Dataset Information

Personality and gene expression: Do individual differences exist in the leukocyte transcriptome?

ABSTRACT: The temporal and situational stability of personality has led generations of researchers to hypothesize that personality may have enduring effects on health, but the biological mechanisms of such relationships remain poorly understood. In the present study, we utilized a functional genomics approach to examine the relationship between the 5 major dimensions of personality and patterns of gene expression as predicted by 'behavioural immune response' theory. We specifically focussed on two sets of genes previously linked to stress, threat, and adverse socio-environmental conditions: pro-inflammatory genes and genes involved in Type I interferon and antibody responses.An opportunity sample of 121 healthy individuals was recruited (86 females; mean age 24 years). Individuals completed a validated measure of personality; questions relating to current health behaviours; and provided a 5ml sample of peripheral blood for gene expression analysis.Extraversion was associated with increased expression of pro-inflammatory genes and Conscientiousness was associated with reduced expression of pro-inflammatory genes. Both associations were independent of health behaviours, negative affect, and leukocyte subset distributions. Antiviral and antibody-related gene expression was not associated with any personality dimension.The present data shed new light on the long-observed epidemiological associations between personality, physical health, and human longevity. Further research is required to elucidate the biological mechanisms underlying these associations.

SUBMITTER: Vedhara K

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4297539 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Personality and gene expression: Do individual differences exist in the leukocyte transcriptome?

Vedhara Kavita K Gill Sana S Eldesouky Lameese L Campbell Bruce K BK Arevalo Jesusa M G JM Ma Jeffrey J Cole Steven W SW

Psychoneuroendocrinology 20141111

<h4>Background</h4>The temporal and situational stability of personality has led generations of researchers to hypothesize that personality may have enduring effects on health, but the biological mechanisms of such relationships remain poorly understood. In the present study, we utilized a functional genomics approach to examine the relationship between the 5 major dimensions of personality and patterns of gene expression as predicted by 'behavioural immune response' theory. We specifically focu ...[more]

PMID: 25459894

Similar Datasets

Project description:BackgroundBemisia tabaci Gennadius (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is a serious pest of crops in different regions of the world. Our recent studies on the joint application of Akanthomyces attenuatus (a pathogenic insect fungus) and matrine (a botanical insecticide) against B. tabaci have shown promising results. Using RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq), we identified differentially expressed genes involved in whitefly responses to single or mixed applications of A. attenuatus and matrine.MethodsIn this study, we compared the transcriptome profiles of B. tabaci treated with individual and combined treatments of A. attenuatus and matrine to determine variations in gene expression among whiteflies in response to different treatments.ResultsTranscriptomic data analysis showed differential expression of 71, 1194, and 51 genes in response to A. attenuatus (BtA), matrine (BtM), and A. attenuatus + matrine (BtAM) treatment, respectively. A total of 65 common differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between whiteflies treated with A. attenuatus (BtA) and matrine (BtM). A comparison of DEGs across the three treatments (BtA, BtM, and BtAM) revealed two common DEGs. The results also revealed that AMPK signaling, apoptosis, and drug metabolism pathways are likely involved in whitefly defense responses against A. attenuatus and matrine infection. Furthermore, a notable suppression of general metabolism and immune response genes was observed in whiteflies treated with A. attenuatus + matrine (BtAM) compared to whiteflies treated with individual A. attenuatus (BtA) or matrine (BtM) treatments.ConclusionDynamic changes in the number of differentially expressed genes were observed in B. tabaci subjected to different treatments (BtA, BtM, and BtAM). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the molecular interactions between whitefly and individual or combined treatments of A. attenuatus and matrine. These results will further improve our knowledge of the infection mechanism and complex biochemical processes involved in the synergistic action of A. attenuatus and matrine against B. tabaci.

Dataset Information

Personality and gene expression: Do individual differences exist in the leukocyte transcriptome?

Publications

Personality and gene expression: Do individual differences exist in the leukocyte transcriptome?

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets