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Religion, spirituality, and DNA methylation in HPA-axis genes among Hispanic/Latino adults
Jenny Zhen-Duan1,2, Katia M Canenguez2,3, Anna E Wilson1,4
1Disparities Research Unit, Mongan Institute, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
Aim:
Investigate associations between religion and spirituality (R&S) and DNA methylation of four HPA-axis genes (i.e. 14 CpG sites) among 992 adults from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos cohorts.
Methods:
We assessed 1) the association between R&S measures and mean percent methylation overall and stratified by nativity status (US-born or immigrant) and 2) if interactions between R&S and methylation differed by nativity status.
Results:
Among individuals with the FKBP5 CC genotype, increased spirituality scores were associated with significantly lower methylation levels among immigrants, compared to US-born participants. Organizational religiosity (e.g. service attendance) was associated with increased FKBP5 (CC genotype) methylation among immigrants.
Conclusion:
R&S may influence HPA-axis functioning differently based on nativity status; a finding that could offer insight into mechanisms leading to health disparities.
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