Interleukin 1B gene (IL1B) variation and internalizing symptoms in maltreated preschoolers

Abstract

Evidence now implicates inflammatory proteins in the neurobiology of internalizing disorders. Genetic factors may influence individual responses to maltreatment; however, little work has examined inflammatory genetic variants in adults and none in children. The present study examined the role of an IL1B variant in preschoolers exposed to maltreatment and other forms of adversity in internalizing symptom development. One hundred ninety-eight families were enrolled, with one child (age 3-5 years) from each family. Adversity measures included child protective service documentation of moderate-severe maltreatment in the last 6 months and interview-assessed contextual stressors. Internalizing symptoms were measured using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and the Diagnostic Infant and Preschool Assessment (DIPA). Maltreated children had higher MDD and PTSD symptoms and marginally higher internalizing symptoms on the CBCL. Controlling for age, sex and race, IL1B genotype was associated with MDD symptoms (p = .002). Contextual stressors were significantly associated with MDD and PTSD and marginally with internalizing symptoms. The IL1B genotype interacted with contextual stress such that children homozygous for the minor allele had more MDD symptoms (p = .045). These results suggest that genetic variants of IL1B may modulate the development of internalizing symptoms in the face of childhood adversity.

Genetic Contributions of Inflammation to Depression

“…Finally, Ridout et al (2014) examined 198 ethnically diverse American children ages 3–5 years exposed to maltreatment in the preceding 6 months. They found an association between rs1143633 AA genotype and greater symptoms of MDD when exposed to contextual stressors, such as loss, instability, or poverty.…”

Observed parent–child relationship quality predicts antibody response to vaccination in children

“…One important avenue is greater integration of markers of physical health in mental and behavioral health settings (O'Connor et al, 2014; Ridout et al, 2014). Our findings add to a growing literature suggesting that established markers of stress and resilience for children, such as the quality of family relationships and emotional regulation within these relationships, have implications beyond mental health and deserve broader public health attention.…”

Childhood maltreatment and methylation of FK506 binding protein 5 gene (FKBP5)

“…A number of biological mechanisms have been proposed to mediate risk for psychopathology following exposure to maltreatment. Alterations of neural struc-ture and function and other biological changes have been observed in children and adults with a history of maltreatment (Cicchetti, 2015;Cicchetti, Handley, & Rogosch, 2015;Hart & Rubia, 2012;Philip et al, 2015;Ridout et al, 2014Ridout et al, , 2015Toth, Gravener-Davis, Guild, & Cicchetti, 2013;Tyrka, Burgers, Philip, Price, & Carpenter, 2013;Tyrka, Parade, Price, et al, 2015). Identifying these mediating factors is critical for understanding how early childhood maltreatment contributes to risk of psychopathology in order to prevent longterm sequelae.…”