A Pilot Epigenome-Wide Study of Posttraumatic Growth: Identifying Novel Candidates for Future Research.

IF 4.1 Q3 GENETICS & HEREDITY

Epigenomes Pub Date : 2025-10-06 DOI:10.3390/epigenomes9040039

Mackenzie Rubens, Paul Ruiz Pinto, Anita Sathyanarayanan, Olivia Miller, Amy B Mullens, Dagmar Bruenig, Patricia Obst, Jane Shakespeare-Finch, Divya Mehta

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Abstract

Background: Posttraumatic growth (PTG) refers to positive psychological change following trauma. While its psychological aspects are well-documented, the biological mechanisms remain unclear. Epigenetic changes, such as DNA methylation (DNAm), may offer insight into PTG's neurobiological basis.

Aims: This study aimed to identify epigenetic markers associated with PTG using an epigenome-wide association study (EWAS), the first of its kind in a trauma-exposed population.

Methods: A longitudinal EWAS design was used to assess DNAm before and after trauma exposure in first-year paramedicine students (n = 39). Genome-wide methylation data were analyzed for associations with PTG, applying epigenome-wide and gene-wise statistical thresholds. Pathway enrichment analysis was also conducted.

Results: The study identified two CpGs (cg09559117 and cg05351447) within the PCDHA1/PCDHA2 and PDZD genes significantly associated with PTG at the epigenome-wide threshold (p < 9.42 × 10^-8); these were replicated in an independent sample. DNAm in 5 CpGs across known PTSD candidate genes ANK3, DICER1, SKA2, IL12B and TPH1 were significantly associated with PTG after gene-wise Bonferroni correction. Pathway analysis revealed that PTG-associated genes were overrepresented in the Adenosine triphosphate Binding Cassette (ABC) transporters pathway (p = 2.72 × 10^-4).

Conclusions: These results identify genes for PTG, improving our understanding of the neurobiological underpinnings of PTG.

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创伤后生长的试点全表观基因组研究：确定未来研究的新候选人。

背景：创伤后成长（PTG）是指创伤后的积极心理变化。虽然它的心理方面有充分的记录，但生物学机制仍不清楚。表观遗传变化，如DNA甲基化（DNAm），可能提供洞察PTG的神经生物学基础。目的：本研究旨在利用全表观基因组关联研究（EWAS）识别与PTG相关的表观遗传标记，这是首次在创伤暴露人群中进行此类研究。方法：采用纵向EWAS设计评估一年级医学生创伤暴露前后的DNAm （n = 39）。采用表观基因组和基因统计阈值分析全基因组甲基化数据与PTG的关联。并进行了途径富集分析。结果：在PCDHA1/PCDHA2和PDZD基因中发现了两个CpGs (cg09559117和cg05351447)，在表观基因组范围阈值上与PTG显著相关（p < 9.42 × 10-8）；这些结果在一个独立的样本中得到了重复。经Bonferroni校正后，已知PTSD候选基因ANK3、DICER1、SKA2、IL12B和TPH1的5个CpGs中的DNAm与PTG显著相关。通路分析显示，ptg相关基因在三磷酸腺苷结合盒（ABC）转运体通路中被过度表达（p = 2.72 × 10-4）。结论：这些结果确定了PTG的基因，提高了我们对PTG神经生物学基础的理解。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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