Childhood abuse, promoter methylation of leukocyte NR3C1 and the potential modifying effect of emotional support. (November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shields, Alexandra E; Wise, Lauren A; Ruiz-Narvaez, Edward A; Seddighzadeh, Bobak; Byun, Hyang-Min; Cozier, Yvette C; Rosenberg, Lynn; Palmer, Julie R; Baccarelli, Andrea A
• Is Part Of: Epigenomics. Volume 8:Number 11(2016)
• Page Start: 1507
• Page End: 1517
• Publication Date: 2016-11
• Subjects: abuse -- African–Americans -- child maltreatment -- CpG island shore -- DNA methylation -- epigenetic epidemiology -- glucocorticoid receptor -- health disparities -- NR3C1 -- violence; Epigenesis -- Periodicals; Genomics -- Periodicals; Chromatin -- Periodicals; DNA -- Periodicals; 572.87
• DOI: 10.2217/epi-2016-0074
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1750-1911

Abstract

Aim: To investigate childhood abuse victimization in relation to adult DNA methylation levels in a novel region of NR3C1, with emotional support as a possible modifier.Materials & methods: 295 participants from the Black Women's Health Study. Multivariable linear regression models were used to compute differences in mean percent methylation levels.Results: Women reporting childhood abuse victimization exhibited higher mean NR3C1 methylation levels than nonabused women, with a clear dose–response relationship. Childhood emotional support appeared to attenuate associations only among women with the highest levels of physical and sexual abuse.Conclusion: NR3C1 mean methylation was higher among women who reported childhood abuse. Further research is warranted to clarify whether or the extent to which childhood emotional support buffers the association.