Mothers' distress exposure and children's withdrawn behavior – A moderating role for the Interferon Gamma gene (IFNG)

Abstract

The dysregulation of the inflammatory response, including pro‐inflammatory molecules, produces neuropsychiatric symptoms and depression‐like behavior, including withdrawal from the physical and social environment. Genetic variants that enhance immune reactivity may thus increase inflammatory and withdrawn reactions to stress. Here we investigated a functional polymorphism of Interferon Gamma gene (IFNG +874 T > A, rs2430561) as moderator of the relationship between mothers’ distress exposure and children's withdrawn behavior at preschool age. Participants were 198 Portuguese preschool children (mean age = 57.98 months). Exposure to mother's distress was assessed using the Brief Symptom Inventory, and withdrawn behavior with the Caregiver Teacher Report Form. All children provided saliva samples for genotyping. Contrary to expecations based on prior work, the rs2430561 AA genotype—not the T variant—interacted with (high levels of) mothers’ distress exposure, to increase children's withdrawn behavior. No significant main effects were detected. The polymorphism in Interferon Gamma gene showed specific environmental stressor‐dependent effects on withdrawn behavior during childhood, ones which are interpreted in light of the "behavioral immune system" hypothesis, and which proved inconsistent with diathesis‐stress thinking.

Lactobacillus from the Altered Schaedler Flora maintain IFNγ homeostasis to promote behavioral stress resilience

“…Our study supports previous work implicating IFNγ in the stress response and behavior ( Litteljohn et al, 2010 ). Correlations between stress, depression, and IFNγ have previously been shown in the clinic, but the causative relationship and mechanism have not been established ( Mohr and Genain, 2004 ; Pinto et al, 2020 ). Recent studies have also shown that meningeal sources of IFNγ can act directly on neuronal IFNγ receptors to promote the normal development of social behavior ( Filiano et al, 2016 ).…”

Nanovesicular Mediation of the Gut–Brain Axis by Probiotics: Insights into Irritable Bowel Syndrome

“…This is supported by studies indicating that mice subjected to direct stress exhibit reduced levels of gut Lactobacillus. Among metabolites involved, it seems that the IFNγ, an inducer of tryptophan conversion to kynurenine produced in response to Lactobacillus, can be sufficient to provide resilience in response to environmental stressors [53,54]. Furthermore, the largest contributor among metabolites that the gut microbiota uses to signal the human brain is tryptophan and its precursors [55].…”

Lactobacillusmaintains IFNγ homeostasis to promote behavioral stress resilience

“…Correlations between stress, depression, and IFNγ have previously been shown in the clinic, but the causative relationship and mechanism have not been established [54,55]. Recent studies have also shown that meningeal sources of IFNγ can act directly on neuronal IFNγ receptors to promote the normal development of social behavior [42].…”