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Childhood Adversities and the ATTACH TM Program’s Influence on Immune Cell Gene Expression

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Listed:
  • Zhiyuan Yu

    (School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University, 525 N Wolfe St., Baltimore, MD 21205, USA)

  • Steve Cole

    (School of Medicine, University of California-Los Angeles, Le Conte Ave, Los Angeles, CA 10833, USA)

  • Kharah Ross

    (Department of Psychology, Athabasca University, 1 University Dr., Athabasca, AB T9S 3A3, Canada)

  • Martha Hart

    (Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada)

  • Lubna Anis

    (Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada)

  • Nicole Letourneau

    (Faculty of Nursing & Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada)

Abstract

Objective: To determine whether maternal Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are (a) associated with increased inflammatory gene expression in mother–child dyads and (b) whether a parenting intervention (ATTACH™) moderates the association between maternal ACEs and mother and/or child inflammatory gene expression. Methods: Twenty mother–child dyads, recruited from a domestic violence shelter in Calgary, AB, Canada, were randomized into an ATTACH™ parenting intervention group ( n = 9) or a wait-list control group ( n = 11). Maternal ACEs were assessed. The mothers and children each provided one non-fasting blood sample after the intervention group completed the ATTACH™ program, which was assayed to quantify the Conserved Transcriptional Response to Adversity (CTRA) score, indicating inflammatory gene expression profile. Mixed-effect linear models were used, separately in mothers and children, to examine the associations between CTRA score, maternal ACEs, and the ACEs-by-intervention group interaction term. The covariates were age, sex, ethnicity, and maternal medication use. Results: Higher maternal ACEs were associated with higher child CTRA scores ( b = 0.123 ± SE 0.044, p = 0.005), indicating an increased pro-inflammatory gene expression profile. The ATTACH™ parenting intervention moderated this association between maternal ACEs and child CTRA scores ( b = 0.328 ± SE 0.133, p = 0.014). In mothers, the ACEs-by-intervention interaction terms were insignificant ( p = 0.305). Conclusions: Maternal ACEs could exert an intergenerational impact on child inflammatory activity, and this association could be moderated by participating in the ATTACH™ parenting intervention.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhiyuan Yu & Steve Cole & Kharah Ross & Martha Hart & Lubna Anis & Nicole Letourneau, 2024. "Childhood Adversities and the ATTACH TM Program’s Influence on Immune Cell Gene Expression," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(6), pages 1-11, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:6:p:776-:d:1415009
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Cole, S.W., 2013. "Social regulation of human gene expression: Mechanisms and implications for public health," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 103(SUPPL.1), pages 84-92.
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