Immune Dysregulation and Glucocorticoid Resistance in Minority and Low Income Pregnant Women

Authors

Elizabeth J. Corwin, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of NursingFollow
Ying Guo, Rollins School of Public Health
Kathleen Pajer, Dalhousie University
Nancy Lowe, University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences CenterFollow
Donna O. McCarthy, Marquette UniversityFollow
Sarah Schmiege, University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center
Mary Weber, University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center
Thaddeus Pace, Emory University
Brian Stafford, University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center

Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Format of Original

11 p.

Publication Date

9-2013

Publisher

Elsevier

Source Publication

Psychoneuroendocrinology

Source ISSN

0306-4530

Original Item ID

doi: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2013.02.015

Abstract

Chronic prenatal stress contributes to poor birth outcomes for women and infants. Importantly, poor birth outcomes are most common among minority and low income women. To investigate underlying mechanisms, we tested the hypothesis that chronic stress related to minority or low income status is associated with glucocorticoid resistance as indicated by disruption in the cytokine-glucocorticoid feedback circuit. Home visits were conducted during which 3rd trimester pregnant women completed stress and depression surveys and provided blood for pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Saliva was collected 5 times the preceding day for diurnal cortisol levels. For statistical analyses, women were grouped 3 ways, by race, income, and the presence or absence of either of those risk factors; this last group was labeled high or low general risk. Immune regulation was evaluated by evidence of a functioning negative feedback relationship between cytokines and cortisol. Of 96 participants, 18 were minority, 22 of low income, and 29 either minority or low income (high general risk). Pearson partial correlation identified a significant negative relationship between cortisol area under the curve (AUC) and pro- to anti-inflammatory cytokine ratios in the low general risk women (i.e., Caucasian, higher income) including IFNγ/IL10 (r = −0.73, p < 0.0001), IL6/IL10 (r = −0.38, p = 0.01), IL1β/IL10 (r = −0.44, p = 0.004) and TNFα/IL10 (r = −0.41; p = 0.005); no such correlations existed in the high general risk women (i.e., minority, low income) for (IFNγ/IL10: r = −0.25, p = 0.43; IL6/IL10: r = 0.12, p = 0.70; IL1 β/IL10: r = 0.05, p = 0.87; TNFα/IL10: r = 0.10; p = 0.75), suggestive of glucocorticoid resistance. Cortisol levels throughout the day also were higher in minority and high general risk groups (p < 0.05). Without cytokine glucocorticoid feedback, a pregnant woman's ability to regulate inflammation is limited, potentially contributing to adverse maternal and infant outcomes.

Comments

Accepted version. Psychoneuroendocrinology, Vol. 38, No. 9 (September 2013): 1786-1796. DOI. © 2013 Elsevier. Used with permission.

Recommended Citation

Corwin, Elizabeth J.; Guo, Ying; Pajer, Kathleen; Lowe, Nancy; McCarthy, Donna O.; Schmiege, Sarah; Weber, Mary; Pace, Thaddeus; and Stafford, Brian, "Immune Dysregulation and Glucocorticoid Resistance in Minority and Low Income Pregnant Women" (2013). College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications. 184.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/nursing_fac/184