group, Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), 29 Rue Henri Koch, L-4354 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg; (E.G.C.); (S.B.M.); (P.G.); (C.P.M.); (F.A.D.L.); (M.M.C.E.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +352-26970-629
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Gunnar MR, Bowen M. What was learned from studying the effects of early institutional deprivation. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2021; 210:173272. [PMID: 34509501 PMCID: PMC8501402 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2021.173272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 09/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The effect of experiences in infancy on human development is a central question in developmental science. Children raised in orphanage-like institutions for their first year or so of life and then adopted into well-resourced and supportive families provide a lens on the long-term effects of early deprivation and the capacity of children to recover from this type of early adversity. While it is challenging to identify cause-and-effect relations in the study of previously institutionalized individuals, finding results that are consistent with animal experimental studies and the one randomized study of removal from institutional care support the conclusion that many of the outcomes for these children were induced by early institutional deprivation. This review examines the behavioral and neural evidence for altered executive function, declarative memory, affective disorders, reward processing, reactivity to threat, risk-taking and sensation-seeking. We then provide a brief overview of the neurobiological mechanisms that may transduce early institutional experiences into effects on brain and behavior. In addition, we discuss implications for policy and practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan R Gunnar
- University of Minnesota Institute of Child Development, 51 E River Rd, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
| | - Maya Bowen
- University of Minnesota Institute of Child Development, 51 E River Rd, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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11
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Leibel SL, Sun X. COVID-19 in Early Life: Infants and Children Are Affected Too. Physiology (Bethesda) 2021; 36:359-366. [PMID: 34704855 PMCID: PMC8560374 DOI: 10.1152/physiol.00022.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Compared with adults, children are less likely infected with SARS-CoV-2 and are often asymptomatic when infected. However, infection in children can lead to severe disease. The pandemic affects the lives of all children, especially those with lower socioeconomic status. This review highlights the physiological impacts of COVID-19 in early life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra L Leibel
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Xin Sun
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California
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12
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Bevan K, Kumari M. Maternal separation in childhood and hair cortisol concentrations in late adulthood. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2021; 130:105253. [PMID: 34051654 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 03/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Parent-child separation has been shown to increase the risk of a range of mental and physical health conditions later in life. Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation may help to explain this association. However, few studies have examined the effect of maternal separation on cortisol in late adulthood. METHODS We examined the relationship between maternal separation in childhood and hair cortisol concentrations in late adulthood, using data from the Whitehall II study (n = 3969, mean age: 70 y, range: 60-83 y). Additionally, the role of childhood (adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), material disadvantage, and parenting), adult (marital status and social position), and health (health behaviors, cardiovascular health and medication, and depression) measures in this association were examined. Finally, we examined age of separation and reason for separation. Analysis was carried out using linear regression. RESULTS Hair cortisol concentrations (pg/mg) among participants who reported maternal separation during childhood were higher (B=0.179, 95% CI 0.041-0.317, p = 0.01) compared to their non-separated counterparts. This effect was robust to adjustment by childhood, adult, and health measures. Among participants who reported separation, age at onset and reason for separation were not significantly associated with hair cortisol concentrations. CONCLUSION In older age individuals, hair cortisol concentrations were higher in those who reported maternal separation during childhood. This effect was independent of a wide variety of factors suggesting that there are lifelong pathways between early life separation and HPA functioning in old age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristopher Bevan
- Institute for Social and Economic Research, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, Essex CO4 3SQ, UK.
| | - Meena Kumari
- Institute for Social and Economic Research, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, Essex CO4 3SQ, UK
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13
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Fernandes SB, Patil ND, Meriaux S, Theresine M, Muller CP, Leenen FAD, Elwenspoek MMC, Zimmer J, Turner JD. Unbiased Screening Identifies Functional Differences in NK Cells After Early Life Psychosocial Stress. Front Immunol 2021; 12:674532. [PMID: 34394074 PMCID: PMC8363253 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.674532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Early Life Adversity (ELA) is closely associated with the risk for developing diseases later in life, such as autoimmune diseases, type-2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. In humans, early parental separation, physical and sexual abuse or low social-economic status during childhood are known to have great impact on brain development, in the hormonal system and immune responses. Maternal deprivation (MD) is the closest animal model available to the human situation. This paradigm induces long lasting behavioral effects, causes changes in the HPA axis and affects the immune system. However, the mechanisms underlying changes in the immune response after ELA are still not fully understood. In this study we investigated how ELA changes the immune system, through an unbiased analysis, viSNE, and addressed specially the NK immune cell population and its functionality. We have demonstrated that maternal separation, in both humans and rats, significantly affects the sensitivity of the immune system in adulthood. Particularly, NK cells’ profile and response to target cell lines are significantly changed after ELA. These immune cells in rats are not only less cytotoxic towards YAC-1 cells, but also show a clear increase in the expression of maturation markers after 3h of maternal separation. Similarly, individuals who suffered from ELA display significant changes in the cytotoxic profile of NK cells together with decreased degranulation capacity. These results suggest that one of the key mechanisms by which the immune system becomes impaired after ELA might be due to a shift on the senescent state of the cells, specifically NK cells. Elucidation of such a mechanism highlights the importance of ELA prevention and how NK targeted immunotherapy might help attenuating ELA consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara B Fernandes
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg.,Doctoral School in Systems and Molecular Biomedicine, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Neha D Patil
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg.,Doctoral School in Systems and Molecular Biomedicine, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Sophie Meriaux
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Maud Theresine
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Claude P Muller
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Fleur A D Leenen
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Martha M C Elwenspoek
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Jacques Zimmer
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg.,Doctoral School in Systems and Molecular Biomedicine, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Jonathan D Turner
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
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14
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Fontana BD, Cleal M, Norton WHJ, Parker MO. The impact of chronic unpredictable early-life stress (CUELS) on boldness and stress-reactivity: Differential effects of stress duration and context of testing. Physiol Behav 2021; 240:113526. [PMID: 34246665 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2021.113526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Early-life stress (ELS) has been shown to result in a diverse array of long-lasting impacts; for example, increasing vulnerability to disease or building 'resilience' in adulthood. Previously, zebrafish (Danio rerio) have been used to understand the mechanisms by which ELS induces different behavioral phenotypes in adults, with alterations in both learning and anxiety observed in exposed individuals. Here, we subjected zebrafish larvae to chronic unpredictable early-life stress (CUELS) for 7 or 14 days, to investigate the impact on boldness towards a new environment and novel object, and stress-reactivity. We observed that 7 days of CUELS resulted in increased time spent in the top of a novel tank (indicating boldness) but did not alter approach to a novel object. Although CUELS did not affect stress-reactivity in terms of cortisol levels, decreased anxiety-like response to conspecific alarm substance (CAS) was observed in both ELS groups (7 and 14 days of CUELS). Therefore, for the first time, we observe a potential negative effect of CUELS by dampening the behavioral stress response following exposure to CAS. Overall, these data support the use of zebrafish as a translational model to study the broad range of ELS-induced permanent changes in behavior. It could also be used to investigate the mechanisms underlying both the positive and the negative effects of early-life adversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara D Fontana
- Brain and Behaviour Laboratory, School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Portsmouth, UK.
| | - Madeleine Cleal
- Brain and Behaviour Laboratory, School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Portsmouth, UK
| | - William H J Norton
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology and Behaviour, College of Medicine, Biological Sciences and Psychology, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK; The International Zebrafish Neuroscience Research Consortium (ZNRC), 309 Palmer Court, Slidell, LA 70458, USA
| | - Matthew O Parker
- Brain and Behaviour Laboratory, School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Portsmouth, UK; The International Zebrafish Neuroscience Research Consortium (ZNRC), 309 Palmer Court, Slidell, LA 70458, USA.
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15
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Holuka C, Snoeck CJ, Mériaux SB, Ollert M, Krüger R, Turner JD. Adverse Life Trajectories Are a Risk Factor for SARS-CoV-2 IgA Seropositivity. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10102159. [PMID: 34067606 PMCID: PMC8157140 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10102159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Asymptomatic individuals, called “silent spreaders” spread SARS-CoV-2 efficiently and have complicated control of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. As seen in previous influenza pandemics, socioeconomic and life-trajectory factors are important in disease progression and outcome. The demographics of the asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 carriers are unknown. We used the CON-VINCE cohort of healthy, asymptomatic, and oligosymptomatic individuals that is statistically representative of the overall population of Luxembourg for age, gender, and residency to characterise this population. Gender (male), not smoking, and exposure to early-life or adult traumatic experiences increased the risk of IgA seropositivity, and the risk associated with early-life exposure was a dose-dependent metric, while some other known comorbidities of active COVID-19 do not impact it. As prior exposure to adversity is associated with negative psychobiological reactions to external stressors, we recorded psychological wellbeing during the study period. Exposure to traumatic events or concurrent autoimmune or rheumatic disease were associated with a worse evolution of anxiety and depressive symptoms throughout the lockdown period. The unique demographic profile of the “silent spreaders” highlights the role that the early-life period plays in determining our lifelong health trajectory and provides evidence that the developmental origins of health and disease is applicable to infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cyrielle Holuka
- Immune Endocrine Epigenetics Research Group, Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, L-4354 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg; (C.H.); (S.B.M.)
- Faculty of Science, University of Luxembourg, L-4365 Belval, Luxembourg
| | - Chantal J. Snoeck
- Clinical and Applied Virology Group, Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, L-4354 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg;
| | - Sophie B. Mériaux
- Immune Endocrine Epigenetics Research Group, Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, L-4354 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg; (C.H.); (S.B.M.)
| | - Markus Ollert
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, 29, rue Henri Koch, L-4354 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg;
- Odense Research Center for Anaphylaxis, Department of Dermatology and Allergy Center, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Rejko Krüger
- Transversal Translational Medicine, Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), L-1445 Strassen, Luxembourg;
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, University of Luxembourg, L-4362 Esch-Sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Jonathan D. Turner
- Immune Endocrine Epigenetics Research Group, Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, L-4354 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg; (C.H.); (S.B.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +352-2697-0629
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16
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Merz MP, Turner JD. Is early life adversity a trigger towards inflammageing? Exp Gerontol 2021; 150:111377. [PMID: 33905877 DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2021.111377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2020] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
There are many 'faces' of early life adversity (ELA), such as childhood trauma, institutionalisation, abuse or exposure to environmental toxins. These have been implicated in the onset and severity of a wide range of chronic non-communicable diseases later in life. The later-life disease risk has a well-established immunological component. This raises the question as to whether accelerated immune-ageing mechanistically links early-life adversity to the lifelong health trajectory resulting in either 'poor' or 'healthy' ageing. Here we examine observational and mechanistic studies of ELA and inflammageing, highlighting common and distinct features in these two life stages. Many biological processes appear in common including reduction in telomere length, increased immunosenescence, metabolic distortions and chronic (viral) infections. We propose that ELA shapes the developing immune, endocrine and nervous system in a non-reversible way, creating a distinct phenotype with accelerated immunosenescence and systemic inflammation. We conclude that ELA might act as an accelerator for inflammageing and age-related diseases. Furthermore, we now have the tools and cohorts to be able to dissect the interaction between ELA and later life phenotype. This should, in the near future, allow us to identify the ecological and mechanistic processes that are involved in 'healthy' or accelerated immune-ageing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myriam P Merz
- Immune Endocrine and Epigenetics Research Group, Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), 29 rue Henri Koch, L-4354 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg; Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, 2 avenue de Université, L-4365 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Jonathan D Turner
- Immune Endocrine and Epigenetics Research Group, Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), 29 rue Henri Koch, L-4354 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg.
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17
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The differential calibration of the HPA axis as a function of trauma versus adversity: A systematic review and p-curve meta-analyses. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 127:54-135. [PMID: 33857580 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Although there is an abundance of evidence linking the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis to adverse early-life experiences, the precise nature of the association remains unclear. Some evidence suggests early-life adversity leads to cortisol hyper-reactivity, while other evidence suggests adversity leads to cortisol hypo-reactivity. Here, we distinguish between trauma and adversity, and use p-curves to interrogate the conflicting literature. In Study 1, trauma was operationalized according to DSM-5 criteria; the p-curve analysis included 68 articles and revealed that the literature reporting associations between trauma and blunted cortisol reactivity contains evidential value. Study 2 examined the relationship between adversity and cortisol reactivity. Thirty articles were included in the analysis, and p-curve demonstrated that adversity is related to heightened cortisol reactivity. These results support an inverted U-shaped function relating severity of adversity and cortisol reactivity, and underscore the importance of distinguishing between "trauma" and "adversity".
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18
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Tao CS, Ramakrishnan N, McPhee M, Lewandowska OP, Erb S. Anxiety mediates the relationship between childhood adversity and perceived current life stress in a diverse sample of emerging adults. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADOLESCENCE AND YOUTH 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/02673843.2021.1910050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Cinthia S. Tao
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, Canada
| | - Nayani Ramakrishnan
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, Canada
| | - Matthew McPhee
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Psychological Clinical Science, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Suzanne Erb
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, Canada
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19
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The 'Jekyll and Hyde' of Gluconeogenesis: Early Life Adversity, Later Life Stress, and Metabolic Disturbances. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22073344. [PMID: 33805856 PMCID: PMC8037741 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22073344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The physiological response to a psychological stressor broadly impacts energy metabolism. Inversely, changes in energy availability affect the physiological response to the stressor in terms of hypothalamus, pituitary adrenal axis (HPA), and sympathetic nervous system activation. Glucocorticoids, the endpoint of the HPA axis, are critical checkpoints in endocrine control of energy homeostasis and have been linked to metabolic diseases including obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes. Glucocorticoids, through the glucocorticoid receptor, activate transcription of genes associated with glucose and lipid regulatory pathways and thereby control both physiological and pathophysiological systemic energy homeostasis. Here, we summarize the current knowledge of glucocorticoid functions in energy metabolism and systemic metabolic dysfunction, particularly focusing on glucose and lipid metabolism. There are elements in the external environment that induce lifelong changes in the HPA axis stress response and glucocorticoid levels, and the most prominent are early life adversity, or exposure to traumatic stress. We hypothesise that when the HPA axis is so disturbed after early life adversity, it will fundamentally alter hepatic gluconeogenesis, inducing hyperglycaemia, and hence crystalise the significant lifelong risk of developing either the metabolic syndrome, or type 2 diabetes. This gives a “Jekyll and Hyde” role to gluconeogenesis, providing the necessary energy in situations of acute stress, but driving towards pathophysiological consequences when the HPA axis has been altered.
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20
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Abstract
Early life adversity (ELA) has been associated with inflammation and immunosenescence, as well as hyporeactivity of the HPA axis. Because the immune system and the HPA axis are tightly intertwined around the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), we examined peripheral GR functionality in the EpiPath cohort among participants who either had been exposed to ELA (separation from parents and/or institutionalization followed by adoption; n = 40) or had been reared by their biological parents (n = 72).Expression of the strict GR target genes FKBP5 and GILZ as well as total and 1F and 1H GR transcripts were similar between groups. Furthermore, there were no differences in GR sensitivity, examined by the effects of dexamethasone on IL6 production in LPS-stimulated whole blood. Although we did not find differences in methylation at the GR 1F exon or promoter region, we identified a region of the GR 1H promoter (CpG 1-9) that showed lower methylation levels in ELA.Our results suggest that peripheral GR signaling was unperturbed in our cohort and the observed immune phenotype does not appear to be secondary to an altered GR response to the perturbed HPA axis and glucocorticoid (GC) profile, although we are limited in our measures of GR activity and time points.
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21
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Holuka C, Merz MP, Fernandes SB, Charalambous EG, Seal SV, Grova N, Turner JD. The COVID-19 Pandemic: Does Our Early Life Environment, Life Trajectory and Socioeconomic Status Determine Disease Susceptibility and Severity? Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E5094. [PMID: 32707661 PMCID: PMC7404093 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21145094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
A poor socioeconomic environment and social adversity are fundamental determinants of human life span, well-being and health. Previous influenza pandemics showed that socioeconomic factors may determine both disease detection rates and overall outcomes, and preliminary data from the ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic suggests that this is still true. Over the past years it has become clear that early-life adversity (ELA) plays a critical role biasing the immune system towards a pro-inflammatory and senescent phenotype many years later. Cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTL) appear to be particularly sensitive to the early life social environment. As we understand more about the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 it appears that a functional CTL (CD8+) response is required to clear the infection and COVID-19 severity is increased as the CD8+ response becomes somehow diminished or exhausted. This raises the hypothesis that the ELA-induced pro-inflammatory and senescent phenotype may play a role in determining the clinical course of COVID-19, and the convergence of ELA-induced senescence and COVID-19 induced exhaustion represents the worst-case scenario with the least effective T-cell response. If the correct data is collected, it may be possible to separate the early life elements that have made people particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 many years later. This will, naturally, then help us identify those that are most at risk from developing the severest forms of COVID-19. In order to do this, we need to recognize socioeconomic and early-life factors as genuine medically and clinically relevant data that urgently need to be collected. Finally, many biological samples have been collected in the ongoing studies. The mechanisms linking the early life environment with a defined later-life phenotype are starting to be elucidated, and perhaps hold the key to understanding inequalities and differences in the severity of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cyrielle Holuka
- Immune Endocrine Epigenetics Research Group, Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, L-4345 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg; (C.H.); (M.P.M.); (S.B.F.); (E.G.C.); (S.V.S.); (N.G.)
| | - Myriam P. Merz
- Immune Endocrine Epigenetics Research Group, Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, L-4345 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg; (C.H.); (M.P.M.); (S.B.F.); (E.G.C.); (S.V.S.); (N.G.)
| | - Sara B. Fernandes
- Immune Endocrine Epigenetics Research Group, Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, L-4345 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg; (C.H.); (M.P.M.); (S.B.F.); (E.G.C.); (S.V.S.); (N.G.)
| | - Eleftheria G. Charalambous
- Immune Endocrine Epigenetics Research Group, Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, L-4345 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg; (C.H.); (M.P.M.); (S.B.F.); (E.G.C.); (S.V.S.); (N.G.)
| | - Snehaa V. Seal
- Immune Endocrine Epigenetics Research Group, Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, L-4345 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg; (C.H.); (M.P.M.); (S.B.F.); (E.G.C.); (S.V.S.); (N.G.)
| | - Nathalie Grova
- Immune Endocrine Epigenetics Research Group, Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, L-4345 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg; (C.H.); (M.P.M.); (S.B.F.); (E.G.C.); (S.V.S.); (N.G.)
- Calbinotox, Faculty of Science and Technology, Lorraine University, 54506 Nancy, France
| | - Jonathan D. Turner
- Immune Endocrine Epigenetics Research Group, Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, L-4345 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg; (C.H.); (M.P.M.); (S.B.F.); (E.G.C.); (S.V.S.); (N.G.)
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22
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Parental divorce is associated with an increased risk to develop mental disorders in women. J Affect Disord 2019; 257:91-99. [PMID: 31299409 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2019.06.071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Revised: 03/15/2019] [Accepted: 06/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Parental divorce has been associated with reduced well-being in young adults. It is, however, unclear whether this finding is clinically relevant as studies using structured clinical interviews are missing. This study, therefore, investigated if young adults with divorced parents are at risk to develop mental disorders. Furthermore, differences in parental care, social connectedness, chronic stress and traumatic experiences between children of divorced and non-divorced parents were investigated. METHODS 121 women (mean age: 23 years) were interviewed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I (i.e., major mental disorders) and II (i.e., personality disorders) Disorders and asked to complete questionnaires assessing parental care, social connectedness (loneliness, attachment anxiety and avoidance), chronic stress, childhood trauma and depression. RESULTS Young adults of divorced parents had a higher risk for Axis I but not Axis II disorders as compared to young adults of non-divorced parents. Participants from divorced families as compared to non-divorced families reported more depression, loneliness, childhood trauma, attachment avoidance, attachment anxiety, chronic stress and less paterntal care. LIMITATIONS Due to the cross-sectional design of this study, conclusions about causality remain speculative. CONCLUSION The increased vulnerability of children of divorced parents to develop mental disorders, and to experience more chronic stress, loneliness, attachment avoidance, attachment anxiety, and traumatic experiences during childhood is alarming and highlights the importance of prevention programs and psycho-education during the process of parental divorce. Parental support with regard to adequate caregiving is needed to help parents to better support their children during and after their divorce.
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Schaan VK, Schulz A, Rubel JA, Bernstein M, Domes G, Schächinger H, Vögele C. Childhood Trauma Affects Stress-Related Interoceptive Accuracy. Front Psychiatry 2019; 10:750. [PMID: 31681049 PMCID: PMC6813623 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2019] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Early life adversity (ELA) may cause permanent disturbances in brain-body signaling. These disturbances are thought to contribute to physical symptoms and emotional dysregulation in adulthood. The current study investigated the effects of childhood trauma on young adults' interoceptive accuracy as an indicator of brain-body communication that may be dysregulated by ELA. Sixty-six participants completed an online questionnaire followed by a laboratory session including the socially evaluated cold pressor stress test during which ECG, salivary cortisol, and interoceptive accuracy were assessed. Childhood trauma was negatively related to interoceptive accuracy (IAc) after the stressor. This stress effect could not be observed for heart rate and cortisol, which were unrelated to IAc. Participants reporting higher baseline unpleasantness exhibited lower IAc after the stressor, while increases in unpleasantness due to the stressor were associated with higher IAc. Unpleasantness at baseline mediated the effect of childhood trauma on IAc after the stressor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Violetta K Schaan
- Institute for Health and Behaviour, Research Unit INSIDE, University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - André Schulz
- Institute for Health and Behaviour, Research Unit INSIDE, University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Julian A Rubel
- Department of Psychotherapy Research, Justus-Liebig-University Gießen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Michael Bernstein
- Department of Psychology and Social Sciences, Penn State Abington, Abington Township, PA, United States
| | - Gregor Domes
- Department of Biological and Clinical Psychology, University of Trier, Germany
| | - Hartmut Schächinger
- Department of Clinical Psychophysiology, Institute of Psychobiology, University of Trier, Germany
| | - Claus Vögele
- Institute for Health and Behaviour, Research Unit INSIDE, University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
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Lyons ER, Norman Wells J, Scholtes CM, Mintz B, Giuliano RJ, Skowron EA. Recollections of positive early caregiving relate to sympathetic nervous system activation and chronic inflammation in subsequent generations. Dev Psychobiol 2018; 61:261-274. [PMID: 30575955 DOI: 10.1002/dev.21815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2018] [Revised: 11/03/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
To understand links between early experience and biomarkers of peripheral physiology in adulthood, this study examined associations between quality of early caregiving and markers of sympathetic activation and chronic inflammation in a sample of 52 low-income mothers and their preschool-aged children. Mothers reported on levels of positive caregiving experienced during childhood using the Structural Analysis of Social Behavior-Intrex. Mother and child sympathetic activation was indexed via pre-ejection period (PEP) at rest, during a dyadic social engagement task, and for children, while interacting with an unfamiliar adult. C-reactive protein (CRP) was collected using whole blood spots to assess levels of low-grade chronic inflammation. Results showed that mothers who reported experiencing more warm guidance and support for autonomy in early childhood displayed lower resting sympathetic nervous system activation (i.e., longer PEP) and lower chronic inflammation (i.e., CRP levels). Further, lower maternal chronic inflammation levels were associated with lower sympathetic activation (i.e., longer PEP) in their children at rest, and during social interactions with mother and a female stranger.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma R Lyons
- Counseling Psychology, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon
| | | | | | - Brianna Mintz
- Counseling Psychology, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon
| | - Ryan J Giuliano
- Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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