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Creasey N, Leijten P, Overbeek G, Tollenaar MS. Incredible years parenting program buffers prospective association between parent-reported harsh parenting and epigenetic age deceleration in children with externalizing behavior. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2024; 165:107043. [PMID: 38593711 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2024.107043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Harsh parenting has been shown to increase the risk of physical and mental health problems in later life. To improve our understanding of these risks and how they can be mitigated, we investigated associations of harsh parenting with a clinically relevant biomarker, epigenetic age deviation (EAD), using data from a randomized-control trial of the Incredible Years (IY) parenting program. This study included 281 children aged 4-8 years who were screened for heightened externalizing behavior and whose parents were randomly allocated to either IY or care-as-usual (CAU). Parents reported on their own parenting practices and their child's externalizing behavior at baseline and at a follow-up assessment approximately three years later. Epigenetic age, based on the Pediatric Buccal Epigenetic (PedBE) clock, was estimated from child DNA methylation derived from saliva collected at the follow-up assessment. PedBE clock estimates were regressed on chronological age as a measure of EAD. Moderation analyses using multiple regression revealed that harsher parenting at baseline predicted epigenetic age deceleration in children that received CAU (b = -.21, 95% CI[-0.37, -0.05]), but no association was found in children whose parents were allocated to IY (b = -.02, 95% CI [-0.13, 0.19]). These results highlight a prospective association between harsh parenting and children's EAD and indicate a potential ameliorating effect of preventive intervention. Future work is needed to replicate these findings and understand individual differences in children's responses to harsh parenting in relation to epigenetic aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Creasey
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Clinical, Educational & Health Psychology, Division of Psychology & Language Sciences, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, UK.
| | - Patty Leijten
- Research Institute of Child Development and Education, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Geertjan Overbeek
- Research Institute of Child Development and Education, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Marieke S Tollenaar
- Institute of Psychology & Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University, the Netherlands
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2
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Cánepa ET, Berardino BG. Epigenetic mechanisms linking early-life adversities and mental health. Biochem J 2024; 481:615-642. [PMID: 38722301 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20230306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/15/2024]
Abstract
Early-life adversities, whether prenatal or postnatal exposure, have been linked to adverse mental health outcomes later in life increasing the risk of several psychiatric disorders. Research on its neurobiological consequences demonstrated an association between exposure to adversities and persistent alterations in the structure, function, and connectivity of the brain. Consistent evidence supports the idea that regulation of gene expression through epigenetic mechanisms are involved in embedding the impact of early-life experiences in the genome and mediate between social environments and later behavioral phenotypes. In addition, studies from rodent models and humans suggest that these experiences and the acquired risk factors can be transmitted through epigenetic mechanisms to offspring and the following generations potentially contributing to a cycle of disease or disease risk. However, one of the important aspects of epigenetic mechanisms, unlike genetic sequences that are fixed and unchangeable, is that although the epigenetic markings are long-lasting, they are nevertheless potentially reversible. In this review, we summarize our current understanding of the epigenetic mechanisms involved in the mental health consequences derived from early-life exposure to malnutrition, maltreatment and poverty, adversities with huge and pervasive impact on mental health. We also discuss the evidence about transgenerational epigenetic inheritance in mammals and experimental data suggesting that suitable social and pharmacological interventions could reverse adverse epigenetic modifications induced by early-life negative social experiences. In this regard, these studies must be accompanied by efforts to determine the causes that promote these adversities and that result in health inequity in the population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo T Cánepa
- Laboratorio de Neuroepigenética y Adversidades Tempranas, Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires and IQUIBICEN, CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Bruno G Berardino
- Laboratorio de Neuroepigenética y Adversidades Tempranas, Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires and IQUIBICEN, CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Creasey N, Beijers R, O'Donnell KJ, de Weerth C, Tollenaar MS. Maternal sensitivity and child internalizing and externalizing behavior: a mediating role for glucocorticoid receptor gene ( NR3C1) methylation? Dev Psychopathol 2024; 36:967-978. [PMID: 36896668 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579423000226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
The early caregiving environment can have lasting effects on child mental health. Animal models suggest that glucocorticoid receptor gene (NR3C1) DNA methylation plays a mediating role in linking more responsive caregiving to improved behavioral outcomes by its impact on the stress regulatory system. In this longitudinal study, we examined whether children's NR3C1 methylation levels mediate an effect of maternal sensitivity in infancy on levels of child internalizing and externalizing behavior in a community sample. Maternal sensitivity of 145 mothers was rated at infant age 5 weeks, 12 months, and 30 months by observing mother-infant interactions. Buccal DNA methylation was assessed in the same children at age 6 years and maternal-reported internalizing and externalizing behavior was assessed at age 6 and 10 years. Higher sensitivity at age 5 weeks significantly predicted lower DNA methylation levels at two NR3C1 CpG loci, although methylation levels at these loci did not mediate an effect of maternal sensitivity on levels of child internalizing and externalizing behavior. Overall, the study provides evidence that maternal sensitivity in early infancy is associated with DNA methylation levels at loci involved in stress regulation, but the significance of this finding for child mental health remains unclear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Creasey
- Preventive Youth Care, Research Institute of Child Development and Education, University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Roseriet Beijers
- Department of Social Development, Behavioral Science Institute, Radboud University, the Netherlands, and Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, the Netherlands
| | - Kieran J O'Donnell
- Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, Douglas Hospital Research Centre, McGill University, QC, Canada; Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, Child and Brain Development Program, Canada; and Yale Child Study Center & Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, USA
| | - Carolina de Weerth
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, the Netherlands
| | - Marieke S Tollenaar
- Institute of Psychology and Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University, the Netherlands
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Creasey N, Leijten P, Tollenaar MS, Boks MP, Overbeek G. DNA methylation variation after a parenting program for child conduct problems: Findings from a randomized controlled trial. Child Dev 2024. [PMID: 38436454 DOI: 10.1111/cdev.14090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
This study investigated associations of the Incredible Years (IY) parenting program with children's DNA methylation. Participants were 289 Dutch children aged 3-9 years (75% European ancestry, 48% female) with above-average conduct problems. Saliva was collected 2.5 years after families were randomized to IY or care as usual (CAU). Using an intention-to-treat approach, confirmatory multiple-regression analyses revealed no significant differences between the IY and CAU groups in children's methylation levels at the NR3C1 and FKBP5 genes. However, exploratory epigenome-wide analyses revealed nine differentially methylated regions between groups, coinciding with SLAMF1, MITF, FAM200B, PSD3, SNX31, and CELSR1. The study provides preliminary evidence for associations of IY with children's salivary methylation levels and highlights the need for further research into biological outcomes of parenting programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Creasey
- Research Institute of Child Development and Education, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Patty Leijten
- Research Institute of Child Development and Education, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marieke S Tollenaar
- Institute of Psychology & Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marco P Boks
- Institute of Psychology & Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center University Medical Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Geertjan Overbeek
- Research Institute of Child Development and Education, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Coe JL, Daniels T, Huffhines L, Seifer R, Marsit CJ, Kao HT, Porton B, Parade SH, Tyrka AR. Examining the Biological Impacts of Parent-Child Relationship Dynamics on Preschool-Aged Children who have Experienced Adversity. Dev Psychobiol 2024; 66:e22463. [PMID: 38601953 PMCID: PMC11003752 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22463] [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: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Parent-child relationship dynamics have been shown to predict socioemotional and behavioral outcomes for children, but little is known about how they may affect biological development. The aim of this study was to test if observational assessments of parent-child relationship dynamics (cohesion, enmeshment, and disengagement) were associated with three biological indices of early life adversity and downstream health risk: (1) methylation of the glucocorticoid receptor gene (NR3C1), (2) telomere attrition, and (3) mitochondrial biogenesis, indexed by mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn), all of which were measured in children's saliva. We tested hypotheses using a sample of 254 preschool-aged children (M age = 51.04 months) with and without child welfare-substantiated maltreatment (52% with documented case of moderate-severe maltreatment) who were racially and ethnically diverse (17% Black, 40% White, 23% biracial, and 20% other races; 45% Hispanic) and from primarily low-income backgrounds (91% qualified for public assistance). Results of path analyses revealed that: (1) higher parent-child cohesion was associated with lower levels of methylation of NR3C1 exon 1D and longer telomeres, and (2) higher parent-child disengagement was associated with higher levels of methylation of NR3C1 exon 1D and shorter telomeres. Results suggest that parent-child relationship dynamics may have distinct biological effects on children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse L. Coe
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
- Bradley/Hasbro Children’s Research Center, E.P. Bradley Hospital, East Providence, RI, USA
- Initiative on Stress, Trauma, and Resilience (STAR Initiative), Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Teresa Daniels
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
- Initiative on Stress, Trauma, and Resilience (STAR Initiative), Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
- Mood Disorders Research Program and Laboratory for Clinical and Translational Neuroscience, Butler Hospital, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Lindsay Huffhines
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
- Bradley/Hasbro Children’s Research Center, E.P. Bradley Hospital, East Providence, RI, USA
- Initiative on Stress, Trauma, and Resilience (STAR Initiative), Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Ronald Seifer
- Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Carmen J. Marsit
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Emory Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Emory Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Hung-Teh Kao
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Barbara Porton
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Stephanie H. Parade
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
- Bradley/Hasbro Children’s Research Center, E.P. Bradley Hospital, East Providence, RI, USA
- Initiative on Stress, Trauma, and Resilience (STAR Initiative), Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Audrey R. Tyrka
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
- Initiative on Stress, Trauma, and Resilience (STAR Initiative), Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
- Mood Disorders Research Program and Laboratory for Clinical and Translational Neuroscience, Butler Hospital, Providence, RI, USA
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Mietus-Snyder M, Perak AM, Cheng S, Hayman LL, Haynes N, Meikle PJ, Shah SH, Suglia SF. Next Generation, Modifiable Cardiometabolic Biomarkers: Mitochondrial Adaptation and Metabolic Resilience: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Circulation 2023; 148:1827-1845. [PMID: 37902008 DOI: 10.1161/cir.0000000000001185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2023]
Abstract
Cardiometabolic risk is increasing in prevalence across the life span with disproportionate ramifications for youth at socioeconomic disadvantage. Established risk factors and associated disease progression are harder to reverse as they become entrenched over time; if current trends are unchecked, the consequences for individual and societal wellness will become untenable. Interrelated root causes of ectopic adiposity and insulin resistance are understood but identified late in the trajectory of systemic metabolic dysregulation when traditional cardiometabolic risk factors cross current diagnostic thresholds of disease. Thus, children at cardiometabolic risk are often exposed to suboptimal metabolism over years before they present with clinical symptoms, at which point life-long reliance on pharmacotherapy may only mitigate but not reverse the risk. Leading-edge indicators are needed to detect the earliest departure from healthy metabolism, so that targeted, primordial, and primary prevention of cardiometabolic risk is possible. Better understanding of biomarkers that reflect the earliest transitions to dysmetabolism, beginning in utero, ideally biomarkers that are also mechanistic/causal and modifiable, is critically needed. This scientific statement explores emerging biomarkers of cardiometabolic risk across rapidly evolving and interrelated "omic" fields of research (the epigenome, microbiome, metabolome, lipidome, and inflammasome). Connections in each domain to mitochondrial function are identified that may mediate the favorable responses of each of the omic biomarkers featured to a heart-healthy lifestyle, notably to nutritional interventions. Fuller implementation of evidence-based nutrition must address environmental and socioeconomic disparities that can either facilitate or impede response to therapy.
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Li D, Chen J, Weng C, Huang X. Impact of the severity of brain injury on secondary adrenal insufficiency in traumatic brain injury patients and the influence of HPA axis dysfunction on prognosis. Int J Neurosci 2023:1-10. [PMID: 37933491 DOI: 10.1080/00207454.2023.2280450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate secondary adrenal insufficiency post varying traumatic brain injuries' and its impact on prognosis. METHODS 120 traumatic brain injury patients were categorized into mild, moderate and severe groups based on Glasgow Coma Scale. Adrenal function was evaluated through testing. RESULTS Secondary adrenal insufficiency rates were 0% (mild), 22.85% (moderate) and 44.82% (severe). Hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis dysfunction rates were 14.81% (mild), 42.85% (moderate) and 63.79% (severe). Differences among groups were significant (p < .05). Patients with intact hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis had shorter hospital stays and higher Glasgow Coma Scale scores. Receiver operating characteristic analysis of 24-h urinary free cortisol showed an area of 0.846, with a 17.62 μg/24h cutoff, 98.32% sensitivity and 52.37% specificity. In the low-dose adrenocorticotropic hormone test, with an 18 μg/dL cutoff, the receiver operating characteristic area was 0.546, with 46.28% sensitivity and 89.39% specificity. CONCLUSION As traumatic brain injury severity increases, secondary adrenal insufficiency incidence rises. The low-dose adrenocorticotropic hormone test is promising for hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis evaluation. Patients with hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal dysfunction experience prolonged hospitalization and worse prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongping Li
- Critical Care Medicine Department (ICU), Affiliated Hospital of Putian University, Putian, China
| | - Jianhui Chen
- Critical Care Medicine Department (ICU), Affiliated Hospital of Putian University, Putian, China
| | - Chunfa Weng
- Critical Care Medicine Department (ICU), Affiliated Hospital of Putian University, Putian, China
| | - Xiaohai Huang
- Critical Care Medicine Department (ICU), Affiliated Hospital of Putian University, Putian, China
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Kolb KL, Mira ALS, Auer ED, Bucco ID, de Lima e Silva CE, dos Santos PI, Hoch VBB, Oliveira LC, Hauser AB, Hundt JE, Shuldiner AR, Lopes FL, Boysen TJ, Franke A, Pinto LFR, Soares-Lima SC, Kretzschmar GC, Boldt ABW. Glucocorticoid Receptor Gene ( NR3C1) Polymorphisms and Metabolic Syndrome: Insights from the Mennonite Population. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1805. [PMID: 37761945 PMCID: PMC10530687 DOI: 10.3390/genes14091805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is associated with polymorphisms and the methylation degree of the glucocorticoid receptor gene (NR3C1) and is potentially involved in the development of metabolic syndrome (MetS). In order to evaluate the association between MetS with the polymorphisms, methylation, and gene expression of the NR3C1 in the genetically isolated Brazilian Mennonite population, we genotyped 20 NR3C1 polymorphisms in 74 affected (MetS) and 138 unaffected individuals without affected first-degree relatives (Co), using exome sequencing, as well as five variants from non-exonic regions, in 70 MetS and 166 Co, using mass spectrometry. The methylation levels of 11 1F CpG sites were quantified using pyrosequencing (66 MetS and 141 Co), and the NR3C1 expression was evaluated via RT-qPCR (14 MetS and 25 Co). Age, physical activity, and family environment during childhood were associated with MetS. Susceptibility to MetS, independent of these factors, was associated with homozygosity for rs10482605*C (OR = 4.74, pcorr = 0.024) and the haplotype containing TTCGTTGATT (rs3806855*T_ rs3806854*T_rs10482605*C_rs10482614*G_rs6188*T_rs258813*T_rs33944801*G_rs34176759*A_rs17209258*T_rs6196*T, OR = 4.74, pcorr = 0.048), as well as for the CCT haplotype (rs41423247*C_ rs6877893*C_rs258763*T), OR = 6.02, pcorr = 0.030), but not to the differences in methylation or gene expression. Thus, NR3C1 polymorphisms seem to modulate the susceptibility to MetS in Mennonites, independently of lifestyle and early childhood events, and their role seems to be unrelated to DNA methylation and gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen Liedtke Kolb
- Laboratory of Human Molecular Genetics, Department of Genetics, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Centro Politécnico, Jardim das Américas, Curitiba 81531-990, PR, Brazil; (K.L.K.); (A.L.S.M.); (E.D.A.); (I.D.B.); (C.E.d.L.e.S.); (P.I.d.S.); (V.B.-B.H.); (L.C.O.); (G.C.K.)
- Postgraduate Program in Genetics, Department of Genetics, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Centro Politécnico, Jardim das Américas, Curitiba 81531-990, PR, Brazil
| | - Ana Luiza Sprotte Mira
- Laboratory of Human Molecular Genetics, Department of Genetics, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Centro Politécnico, Jardim das Américas, Curitiba 81531-990, PR, Brazil; (K.L.K.); (A.L.S.M.); (E.D.A.); (I.D.B.); (C.E.d.L.e.S.); (P.I.d.S.); (V.B.-B.H.); (L.C.O.); (G.C.K.)
- Postgraduate Program in Genetics, Department of Genetics, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Centro Politécnico, Jardim das Américas, Curitiba 81531-990, PR, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Delabio Auer
- Laboratory of Human Molecular Genetics, Department of Genetics, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Centro Politécnico, Jardim das Américas, Curitiba 81531-990, PR, Brazil; (K.L.K.); (A.L.S.M.); (E.D.A.); (I.D.B.); (C.E.d.L.e.S.); (P.I.d.S.); (V.B.-B.H.); (L.C.O.); (G.C.K.)
- Postgraduate Program in Genetics, Department of Genetics, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Centro Politécnico, Jardim das Américas, Curitiba 81531-990, PR, Brazil
| | - Isabela Dall’Oglio Bucco
- Laboratory of Human Molecular Genetics, Department of Genetics, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Centro Politécnico, Jardim das Américas, Curitiba 81531-990, PR, Brazil; (K.L.K.); (A.L.S.M.); (E.D.A.); (I.D.B.); (C.E.d.L.e.S.); (P.I.d.S.); (V.B.-B.H.); (L.C.O.); (G.C.K.)
| | - Carla Eduarda de Lima e Silva
- Laboratory of Human Molecular Genetics, Department of Genetics, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Centro Politécnico, Jardim das Américas, Curitiba 81531-990, PR, Brazil; (K.L.K.); (A.L.S.M.); (E.D.A.); (I.D.B.); (C.E.d.L.e.S.); (P.I.d.S.); (V.B.-B.H.); (L.C.O.); (G.C.K.)
| | - Priscila Ianzen dos Santos
- Laboratory of Human Molecular Genetics, Department of Genetics, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Centro Politécnico, Jardim das Américas, Curitiba 81531-990, PR, Brazil; (K.L.K.); (A.L.S.M.); (E.D.A.); (I.D.B.); (C.E.d.L.e.S.); (P.I.d.S.); (V.B.-B.H.); (L.C.O.); (G.C.K.)
- Postgraduate Program in Internal Medicine, Medical Clinic Department, UFPR, Rua General Carneiro, 181, 11th Floor, Alto da Glória, Curitiba 80210-170, PR, Brazil
| | - Valéria Bumiller-Bini Hoch
- Laboratory of Human Molecular Genetics, Department of Genetics, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Centro Politécnico, Jardim das Américas, Curitiba 81531-990, PR, Brazil; (K.L.K.); (A.L.S.M.); (E.D.A.); (I.D.B.); (C.E.d.L.e.S.); (P.I.d.S.); (V.B.-B.H.); (L.C.O.); (G.C.K.)
| | - Luana Caroline Oliveira
- Laboratory of Human Molecular Genetics, Department of Genetics, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Centro Politécnico, Jardim das Américas, Curitiba 81531-990, PR, Brazil; (K.L.K.); (A.L.S.M.); (E.D.A.); (I.D.B.); (C.E.d.L.e.S.); (P.I.d.S.); (V.B.-B.H.); (L.C.O.); (G.C.K.)
| | - Aline Borsato Hauser
- Laboratory School of Clinical Analysis, Department of Pharmacy, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Av. Pref. Lothário Meissner, 632, Jardim Botânico, Curitiba 80210-170, PR, Brazil;
| | - Jennifer Elisabeth Hundt
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee, 160, Haus 32, 23562 Lübeck, Germany;
| | - Alan R. Shuldiner
- Regeneron Genetics Center, 777 Old Saw Mill River Road, Tarrytown, NY 10591, USA;
| | - Fabiana Leão Lopes
- Human Genetics Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, 35 Convent Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA;
- Institute of Psychiatry, Federal University Rio de Janeiro, Av. Venceslau Brás, 71, Rio de Janeiro 22290-140, RJ, Brazil
| | - Teide-Jens Boysen
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology (IKMB), Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, 24105 Kiel, Germany; (T.-J.B.); (A.F.)
| | - Andre Franke
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology (IKMB), Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, 24105 Kiel, Germany; (T.-J.B.); (A.F.)
| | - Luis Felipe Ribeiro Pinto
- Brazilian National Cancer Institute, Rua André Cavalcanti, 37, Rio de Janeiro 20231-050, RJ, Brazil; (L.F.R.P.); (S.C.S.-L.)
| | - Sheila Coelho Soares-Lima
- Brazilian National Cancer Institute, Rua André Cavalcanti, 37, Rio de Janeiro 20231-050, RJ, Brazil; (L.F.R.P.); (S.C.S.-L.)
| | - Gabriela Canalli Kretzschmar
- Laboratory of Human Molecular Genetics, Department of Genetics, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Centro Politécnico, Jardim das Américas, Curitiba 81531-990, PR, Brazil; (K.L.K.); (A.L.S.M.); (E.D.A.); (I.D.B.); (C.E.d.L.e.S.); (P.I.d.S.); (V.B.-B.H.); (L.C.O.); (G.C.K.)
- Postgraduate Program in Genetics, Department of Genetics, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Centro Politécnico, Jardim das Américas, Curitiba 81531-990, PR, Brazil
- Faculdades Pequeno Príncipe, Av. Iguaçu, 333, Curitiba 80230-020, PR, Brazil
- Instituto de Pesquisa Pelé Pequeno Príncipe, Av. Silva Jardim, 1632, Curitiba 80250-060, PR, Brazil
| | - Angelica Beate Winter Boldt
- Laboratory of Human Molecular Genetics, Department of Genetics, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Centro Politécnico, Jardim das Américas, Curitiba 81531-990, PR, Brazil; (K.L.K.); (A.L.S.M.); (E.D.A.); (I.D.B.); (C.E.d.L.e.S.); (P.I.d.S.); (V.B.-B.H.); (L.C.O.); (G.C.K.)
- Postgraduate Program in Genetics, Department of Genetics, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Centro Politécnico, Jardim das Américas, Curitiba 81531-990, PR, Brazil
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Hammann N, Kaess M, Rujescu D, Brunner R, Hartmann AM, Reichl C. Methylation of the Glucocorticoid Receptor Gene (NR3C1) in Adolescents with a History of Childhood Adversity Engaging in Non-Suicidal Self-Injury. Psychopathology 2023; 57:81-90. [PMID: 37531940 DOI: 10.1159/000531253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a large phenomenon among adolescents, and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are a major risk factor in its development. Malfunctioning of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis has been repeatedly reported for ACE as well as for NSSI. The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is essential for the correct functioning of the HPA axis, thus alterations in the expression of the GR through altered methylation of the GR gene (NR3C1) (and more specifically exon 1F) might contribute to the development of NSSI in individuals with a history of ACEs, as has been reported for different other mental disorders. METHODS In this case-control study, we compared the methylation levels of exon 1F of the GR gene (NR3C1-1F) in adolescents with engagement in NSSI (n = 67) and a healthy control group (HC; n = 47). We preserved buccal swabs and used a mass spectrometry-based method called EpiTYPER for analyzing mean methylation of NR3C1-1F. RESULTS Adolescents in the NSSI group reported significantly more ACEs. The mean methylation level was about 3% in both groups with no significant group differences. Furthermore, no significant relation was found between ACE and methylation of NR3C1-1F, neither in the overall sample nor in the NSSI or HC group. CONCLUSION Our results are contradictory to previous research showing an increased methylation in individuals with ACE. Regarding relations between methylation of NR3C1-1F and mental disorders, previous studies reported inconsistent findings. Our study points to NSSI being either unrelated to methylation of NR3C1-1F or to yet not identified moderators on relations between methylation of NR3C1-1F and engagement in NSSI during adolescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Hammann
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Center for Child and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael Kaess
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Dan Rujescu
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Comprehensive Center for Clinical Neurosciences and Mental Health, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Romuald Brunner
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Annette M Hartmann
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Comprehensive Center for Clinical Neurosciences and Mental Health, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Corinna Reichl
- University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Gladkova MG, Leidmaa E, Anderzhanova EA. Epidrugs in the Therapy of Central Nervous System Disorders: A Way to Drive on? Cells 2023; 12:1464. [PMID: 37296584 PMCID: PMC10253154 DOI: 10.3390/cells12111464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The polygenic nature of neurological and psychiatric syndromes and the significant impact of environmental factors on the underlying developmental, homeostatic, and neuroplastic mechanisms suggest that an efficient therapy for these disorders should be a complex one. Pharmacological interventions with drugs selectively influencing the epigenetic landscape (epidrugs) allow one to hit multiple targets, therefore, assumably addressing a wide spectrum of genetic and environmental mechanisms of central nervous system (CNS) disorders. The aim of this review is to understand what fundamental pathological mechanisms would be optimal to target with epidrugs in the treatment of neurological or psychiatric complications. To date, the use of histone deacetylases and DNA methyltransferase inhibitors (HDACis and DNMTis) in the clinic is focused on the treatment of neoplasms (mainly of a glial origin) and is based on the cytostatic and cytotoxic actions of these compounds. Preclinical data show that besides this activity, inhibitors of histone deacetylases, DNA methyltransferases, bromodomains, and ten-eleven translocation (TET) proteins impact the expression of neuroimmune inflammation mediators (cytokines and pro-apoptotic factors), neurotrophins (brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF)), ion channels, ionotropic receptors, as well as pathoproteins (β-amyloid, tau protein, and α-synuclein). Based on this profile of activities, epidrugs may be favorable as a treatment for neurodegenerative diseases. For the treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders, drug addiction, as well as anxiety disorders, depression, schizophrenia, and epilepsy, contemporary epidrugs still require further development concerning a tuning of pharmacological effects, reduction in toxicity, and development of efficient treatment protocols. A promising strategy to further clarify the potential targets of epidrugs as therapeutic means to cure neurological and psychiatric syndromes is the profiling of the epigenetic mechanisms, which have evolved upon actions of complex physiological lifestyle factors, such as diet and physical exercise, and which are effective in the management of neurodegenerative diseases and dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina G. Gladkova
- Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia
| | - Este Leidmaa
- Institute of Molecular Psychiatry, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
- Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Department of Physiology, University of Tartu, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
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11
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Yang L, Jia FF, Lu XY, Jia CX. Internalizing and externalizing problems mediate the relationship between maltreatment and self-harm among UK adolescents. J Affect Disord 2023; 333:240-248. [PMID: 37084976 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.04.046] [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: 02/26/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Maltreatment is a significant predictive factor for self-harm in adolescents. Internalizing and externalizing problems are both common psychopathological issues in adolescents. This study aimed to look into the link between maltreatment and self-harm in a large sample of adolescents in the UK, as well as the mediating effects that internalizing and externalizing problems play in this link. METHODS Data were pulled from the UK Millennium Cohort Study, and a total of 8894 adolescents were included in this analysis. All variables were assessed by Questionnaires. Path analysis was performed to assess the mediating effects of internalizing and externalizing problems in the link between maltreatment and self-harm. RESULTS 23.4 % of samples reported self-harm incidents during the preceding 12 months. Emotional abuse and physical abuse were significantly related to self-harm, and adolescents who had experienced multiple forms of maltreatment were more prone to self-harm. Mediation analysis revealed that internalizing problems were the primary mediator in the link between emotional abuse and self-harm, with the mediation effect size being 0.29. Internalizing and externalizing problems performed similarly in the link between physical abuse and self-harm, with mediation effect sizes of 0.23 and 0.19, respectively. LIMITATIONS The majority of the data was gathered through self-reporting. CONCLUSIONS Emotional abuse and physical abuse were significant predictors of self-harm, and their links with self-harm were partially mediated via internalizing and externalizing problems. Better supervision of maltreatment, and timely intervention for both internalizing and externalizing problems, are critical in preventing self-harm among adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Yang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Fei-Fei Jia
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.
| | - Xin-Yi Lu
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Cun-Xian Jia
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.
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Almeida TC, Fernandes RM, Cunha O. The role of positive childhood experiences in the link between childhood maltreatment and affective lability in a sample of incarcerated men and women. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2023; 135:105969. [PMID: 36436298 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2022.105969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Individuals with a history of child maltreatment (CM) tend to show high affective lability (AL) and criminal behavior. However, positive childhood experiences (PCEs) may act as a protective factor even in the presence of child maltreatment. OBJECTIVE The present study aimed to analyze the relationship between CM, PCEs, and AL in adulthood, identify the predictors of AL and analyze the moderating role of PCEs in the relationship between CM and AL in a sample of 424 incarcerated men (n = 343) and women (n = 81), aged between 18 and 73 years (M = 37.88). METHODS Participants responded to an online protocol consisting of a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), the Benevolent Childhood Experiences Scale (BCEs), and the Affective Lability Scale - Short Version (ALS-18). RESULTS CM was positively associated with AL and negatively associated with PCEs, and PCEs are negatively associated with AL. Regression analyses, after controlling for age, sex, and education, confirmed the role of PCEs on AL, above and beyond CM. However, moderation analysis showed that PCEs did not moderate the relationship between CM and AL for either men or women. CONCLUSIONS These results highlight the complexity of human development and behavior from early childhood into adulthood. Further studies are needed to better understand the role of PCEs in the relationship between ACEs and AL among inmates in order to develop more appropriate prevention and intervention programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Telma Catarina Almeida
- Instituto Universitário Egas Moniz (IUEM), Caparica, Portugal; CiiEM - Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar Egas Moniz, IUEM, Portugal; LabPSI - Laboratório de Psicologia Egas Moniz, IUEM, Portugal.
| | - Raquel Margarida Fernandes
- Instituto Universitário Egas Moniz (IUEM), Caparica, Portugal; LabPSI - Laboratório de Psicologia Egas Moniz, IUEM, Portugal
| | - Olga Cunha
- Universidade Lusófona do Porto, Portugal; Hei-Lab, Portugal
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de Souza MLM, Borçoi AR, Dutra BAB, Dos Santos Vieira T, Mendes SO, Nascimento IAA, Quaioto BR, Olinda AS, Cunha ER, Freitas FV, Pinheiro JA, Dos Santos JG, Sorroche BP, Arantes LMRB, Sartório CL, da Silva AMA. Lifestyle and NR3C1 exon 1F gene methylation is associated with changes in glucose levels and insulin resistance. Life Sci 2022; 309:120940. [PMID: 36108769 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2022.120940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
AIMS the present study aimed to investigate how glucose and insulin levels may be associated with changes in NR3C1 gene methylation levels in adults. MAIN METHODS 375 volunteers users of the Brazilian Public Unified Health System (SUS) were recruited to assess socioeconomic status, lifestyle, anthropometric data, blood glucose and serum cortisol levels, insulin resistance, and NR3C1 gene methylation assessment. Factors associated with glucose levels and insulin resistance were investigated using multivariate analysis GLzM at 5 % significance (p < 0.05). KEY FINDINGS our results verified that glucose levels and insulin resistance were directly related to NR3C1 gene methylation and age, while not being overweight and obese and no tobacco consumption were indirectly related to glucose levels and insulin resistance. SIGNIFICANCE habits and lifestyle may influence NR3C1 gene regulation, revealing the complexity of environmental impacts on NR3C1 methylation. Furthermore, associated risk factors must be taken into account in epigenetic studies as they directly interfere with blood glucose levels and insulin resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aline Ribeiro Borçoi
- Biotechnology/Renorbio Postgraduate Program, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, ES, Brazil
| | | | - Tamires Dos Santos Vieira
- Biotechnology/Renorbio Postgraduate Program, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, ES, Brazil
| | | | | | - Barbara Risse Quaioto
- Biotechnology/Renorbio Postgraduate Program, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, ES, Brazil
| | - Amanda Sgrancio Olinda
- Biotechnology/Renorbio Postgraduate Program, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, ES, Brazil
| | - Ester Ribeiro Cunha
- Biotechnology/Renorbio Postgraduate Program, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, ES, Brazil
| | - Flávia Vitorino Freitas
- Department of Pharmacy and Nutrition, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Alegre, ES, Brazil
| | - Julia Assis Pinheiro
- Biotechnology/Renorbio Postgraduate Program, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, ES, Brazil
| | | | - Bruna Pereira Sorroche
- Molecular Oncology Research Center, Hospital do Câncer de Barretos, Barretos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Carmem Luíza Sartório
- Biotechnology/Renorbio Postgraduate Program, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, ES, Brazil
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Saadatmand F, Abbas M, Apprey V, Tailor K, Kwabi-Addo B. Sex differences in saliva-based DNA methylation changes and environmental stressor in young African American adults. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0273717. [PMID: 36067197 PMCID: PMC9447871 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0273717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Low socioeconomic status neighborhood exposure to stress and violence may be sources of negative stimuli that poses significant health risks for children, adolescents and throughout the life course of an individual. The study aims to investigate if aberrant epigenetic DNA methylation changes may be a potential mechanism for regulating neighborhood exposures and health outcomes. METHODS Exposure to environmental stressors identified in 98 young African American (AA) adults aged 18-25 years old from the Washington D.C., area were used in the study. We correlated the association between stress markers; cortisol, CRP, IgG, IGA, IgM, and self-reported exposure to violence and stress, with quantitative DNA methylation changes in a panel of gene-specific loci using saliva DNA. RESULTS In all participants studied, the exposure to violence was significant and negatively correlated with DNA methylation of MST1R loci (p = 0.032; r = -0.971) and nominally significant with NR3C1 loci (p = 0.053; r = -0.948). In addition, we observed significant and negative correlation of DNA methylation changes of LINE1 (p = 0.044; r = -0.248); NR3C1 (p = 0.017; r = -0.186); MSTR1 (p = 0.022; r = -0.192); and DRD2 (p = 0.056; r = -0.184; albeit nominal significant correlation) with IgA expression. On the other hand, we observed a significant and position correlation of DNA methylation changes in DRD2 (p = 0.037; r = 0.184) with IgG expression. When participants were stratified by sex, we observed in AA young male adults, significant DNA methylation changes of MST1R (p< 0.05) and association with exposure to violence and IgG level. We also observed significant DNA methylation levels of DRD2 (p< 0.05) and association with IgA, IgG, and cortisol level. Furthermore, we observed significant DNA methylation changes of NR3C1 (p< 0.05) with stress, IgA, and IgG in the male participants only. On the other hand, we only observed significant and a positive association of IgG with DNA methylation levels of ESR1 (p = 0.041) in the young AA female participants. CONCLUSION Our preliminary observation of significant DNA methylation changes in neuronal and immune genes in saliva samples supports our recently published genome-wide DNA methylations changes in blood samples from young AA male adults indicating that saliva offers a non-invasive means for DNA methylation prediction of exposure to environmental stressors in a gender-specific manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Forough Saadatmand
- Department of Pediatrics, Howard University, Washington, D.C., United States of America
| | - Muneer Abbas
- Department of Microbiology & The National Human Genome Center, Howard University, Washington, D.C., United States of America
| | - Victor Apprey
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Howard University, Washington, D.C., United States of America
| | - Krishma Tailor
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Howard University, Washington, D.C., United States of America
| | - Bernard Kwabi-Addo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Howard University, Washington, D.C., United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Zou Z, Xiang M, Zhang Y, Huang Y, Wang J, He Y, Min W, Zhou B. Associations of DNA methylation of HPA axis-related genes and neuroendocrine abnormalities in panic disorder. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2022; 142:105777. [PMID: 35504198 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2022.105777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of aberrant DNA methylation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis-related genes (CRHR1, CRHR2, CRH, FKBP5, HSP90AA1, NR3C1, and POMC) in panic disorder (PD) development. We investigated the correlation among gene methylation levels, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol, and PD severity in patients. METHODS We compared the methylation levels of HPA axis-related genes between 178 patients with PD and 184 healthy controls using MethylTarget. We then measured ACTH and cortisol levels using chemiluminescence. Disease severity was assessed using the Panic Disorder Severity Scale. RESULTS Compared with healthy controls, patients with PD displayed significantly higher levels of ACTH and cortisol, and significantly reduced methylation levels of CRHR1, FKBP5, HSP90AA1, and NR3C1 after correcting for multiple testing using the false discovery method. A significant positive correlation was observed between the methylation of CRHR1, CRHR2, and NR3C1 and ACTH levels in patients with PD, and methylation levels of CRHR1 and NR3C1 were significantly positively related to cortisol levels. In addition, a negative correlation was observed between PD severity and the methylation of CRH, CRHR1, CRHR2, and HSP90AA1. CONCLUSION Aberrant methylation of HPA axis-related genes may predict PD development and impact ACTH and cortisol levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhili Zou
- Provincial Center for Mental Health, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu 610072, China; Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China.
| | - Miao Xiang
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China
| | - Yuan Zhang
- Personalized Drug Therapy Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Yulan Huang
- Provincial Center for Mental Health, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Jinyu Wang
- Provincial Center for Mental Health, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Ying He
- Provincial Center for Mental Health, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Wenjiao Min
- Provincial Center for Mental Health, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Bo Zhou
- Provincial Center for Mental Health, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu 610072, China; Key Laboratory of psychosomatic medicine,Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu 610072, China.
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Öztürk KH, Ünal GÖ, Doğuç DK, Toğay VA, Koşar PA, Sezik M. Hypothalamic NR3C1 DNA methylation in rats exposed to prenatal stress. Mol Biol Rep 2022; 49:7921-7928. [PMID: 35661969 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-022-07626-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human and animal studies have indicated that maternal prenatal stress (PS) has molecular and behavioral effects during pregnancy and early life. The present study aimed to evaluate the epigenetic changes of the NR3C1 gene involved in the HPA axis in the hypothalamic tissues of rats exposed to PS induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). Behavioral and molecular effects of these changes on the next generation were also assessed. METHODS AND RESULTS CUMS protocol was used to generate stress in pregnant Wistar rats. To determine the effects of stress on anhedonia and movement, sucrose preference test, forced swimming test, and open field test were performed. Following these behavioral experiments, bisulfite sequencing PCR for DNA methylation levels of the NR3C1 gene, RT-qPCR for mRNA levels, and Western blot techniques for protein analysis were used in the hypothalamic tissue of sacrificed rats. Depression-like behaviors were evident in the behavioral tests of stress-exposed mothers and pups. In PS-exposed pups, hypothalamic NR3C1 promoter methylation was higher, and NR3C1 mRNA levels and NR3C1 protein levels were lower compared with controls, regardless of sex. CONCLUSION Our results confirm the relationship between PS and epigenetic changes of HPA axis-related genes and show that NR3C1 gene methylation status in pups is sensitive to PS during pregnancy. Environmental maternal stress may have transgenerational effects that are potentially associated with adverse outcomes in the pups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuyaş Hekimler Öztürk
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Süleyman Demirel University, 32260, Isparta, Turkey.
| | - Gülin Özdamar Ünal
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Süleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Turkey
| | - Duygu Kumbul Doğuç
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Süleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Turkey
| | - Vehbi Atahan Toğay
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Süleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Turkey
| | - Pınar Aslan Koşar
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Süleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Turkey
| | - Mekin Sezik
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Süleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Turkey
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Provenzi L, Grumi S, Rodrigo MJ. Editorial: Neural and Epigenetic Factors in Parenting, Individual Differences and Dyadic Processes. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12040478. [PMID: 35448009 PMCID: PMC9028230 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12040478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Livio Provenzi
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy;
- Correspondence:
| | - Serena Grumi
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy;
| | - Maria José Rodrigo
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Education, Faculty of Psychology, University of La Laguna, 38200 La Laguna, Spain;
- University Institute of Neuroscience, University of La Laguna, 38200 La Laguna, Spain
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Keeshin BR, Monson E. Assessing and Responding to the Trauma of Child Maltreatment. FOCUS (AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC PUBLISHING) 2022; 20:176-183. [PMID: 37153127 PMCID: PMC10153498 DOI: 10.1176/appi.focus.20210033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Child maltreatment is a significant risk factor for severe psychiatric outcomes in childhood and contributes to problematic symptoms that direct parents, teachers, or other invested parties to seek psychiatric intervention. With ongoing workforce shortages, much of the pediatric psychiatric care to this population is delivered by generalists. Child maltreatment and trauma can critically alter a child's development trajectory, affecting potential success in school and other important life pursuits. In addition, child maltreatment and resultant traumatic stress can dramatically disrupt child and adolescent development of healthy emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and the ability to form effective interpersonal relationships. Such disruption can lead to presentations within children and adolescents that mimic other symptoms of psychopathology but that typically respond poorly to traditional psychopharmacology. Ineffective treatment trials can lead to increased risk of polypharmacy and inaccurate expectations for treatment benefits. Such treatment efforts may impede addressing important environmental contributors and delay indicated therapeutic strategies. This article seeks to review child maltreatment-including core features and prevalence, overlap of child maltreatment with adverse childhood experiences, developmental impacts of exposure and resultant traumatic stress, guidance for appropriate assessment, and evidence-based interventions-and provide basic deprescribing guidelines to reduce polypharmacy burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brooks R Keeshin
- Department of Pediatrics (Keeshin) and Department of Psychiatry (Monson), Huntsman Mental Health Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City
| | - Eric Monson
- Department of Pediatrics (Keeshin) and Department of Psychiatry (Monson), Huntsman Mental Health Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City
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