Religion, Spirituality, and DNA Methylation in HPA-axis Genes Among Hispanic/Latino Adults

Overview

Journal Epigenomics

Specialty Genetics

Date 2024 Dec 21

PMID 39707707

Authors

Jenny Zhen-Duan

Katia M Canenguez

Anna E Wilson

Yue Gu

Harshitha G Valluri

Alejandra D Chavez

M Austin Argentieri

Anna Boonin Schachter

Haotian Wu

Andrea A Baccarelli

Martha L Daviglus

Sylvia Wassertheil-Smoller

Erica T Warner

Alexandra E Shields

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

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 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 (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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