title: Regulation of mRNA expression encoding chaperone and co-chaperone proteins of             the glucocorticoid receptor in peripheral blood: association with depressive symptoms             during pregnancy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Major depressive disorder during pregnancy associates with potentially detrimental consequences for mother and child. The current study examined peripheral blood gene expression as a potential biomarker for prenatal depressive symptoms.
  
  
  METHODS
  Maternal RNA from whole blood, plasma and the Beck Depression Inventory were collected longitudinally from preconception through the third trimester of pregnancy in 106 women with a lifetime history of mood or anxiety disorders. The expression of 16 genes in whole blood involved in glucorticoid receptor (GR) signaling was assessed using real-time polymerase chain reaction. In parallel, plasma concentrations of progesterone, estradiol and cortisol were measured. Finally, we assessed ex vivo GR sensitivity in peripheral blood cells from a subset of 29 women.
  
  
  RESULTS
  mRNA expression of a number of GR-complex regulating genes was up-regulated over pregnancy. Women with depressive symptoms showed significantly smaller increases in mRNA expression of four of these genes - FKBP5, BAG1, NCOA1 and PPID. Ex vivo stimulation assays showed that GR sensitivity diminished with progression of pregnancy and increasing maternal depressive symptoms. Plasma concentrations of gonadal steroids and cortisol did not differ over pregnancy between women with and without clinically relevant depressive symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The presence of prenatal depressive symptoms appears to be associated with altered regulation of GR sensitivity. Peripheral expression of GR co-chaperone genes may serve as a biomarker for risk of developing depressive symptoms during pregnancy. The presence of such biomarkers, if confirmed, could be utilized in treatment planning for women with a psychiatric history.
authors: Emory University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and                     Behavioral Sciences, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors: E R
authors: ER
authors: Katz
authors: Z N
authors: ZN
authors: Stowe
authors: D J
authors: DJ
authors: Newport
authors: M E
authors: ME
authors: Kelley
authors: T W
authors: TW
authors: Pace
authors: J F
authors: JF
authors: Cubells
authors: E B
authors: EB
authors: Binder
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D018832:Molecular Chaperones / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000097:blood; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid / Q000097:blood*; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D018832:Molecular Chaperones; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D006854:Hydrocortisone