Chun Kang1, JunXin Shi1, Yusha Gong1, Jishan Wei1, Minli Zhang1, Huisi Ding1, Kaiqiao Wang2, Yizhen Yu2, Sichao Wang1, Juan Han3. 1. Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 13Hangkong Road, Wuhan, China. 2. Department of Education, Culture and Sports, East Lake New Technology Development Zone, Wuhan, China. 3. Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 13Hangkong Road, Wuhan, China. Electronic address: hjtj1994@mail.hust.edu.cn.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Previous gene-environment studies on depression have examined the interaction between FKBP5 gene and childhood trauma, but the results are inconsistent and few studies have focused on Asian adolescents. Psychological resilience may explain for the inconsistency. We examined the interaction between FKBP5 gene and childhood trauma on depressive symptoms in Chinese adolescents, and firstly explored the moderating role of resilience in the relationship. METHODS: This study comprised 942 participants (448 males, 47.6%) randomly recruited from four senior schools in Wuhan, Hubei of China. Depressive symptoms, childhood trauma, and resilience were respectively evaluated by the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). Three potentially functional FKBP5 polymorphisms were selected for genotyping. RESULTS: Participants carrying minor alleles of FKBP5 polymorphisms (rs3800373, rs1360780, and rs4713916) and a haplotype derived from these variants displayed higher CES-D scores when exposed to childhood physical abuse after adjusting for demographic characteristics and resilience (all P < 0.01). The three-way interactions of FKBP5 SNPs, physical abuse, and resilience on depressive symptoms all yielded statistical significance after adjusting for demographic characteristics (β = -0.282 to -0.236; all P < 0.001). LIMITATIONS: Cross-sectional design, self- reported measurements and limited genotyped FKBP5 polymorphisms. CONCLUSION: FKBP5 variants in combination with childhood physical abuse may increase more pronounced depressive symptoms among Chinese adolescents, while resilience plays a moderating role in the associations. Future research to examine the exact mechanism of resilience in these associations is needed.
BACKGROUND: Previous gene-environment studies on depression have examined the interaction between FKBP5 gene and childhood trauma, but the results are inconsistent and few studies have focused on Asian adolescents. Psychological resilience may explain for the inconsistency. We examined the interaction between FKBP5 gene and childhood trauma on depressive symptoms in Chinese adolescents, and firstly explored the moderating role of resilience in the relationship. METHODS: This study comprised 942 participants (448 males, 47.6%) randomly recruited from four senior schools in Wuhan, Hubei of China. Depressive symptoms, childhood trauma, and resilience were respectively evaluated by the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). Three potentially functional FKBP5 polymorphisms were selected for genotyping. RESULTS:Participants carrying minor alleles of FKBP5 polymorphisms (rs3800373, rs1360780, and rs4713916) and a haplotype derived from these variants displayed higher CES-D scores when exposed to childhood physical abuse after adjusting for demographic characteristics and resilience (all P < 0.01). The three-way interactions of FKBP5 SNPs, physical abuse, and resilience on depressive symptoms all yielded statistical significance after adjusting for demographic characteristics (β = -0.282 to -0.236; all P < 0.001). LIMITATIONS: Cross-sectional design, self- reported measurements and limited genotyped FKBP5 polymorphisms. CONCLUSION:FKBP5 variants in combination with childhood physical abuse may increase more pronounced depressive symptoms among Chinese adolescents, while resilience plays a moderating role in the associations. Future research to examine the exact mechanism of resilience in these associations is needed.