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Publication Detail

Title: Epigenome-wide meta-analysis of PTSD across 10 military and civilian cohorts identifies methylation changes in AHRR.

Authors: Smith, Alicia K; Ratanatharathorn, Andrew; Maihofer, Adam X; Naviaux, Robert K; Aiello, Allison E; Amstadter, Ananda B; Ashley-Koch, Allison E; Baker, Dewleen G; Beckham, Jean C; Boks, Marco P; Bromet, Evelyn; Dennis, Michelle; Galea, Sandro; Garrett, Melanie E; Geuze, Elbert; Guffanti, Guia; Hauser, Michael A; Katrinli, Seyma; Kilaru, Varun; Kessler, Ronald C; Kimbrel, Nathan A; Koenen, Karestan C; Kuan, Pei-Fen; Li, Kefeng; Logue, Mark W; Lori, Adriana; Luft, Benjamin J; Miller, Mark W; Naviaux, Jane C; Nugent, Nicole R; Qin, Xuejun; Ressler, Kerry J; Risbrough, Victoria B; Rutten, Bart P F; Stein, Murray B; Ursano, Robert J; Vermetten, Eric; Vinkers, Christiaan H; Wang, Lin; Youssef, Nagy A; INTRuST Clinical Consortium; VA Mid-Atlantic MIRECC Workgroup; PGC PTSD Epigenetics Workgroup; Uddin, Monica; Nievergelt, Caroline M

Published In Nat Commun, (2020 Nov 24)

Abstract: Epigenetic differences may help to distinguish between PTSD cases and trauma-exposed controls. Here, we describe the results of the largest DNA methylation meta-analysis of PTSD to date. Ten cohorts, military and civilian, contribute blood-derived DNA methylation data from 1,896 PTSD cases and trauma-exposed controls. Four CpG sites within the aryl-hydrocarbon receptor repressor (AHRR) associate with PTSD after adjustment for multiple comparisons, with lower DNA methylation in PTSD cases relative to controls. Although AHRR methylation is known to associate with smoking, the AHRR association with PTSD is most pronounced in non-smokers, suggesting the result was independent of smoking status. Evaluation of metabolomics data reveals that AHRR methylation associated with kynurenine levels, which are lower among subjects with PTSD. This study supports epigenetic differences in those with PTSD and suggests a role for decreased kynurenine as a contributor to immune dysregulation in PTSD.

PubMed ID: 33235198 Exiting the NIEHS site

MeSH Terms: No MeSH terms associated with this publication

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