Project description:Characterization of Whole Genome DNA Methylation Profile Associated with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in OIF/OEF Veterans [bisulfite-converted DNA]
Project description:This project aims to characterize the transgenerational genomic impact of genocide exposure and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in women survivors of the Rwandan genocide and their offspring.
Project description:Emerging knowledge suggests that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is causally associated with epigenetic changes although its molecular underpinnings are still largely elusive. We postulate that differentially methylated probes mined from peripheral whole blood could be candidates for potential PTSD diagnostic signatures. Working within the Systems Biology PTSD Biomarker Consortium (SBPBC), we investigated a training set comprising of 48 PTSD male veterans (CAPS > 40) and 51 age/ethnicity matched controls (CAPS < 20). Agilent whole genome array detected ~5,600 differentially methylated CpG islands (CpGI) annotated to ~2,800 differentially methylated genes (DMG). The majority (84.5%) of these DMGs was hypermethylated in PTSD veterans. Thereof ~30% promoter-bound DMGs were used for functional analysis. Taking cues from the clinical information, the curated networks were enlisted into four major clusters, namely PTSD-associated complications, PTSD-relevant endocrine signaling, nervous system development and nervous system functions. Enduring impacts of PTSD was manifested by differentially methylated genes enriching networks associated with LTP, fear memory architecture and complications linked to insulin resistance and innate immunity. These networks were further validated by an independent test set comprising of 31/29 PTSD+/- veteran selected using aforementioned screening protocol. Two independent assay platforms presented technical validations. Probing the combined 83/83 PTSD+/- cohort, whole genome array from Illumina, Inc. validated most of the networks of interest. Methylation statuses of eight DMGs relevant to PTSD and comorbidities were confirmed by targeted bisulfite sequencing. This list presents a potential set of PTSD biomarkers of translational potential.
Project description:Emerging knowledge suggests that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is causally associated with epigenetic changes although its molecular underpinnings are still largely elusive. We postulate that differentially methylated probes mined from peripheral whole blood could be candidates for potential PTSD diagnostic signatures. Working within the Systems Biology PTSD Biomarker Consortium (SBPBC), we investigated a training set comprising of 48 PTSD male veterans (CAPS > 40) and 51 age/ethnicity matched controls (CAPS < 20). Agilent whole genome array detected ~5,600 differentially methylated CpG islands (CpGI) annotated to ~2,800 differentially methylated genes (DMG). The majority (84.5%) of these DMGs was hypermethylated in PTSD veterans. Thereof ~30% promoter-bound DMGs were used for functional analysis. Taking cues from the clinical information, the curated networks were enlisted into four major clusters, namely PTSD-associated complications, PTSD-relevant endocrine signaling, nervous system development and nervous system functions. Enduring impacts of PTSD was manifested by differentially methylated genes enriching networks associated with LTP, fear memory architecture and complications linked to insulin resistance and innate immunity. These networks were further validated by an independent test set comprising of 31/29 PTSD+/- veteran selected using aforementioned screening protocol. Two independent assay platforms presented technical validations. Probing the combined 83/83 PTSD+/- cohort, whole genome array from Illumina, Inc. validated most of the networks of interest. Methylation statuses of eight DMGs relevant to PTSD and comorbidities were confirmed by targeted bisulfite sequencing. This list presents a potential set of PTSD biomarkers of translational potential.
Project description:Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a mental health condition that may develop after exposure to a traumatic event. The diagnosis of PTSD is based on clinical signs and symptoms; there is increasing evidence that biological markers aid in the diagnosis of PTSD. In a Dutch military cohort, we compared blood-based transcriptomic profiles of individuals susceptible and resilient to developing PTSD symptoms after combat-trauma exposure. Whole blood samples were collected from susceptible (n=20) and resilient (n=20) military personnel deployed to Afghanistan, 6 months after returning from military deployment.
Project description:Chronic stress increases the risk of emotional disorders by altering brain structure and function. Patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depressions show activity difference between the two hemispheres in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) but molecular targets associated with this laterality remains unclear. Here, we reveal that chronic social defeats later gene-expression profile differentially between the left and right medial prefrontal cortices (mPFC) in mice.