Greater inflammatory activity and blunted glucocorticoid signaling in monocytes of chronically stressed caregivers.

ABSTRACT: Chronic stress is associated with morbidity and mortality from numerous conditions, many of whose pathogenesis involves persistent inflammation. Here, we examine how chronic stress influences signaling pathways that regulate inflammation in monocytes. The sample consisted of 33 adults caring for a family member with glioblastoma and 47 controls whose lives were free of major stressors. The subjects were assessed four times over eight months. Relative to controls, caregivers' monocytes showed increased expression of genes bearing response elements for nuclear-factor kappa B, a key pro-inflammatory transcription factor. Simultaneously, caregivers showed reduced expression of genes with response elements for the glucocorticoid receptor, a transcription factor that conveys cortisol's anti-infl

SUBMITTER: Miller GE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4973629 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature