Wang Chengqi, Uddin Monica, Wani Agaz, Graham Zachary, Ratanatharathorn Andrew, Aiello Allison, Koenen Karestan, Maggio Mackenzie, Wildman Derek
University of South Florida.
Columbia University.
Res Sq. 2025 Mar 17:rs.3.rs-5867503. doi: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-5867503/v1.
Epigenetics influence and are influenced by the impact of social and environmental challenges on biological outcomes. Therefore, pinpointing epigenetic factors associated with social adversity and traumatic stress enables understanding of the mechanisms underlying vulnerability and resilience. We hypothesized that micro-RNAs (miRNAs) expression may be associated with post-traumatic stress disorder symptom severity (i.e., PTSS) following exposure to social adversity. To test this hypothesis, we leveraged blood-derived RNA samples (n=632) and social adversity data from 483 unique participants in the Detroit Neighborhood Health Study, a community-based, prospective cohort of predominantly African Americans. Results identified 86 miRNAs that are associated with social adversities (financial difficulties, perceived discrimination, cumulative trauma) and PTSS. These miRNAs are primarily involved in the immune response, brain and neural function, as well as cell cycle and differentiation, and 22(25%) have previously been associated with conditions related to PTSD, including traumatic brain injury and stress response. Our findings offer a fresh perspective on understanding the epigenetic role of miRNA in the interaction between social adversity and traumatic stress.
表观遗传学影响生物结果，同时也受到社会和环境挑战的影响。因此，确定与社会逆境和创伤性应激相关的表观遗传因素，有助于理解脆弱性和恢复力背后的机制。我们假设，在经历社会逆境后，微小RNA（miRNA）的表达可能与创伤后应激障碍症状严重程度（即PTSD症状严重程度）相关。为了验证这一假设，我们利用了底特律邻里健康研究中483名独特参与者的血液来源RNA样本（n = 632）和社会逆境数据，该研究是一个以社区为基础的前瞻性队列研究，主要参与者为非裔美国人。结果确定了86种与社会逆境（经济困难、感知到的歧视、累积创伤）和PTSD症状严重程度相关的miRNA。这些miRNA主要参与免疫反应、大脑和神经功能，以及细胞周期和分化，其中22种（25%）此前已与包括创伤性脑损伤和应激反应在内的与PTSD相关的疾病有关。我们的研究结果为理解miRNA在社会逆境与创伤性应激相互作用中的表观遗传作用提供了新的视角。
