1
|
Vidal AC, Sosnowski DW, Marchesoni J, Grenier C, Thorp J, Murphy SK, Johnson SB, Schlief W, Hoyo C. Maternal adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and offspring imprinted gene DMR methylation at birth. Epigenetics 2024; 19:2293412. [PMID: 38100614 PMCID: PMC10730185 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2023.2293412] [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: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) contribute to numerous negative health outcomes across the life course and across generations. Here, we extend prior work by examining the association of maternal ACEs, and their interaction with financial stress and discrimination, with methylation status within eight differentially methylated regions (DMRs) in imprinted domains in newborns. ACEs, financial stress during pregnancy, and experience of discrimination were self-reported among 232 pregnant women. DNA methylation was assessed at PEG10/SGCE, NNAT, IGF2, H19, PLAGL1, PEG3, MEG3-IG, and DLK1/MEG3 regulatory sequences using pyrosequencing. Using multivariable linear regression models, we found evidence to suggest that financial stress was associated with hypermethylation of MEG3-IG in non-Hispanic White newborns; discrimination was associated with hypermethylation of IGF2 and NNAT in Hispanic newborns, and with hypomethylation of PEG3 in non-Hispanic Black newborns. We also found evidence that maternal ACEs interacted with discrimination to predict offspring PLAGL1 altered DMR methylation, in addition to interactions between maternal ACEs score and discrimination predicting H19 and SGCE/PEG10 altered methylation in non-Hispanic White newborns. However, these interactions were not statistically significant after multiple testing corrections. Findings from this study suggest that maternal ACEs, discrimination, and financial stress are associated with newborn aberrant methylation in imprinted gene regions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adriana C. Vidal
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - David W. Sosnowski
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Joddy Marchesoni
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Carole Grenier
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - John Thorp
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maternal and Child Health, UNC Gillings School of Public Health, UNC, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Susan K. Murphy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Sara B. Johnson
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Population, Family & Reproductive Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - William Schlief
- Johns Hopkins All Children’s Pediatric Biorepository, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, St. Petersburg, FL, USA
| | - Cathrine Hoyo
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Graf S, Schechter DS. The Impact of Maternal Interpersonal Violent Trauma and Related Psychopathology on Child Outcomes and Intergenerational Transmission. Curr Psychiatry Rep 2024; 26:166-175. [PMID: 38427205 PMCID: PMC10978628 DOI: 10.1007/s11920-024-01491-7] [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] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review aims to outline some consequences that maternal history of trauma with and without related psychopathology, such as posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), can have on their children's development and functioning. It then addresses mechanisms through which intergenerational transmission of interpersonal violence (IPV) and related psychopathology may occur. RECENT FINDINGS Findings include the effects of maternal IPV experience and related psychopathology on child social-emotional and biologically-based outcomes. This includes increased developmental disturbances and child psychopathology, as well as physiological factors. Secondly, the review focuses on psychobiological mechanisms by which maternal experience of IPV and related psychopathology likely trigger intergenerational effects. Maternal IPV and related psychopathology can have a negative impact on several areas of their child's life including development, interactive behavior, psychopathology, and physiology. This transmission may partially be due to fetal and perinatal processes, genetic and epigenetic effects, and interactions with their parents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shannen Graf
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), SUPEA-Unité de recherche, Avenue d'Echallens 9, 1004, Lausanne, Switzerland.
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Daniel S Schechter
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), SUPEA-Unité de recherche, Avenue d'Echallens 9, 1004, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Sosnowski DW, Rojo-Wissar DM, Peng G, Parade SH, Sharkey K, Hoyo C, Murphy SK, Hernandez RG, Johnson SB. Maternal Childhood Adversity and Infant Epigenetic Aging: Moderation by Restless Sleep During Pregnancy. Dev Psychobiol 2024; 66:e22464. [PMID: 38601952 PMCID: PMC11003750 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22464] [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: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Maternal exposure to childhood adversity is associated with detrimental health outcomes throughout the lifespan and may have implications for offspring. Evidence links maternal adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) to detrimental birth outcomes, yet the impact on the infant's epigenome is unclear. Moreover, maternal sleep habits during pregnancy may influence this association. Here, we explore whether restless sleep during pregnancy moderates the association between exposure to maternal childhood adversity and infant epigenetic age acceleration in 332 mother-infant dyads (56% female; 39% Black; 25% Hispanic). During the 2nd trimester, mothers self-reported childhood adversity and past-week restless sleep; DNA methylation from umbilical vein endothelial cells was used to estimate five epigenetic clocks. Multivariable linear regression was used to test study hypotheses. Despite no evidence of main effects, there was evidence of an interaction between maternal ACEs and restless sleep in predicting infant epigenetic age acceleration using the EPIC Gestational Age clock. Only infants whose mothers reported exposure to both ACEs and restless sleep demonstrated accelerated epigenetic aging. Results provide preliminary evidence that maternal childhood adversity and sleep may influence the infant epigenome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David W. Sosnowski
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
| | - Darlynn M. Rojo-Wissar
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
- Bradley/Hasbro Children’s Research Center, E.P. Bradley Hospital
| | - Gang Peng
- Department of Medical & Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine
| | - Stephanie H. Parade
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
- Bradley/Hasbro Children’s Research Center, E.P. Bradley Hospital
| | - Katherine Sharkey
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
- Department of Medicine, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
| | - Cathrine Hoyo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Human Health and the Environment North Carolina State University
| | - Susan K. Murphy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University School of Medicine
| | | | - Sara B. Johnson
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Lee JB, Ross KM, Ntanda H, Fiest KM, Letourneau N. Mothers' and Children's Mental Distress and Family Strain during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Prospective Cohort Study. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 10:1725. [PMID: 38002816 PMCID: PMC10670161 DOI: 10.3390/children10111725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic had a widespread impact on families with dependent children. To better understand the impact of the pandemic on families' health and relationships, we examined the association between mothers' and children's mental distress and family strain. METHODS Three waves of the COVID-19 Impact Survey were analyzed, collected from a subsample of mother-child pairs (n = 157) from the Alberta Pregnancy Outcomes and Nutrition (APrON) longitudinal cohort in Alberta, Canada. Latent class analyses were performed to determine patterns and group memberships in mothers' and children's mental distress and family strain. Multivariable logistic regression models were conducted to test associations between mothers' and children's mental distress and family strain trajectory classes. RESULTS Mothers with medium/high levels of mental distress were at increased odds of experiencing high family strain compared to those with low levels of distress (medium aOR = 3.90 [95% CI: 1.08-14.03]; high aOR = 4.57 [95% CI: 1.03-20.25]). The association between children's mental distress and family strain was not significant (aOR = 1.75 [95% CI: 0.56-5.20]). CONCLUSION Mothers' mental distress, but not children's, was associated with family strain during the pandemic. More distressed individuals experienced greater family strain over time, suggesting that this association may become a chronic problem.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Janelle Boram Lee
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada; (J.B.L.); (K.M.F.)
- Owerko Centre, Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T3B 2X9, Canada;
| | - Kharah M. Ross
- Department of Psychology, Centre for Social Sciences, Athabasca University, Athabasca, AB T9S 3A3, Canada;
| | - Henry Ntanda
- Owerko Centre, Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T3B 2X9, Canada;
| | - Kirsten M. Fiest
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada; (J.B.L.); (K.M.F.)
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Nicole Letourneau
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada; (J.B.L.); (K.M.F.)
- Owerko Centre, Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T3B 2X9, Canada;
- Department of Psychiatry, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
- Faculty of Nursing, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
- Department of Paediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
| | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Collender P, Bozack AK, Veazie S, Nwanaji-Enwerem JC, Van Der Laan L, Kogut K, Riddell C, Eskenazi B, Holland N, Deardorff J, Cardenas A. Maternal adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and DNA methylation of newborns in cord blood. Clin Epigenetics 2023; 15:162. [PMID: 37845746 PMCID: PMC10577922 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-023-01581-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) increase the risk of poor health outcomes later in life. Psychosocial stressors may also have intergenerational health effects by which parental ACEs are associated with mental and physical health of children. Epigenetic programming may be one mechanism linking parental ACEs to child health. This study aimed to investigate epigenome-wide associations of maternal preconception ACEs with DNA methylation patterns of children. In the Center for the Health Assessment of Mothers and Children of Salinas study, cord blood DNA methylation was measured using the Illumina HumanMethylation450 BeadChip. Preconception ACEs, which occurred during the mothers' childhoods, were collected using a standard ACE questionnaire including 10 ACE indicators. Maternal ACE exposures were defined in this study as (1) the total number of ACEs; (2) the total number of ACEs categorized as 0, 1-3, and > 4; and (3) individual ACEs. Associations of ACE exposures with differential methylated positions, regions, and CpG modules determined using weighted gene co-expression network analysis were evaluated adjusting for covariates. RESULTS Data on maternal ACEs and cord blood DNA methylation were available for 196 mother/newborn pairs. One differential methylated position was associated with maternal experience of emotional abuse (cg05486260/FAM135B gene; q value < 0.05). Five differential methylated regions were significantly associated with the total number of ACEs, and 36 unique differential methylated regions were associated with individual ACEs (Šidák p value < 0.05). Fifteen CpG modules were significantly correlated with the total number of ACEs or individual ACEs, of which 8 remained significant in fully adjusted models (p value < 0.05). Significant modules were enriched for pathways related to neurological and immune development and function. CONCLUSIONS Maternal ACEs prior to conception were associated with cord blood DNA methylation of offspring at birth. Although there was limited overlap between differential methylated regions and CpGs in modules associated with ACE exposures, statistically significant regions and networks were related to genes involved in neurological and immune function. Findings may provide insights to pathways linking psychosocial stressors to health. Further research is needed to understand the relationship between changes in DNA methylation and child health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Phillip Collender
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Anne K Bozack
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford University School of Medicine, Research Park, 1701 Page Mill Road, Stanford, CA, 94304, USA
| | - Stephanie Veazie
- Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Jamaji C Nwanaji-Enwerem
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Lars Van Der Laan
- Department of Statistics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Katherine Kogut
- Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Center for Environmental Research of Community Health, CERCH, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Corinne Riddell
- Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Division of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Brenda Eskenazi
- Center for Environmental Research of Community Health, CERCH, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Division of Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Nina Holland
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Center for Environmental Research of Community Health, CERCH, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Julianna Deardorff
- Center for Environmental Research of Community Health, CERCH, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Division of Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Andres Cardenas
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford University School of Medicine, Research Park, 1701 Page Mill Road, Stanford, CA, 94304, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Zhou A, Ryan J. Biological Embedding of Early-Life Adversity and a Scoping Review of the Evidence for Intergenerational Epigenetic Transmission of Stress and Trauma in Humans. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1639. [PMID: 37628690 PMCID: PMC10454883 DOI: 10.3390/genes14081639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe or chronic stress and trauma can have a detrimental impact on health. Evidence suggests that early-life adversity can become biologically embedded and has the potential to influence health outcomes decades later. Epigenetics is one mechanism that has been implicated in these long-lasting effects. Observational studies in humans indicate that the effects of stress could even persist across generations, although whether or not epigenetic mechanisms are involved remains under debate. Here, we provide an overview of studies in animals and humans that demonstrate the effects of early-life stress on DNA methylation, one of the most widely studied epigenetic mechanisms, and summarize findings from animal models demonstrating the involvement of epigenetics in the transmission of stress across generations. We then describe the results of a scoping review to determine the extent to which the terms intergenerational or transgenerational have been used in human studies investigating the transmission of trauma and stress via epigenetic mechanisms. We end with a discussion of key areas for future research to advance understanding of the role of epigenetics in the legacy effects of stress and trauma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aoshuang Zhou
- Division of Epidemiology, Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Joanne Ryan
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| |
Collapse
|