Epigenetic regulation of the immune system in PTSD

Written by Hannah Wilson

Evidence of epigenetic regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-12 (IL-12) and interferon gamma (IFNG) has been observed in cells taken from patients diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Genome-wide histone and DNA methylation was examined in peripheral blood mononuclear cells by researchers from the University of South Carolina (SC, USA). Significant differences were observed in histone H3 trimethylation at several sites, in addition to differential methylation of promoters of genes related to inflammation. PTSD patients demonstrated higher transcript levels of IFNG and increased IL-12 expression, which could have been activated by epigenetic modification. A microarray study of miRNAs identified downregulation of...

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