Childhood abuse, promoter methylation of leukocyte NR3C1 and the potential modifying effect of emotional support.
To investigate childhood abuse victimization in relation to adult DNA methylation levels in a novel region of NR3C1, with emotional support as a possible modifier.



295 participants from the Black Women's Health Study. Multivariable linear regression models were used to compute differences in mean percent methylation levels.



Women reporting childhood abuse victimization exhibited higher mean NR3C1 methylation levels than nonabused women, with a clear dose-response relationship. Childhood emotional support appeared to attenuate associations only among women with the highest levels of physical and sexual abuse.



NR3C1 mean methylation was higher among women who reported childhood abuse. Further research is warranted to clarify whether or the extent to which childhood emotional support buffers the association.
Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck St, Boston, MA 02114, USA.|Harvard/MGH Center on Genomics, Vulnerable Populations & Health Disparities, Massachusetts General Hospital, 50 Staniford St, Suite 901, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
Alexandra E
AE
Shields
Boston University School of Public Health, Talbot Building, 715 Albany St, Boston, MA 02118, USA.|Slone Epidemiology Center, Boston University, 1010 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
Lauren A
LA
Wise
Boston University School of Public Health, Talbot Building, 715 Albany St, Boston, MA 02118, USA.|Slone Epidemiology Center, Boston University, 1010 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
Edward A
EA
Ruiz-Narvaez
Harvard/MGH Center on Genomics, Vulnerable Populations & Health Disparities, Massachusetts General Hospital, 50 Staniford St, Suite 901, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
Bobak
B
Seddighzadeh
Human Nutrition Research Centre, Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 5PL, UK.
Hyang-Min
HM
Byun
Boston University School of Public Health, Talbot Building, 715 Albany St, Boston, MA 02118, USA.|Slone Epidemiology Center, Boston University, 1010 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
Yvette C
YC
Cozier
Boston University School of Public Health, Talbot Building, 715 Albany St, Boston, MA 02118, USA.|Slone Epidemiology Center, Boston University, 1010 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
Lynn
L
Rosenberg
Boston University School of Public Health, Talbot Building, 715 Albany St, Boston, MA 02118, USA.|Slone Epidemiology Center, Boston University, 1010 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
Julie R
JR
Palmer
Harvard/MGH Center on Genomics, Vulnerable Populations & Health Disparities, Massachusetts General Hospital, 50 Staniford St, Suite 901, Boston, MA 02114, USA.|Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, 722 W 168th St, New York, NY 10032, USA.
Andrea A
AA
Baccarelli
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019175:DNA Methylation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid / Q000235:genetics*; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000235:genetics*; D055815:Young Adult
C497713:NR3C1 protein, human; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid
African–Americans; CpG island shore; DNA methylation; NR3C1; abuse; child maltreatment; epigenetic epidemiology; glucocorticoid receptor; health disparities; violence