Joint Effects of the Epigenetic Alteration of Neurotrophins and Cytokine Signaling: A Possible Exploratory Model of Affective Symptoms in Alcohol-Dependent Patients?

Abstract

AIMS:

Neurotrophins have been linked to the symptomatology of alcohol dependence. We aimed to investigate a possible association between the methylation of the promoters of both neurotrophins, the serum levels of the cytokines and core symptoms of alcohol dependence as withdrawal severity and anxiety.

METHODS:

In this study we investigated a possible association between alterations in the methylation of the BDNF IV/NGF I gene promoter and the cytokines tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in 55 male alcohol-dependent patients.

RESULTS:

Mean methylation of the promoter of the BDNF gene was significantly associated with the TNF-α serum levels and the CIWA-score during withdrawal (P < 0.001). Moreover, mean methylation of the NGF I promoter was significantly associated with the IL-6 serum levels and STAI-I score during withdrawal (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION:

Our results suggest an association between the epigenetic regulation of both neurotrophins, BDNF and NGF, cytokine release and the symptomatology of alcohol dependence. They imply that changes in the methylation of neurotrophins may contribute to the symptomatology of alcohol dependence by affecting relevant downstream signaling cascades.

• Authors: Annemarie Heberlein, Rilana Schuster, Alexandra Kleimann, Adrian Groh, Andreas Kordon, Birgitt Opfermann, Ralf Lichtinghagen, Michael Gröschl, Johannes Kornhuber, Stefan Bleich, Helge Frieling, Thomas Hillemacher
• Journal: Alcohol and alcoholism (Oxford, Oxfordshire) (Alcohol Alcohol) Vol. 52 Issue 3 Pg. 277-281 (May 01 2017) ISSN: 1464-3502 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 28430931 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © The Author 2017. Medical Council on Alcohol and Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
• Central Nervous System Depressants
• Cytokines
• IL6 protein, human
• Interleukin-6
• Nerve Growth Factors
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
• Ethanol
• Nerve Growth Factor

Topics

• Adult
• Affective Symptoms (etiology, genetics, psychology)
• Alcoholism (genetics, psychology)
• Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (genetics)
• Central Nervous System Depressants (metabolism)
• Cytokines (physiology)
• DNA Methylation
• Epigenesis, Genetic (genetics)
• Ethanol (metabolism)
• Female
• Humans
• Interleukin-6 (genetics)
• Male
• Models, Psychological
• Nerve Growth Factor (genetics)
• Nerve Growth Factors (physiology)
• Neuropsychological Tests
• Signal Transduction (genetics)
• Substance Withdrawal Syndrome (genetics, psychology)
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (genetics)