title: Stress and asthma: novel insights on genetic, epigenetic, and immunologic mechanisms.
abstract: In the United States the economically disadvantaged and some ethnic minorities are often exposed to chronic psychosocial stressors and disproportionately affected by asthma. Current evidence suggests a causal association between chronic psychosocial stress and asthma or asthma morbidity. Recent findings suggest potential mechanisms underlying this association, including changes in the methylation and expression of genes that regulate behavioral, autonomic, neuroendocrine, and immunologic responses to stress. There is also evidence suggesting the existence of susceptibility genes that predispose chronically stressed youth to both post-traumatic stress disorder and asthma. In this review we critically examine published evidence and suggest future directions for research in this field.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine, Allergy and Immunology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa.
authors.forename: Stacy L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Rosenberg
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill.
authors.forename: Gregory E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine, Allergy and Immunology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa.
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Brehm
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine, Allergy and Immunology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa. Electronic address: juan.celedon@chp.edu.
authors.forename: Juan C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Celedón
mesh_terms: D001249:Asthma / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000401:mortality; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000401:mortality; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000401:mortality; D014481:United States
keywords: Asthma; genetics; immune system; neuroendocrine system; psychosocial stress