Dataset Information

Social connection and gene regulation during the COVID-19 pandemic: Divergent patterns for online and in-person interaction.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Social connection has been linked to reduced disease risk and enhanced antiviral immunity, but it is unclear whether online social connections have similar effects to those previously documented for in-person/offline social relationships, or whether online connections can substitute for in-person social relations when the latter are restricted. We examined this question in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing specifically on an immune system gene regulation profile known as the conserved transcriptional response to adversity (CTRA), which is characterized by up-regulation of proinflammatory genes and down-regulation of genes linked to innate antiviral responses and antibody production.

Methods

We analyzed CTRA RNA profiles in blood samples from 142 healthy young adults (69% female, 87% white) during the "social distancing" period of the COVID-19 pandemic. Mixed effect linear models quantified the relation of CTRA gene expression to measures of in-person social connection (number of friends, social eudaimonia, loneliness) and online psychosocial connection (online loneliness, perceived social value in online leisure and educational contexts, and internet use) while controlling for demographic and health factors.

Results

Multiple indicators of in-person and generalized social connection were associated with lower CTRA gene expression, whereas no measure of online social connection showed any significant association with CTRA gene expression.

Conclusion

Experiences of in-person social connection are associated with reduced CTRA gene expression during a period of restricted social interaction. In contrast, online social relationships show no such association. Digitally mediated social relations do not appear to substantially offset the absence of in-person/offline social connection in the context of immune cell gene regulation.

SUBMITTER: Snodgrass JG

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9335856 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Social connection and gene regulation during the COVID-19 pandemic: Divergent patterns for online and in-person interaction.

Snodgrass Jeffrey G JG Bendeck Shawna S Zhao Katya Xinyi KX Sagstetter Seth S Lacy Michael G MG Nixon Cody C Branstrator Julia R JR Arevalo Jesusa M G JMG Cole Steven W SW

Psychoneuroendocrinology 20220729

<h4>Background</h4>Social connection has been linked to reduced disease risk and enhanced antiviral immunity, but it is unclear whether online social connections have similar effects to those previously documented for in-person/offline social relationships, or whether online connections can substitute for in-person social relations when the latter are restricted. We examined this question in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing specifically on an immune system gene regulation profile k ...[more]

PMID: 35961191

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Dataset Information

Social connection and gene regulation during the COVID-19 pandemic: Divergent patterns for online and in-person interaction.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Publications

Social connection and gene regulation during the COVID-19 pandemic: Divergent patterns for online and in-person interaction.

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