Epigenetics as a Mechanism of Developmental Embodiment of Stress, Resilience, and Cardiometabolic Risk Across Generations of Latinx Immigrant Families

Abstract

Psychosocial stressors can become embodied to alter biology throughout the life course in ways that may have lasting health consequences. Immigrants are particularly vulnerable to high burdens of stress, which have heightened in the current sociopolitical climate. This study is an investigation of how immigration-related stress (IRS) may impact the cardiometabolic risk and epigenetic markers of Latinx immigrant mothers and children in Nashville, TN. We compared stress and resilience factors reported by Latina immigrant mothers and their children (aged 5–13) from two time points spanning the 2016 U.S. presidential election (June 2015–June 2016 baseline, n = 81; March–September 2018 follow-up, n = 39) with cardiometabolic risk markers (BMI, waist circumference, and blood pressure). We also analyzed these factors in relation to DNA methylation in saliva of stress-related candidate genes (SLC6A4 and FKBP5), generated via bisulfite pyrosequencing (complete case n's range from 67–72 baseline and 29–31 follow-up) (n's range from 80 baseline to 36 follow-up). We found various associations with cardiometabolic risk, such as higher social support and greater acculturation were associated with lower BMI in mothers; discrimination and school stress associated with greater waist circumferences in children. Very few exposures associated with FKBP5, but various stressors associated with methylation at many sites in SLC6A4, including immigrant-related stress in both mothers and children, and fear of parent deportation in children. Additionally, in the mothers, total maternal stress, health stress, and subjective social status associated with methylation at multiple sites of SLC6A4. Acculturation associated with methylation in mothers in both genes, though directions of effect varied over time. We also find DNA methylation at SLC6A4 associates with measures of adiposity and blood pressure, suggesting that methylation may be on the pathway linking stress with cardiometabolic risk. More research is needed to determine the role of these epigenetic differences in contributing to embodiment of stress across generations.

Genome–Environment Interactions and Psychiatric Disorders

“…For instance, in Latin American immigrant mothers and children, the associations between social determinants of mental health and resilience factors, and targeted DNA methylation in the stress-related genes FKBP5 and SLCA4 were investigated in a study by Clausing and Non [ 65 ]. The study found an epigenetic pathway through which early adversity and ongoing stressful life events correlate with important regulatory regions of these two genes.…”

An integrative framework and recommendations for the study of DNA methylation in the context of race and ethnicity

“…To our knowledge, there have been few studies of the link between differential DNAm and immigration-related stress. Two studies directly examining immigration-related stress demonstrated its association with epigenetic age [ 110 ] and differential DNAm at stress-related candidate genes, such as SLC6A4 [ 111 ]. Other studies indirectly addressing this topic compared immigrants with non-immigrants.…”

Well-Being of Recent Migrants: The Role of Place-Based and Social Connections

“…In general, individuals who are better able to use varied and appropriate coping strategies tend to report lower levels of stress, emotional and physical distress (Cheng, 2001;Kato, 2012). In particular, various environmental and psychosocial factors have been reported to contribute to individual differences in migrant well-being (Clausing & Non, 2021;Fong et al, 2022;Levitt et al, 2005). However, little is known about how environmental and psychosocial factors interrelate to affect post-migration well-being.…”

“…However, there is variability in the effects of migration-related stressors on the wellness of migrants, as some appear to be resilient while others may find these stressors to be particularly challenging and difficult to overcome. There appear to be various biological, psychosocial, and environmental factors that likely contribute to individual differences in post-migration well-being (Clausing & Non, 2021;Fong et al, 2022;Levitt et al, 2005).…”