Neuregulin-1 genotype moderates the association between job strain and early atherosclerosis in young men.
BACKGROUND
Although it is known that a given level of strain does not induce a corresponding CHD risk in all individuals, factors that predict groups at risk have remained unclear. Neuregulin-1 (NRG-1) has various roles in the development and function of the heart and autonomic nervous system.


OBJECTIVE
We examined whether polymorphic variation in NRG-1 moderates the association between job strain and early atherosclerosis.


METHODS
The participants (M age = 32.5) were 349 women and 357 men derived from the population-based Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns study. Job strain was defined as the joint effect of job demands and job control. Preclinical atherosclerosis was measured using carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) ultrasound.


RESULTS
NRG-1 single nucleotide polymorphism SNP8NRG221533 (T to C) was found to moderate the association between job strain and IMT in men (p = .04). Job strain was significantly associated with increased IMT among men with T/T genotype but not among the others. A direct association between NRG-1 and IMT was found in women.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that the effect of job strain on early atherosclerosis is dependent on NRG-1 genotype in men. Gene x Environment Interaction approach seems to offer important additional information in stress research.
Hintsanen
Mirka
M
Department of Psychology, University of Helsinki, Finland.
Elovainio
Marko
M
Puttonen
Sampsa
S
Kivimäki
Mika
M
Raitakari
Olli T
OT
Lehtimäki
Terho
T
Rontu
Riika
R
Juonala
Markus
M
Kähönen
Mika
M
Viikari
Jorma
J
Keltikangas-Järvinen
Liisa
L
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005387:Finland; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D020890:Neuregulin-1 / Q000235:genetics*; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Q000235:genetics; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012931:Social Environment; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications*; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014463:Ultrasonography; D016526:Workload / Q000523:psychology*
D020890:Neuregulin-1