title: Neuregulin-1 genotype moderates the association between job strain and early atherosclerosis in young men.
abstract: 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.
authors: Department of Psychology, University of Helsinki, Finland.
authors: Mirka
authors: M
authors: Hintsanen
authors: Marko
authors: M
authors: Elovainio
authors: Sampsa
authors: S
authors: Puttonen
authors: Mika
authors: M
authors: Kivimäki
authors: Olli T
authors: OT
authors: Raitakari
authors: Terho
authors: T
authors: Lehtimäki
authors: Riika
authors: R
authors: Rontu
authors: Markus
authors: M
authors: Juonala
authors: Mika
authors: M
authors: Kähönen
authors: Jorma
authors: J
authors: Viikari
authors: Liisa
authors: L
authors: Keltikangas-Järvinen
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D020890:Neuregulin-1