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Increased plasma levels of circulating cell-free mitochondrial DNA in suicide attempters : Associations with HPA-axis hyperactivity

Lindqvist, D. LU ; Fernström, J. LU ; Grudet, C. LU orcid ; Ljunggren, L. ; Träskman-Bendz, L. LU ; Ohlsson, L. and Westrin, A. LU (2016) In Translational Psychiatry 6(12).
Abstract

Preclinical data suggest that chronic stress may cause cellular damage and mitochondrial dysfunction, potentially leading to the release of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) into the bloodstream. Major depressive disorder has been associated with an increased amount of mtDNA in leukocytes from saliva samples and blood; however, no previous studies have measured plasma levels of free-circulating mtDNA in a clinical psychiatric sample. In this study, free circulating mtDNA was quantified in plasma samples from 37 suicide attempters, who had undergone a dexamethasone suppression test (DST), and 37 healthy controls. We hypothesized that free circulating mtDNA would be elevated in the suicide attempters and would be associated with... (More)

Preclinical data suggest that chronic stress may cause cellular damage and mitochondrial dysfunction, potentially leading to the release of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) into the bloodstream. Major depressive disorder has been associated with an increased amount of mtDNA in leukocytes from saliva samples and blood; however, no previous studies have measured plasma levels of free-circulating mtDNA in a clinical psychiatric sample. In this study, free circulating mtDNA was quantified in plasma samples from 37 suicide attempters, who had undergone a dexamethasone suppression test (DST), and 37 healthy controls. We hypothesized that free circulating mtDNA would be elevated in the suicide attempters and would be associated with hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)-axis hyperactivity. Suicide attempters had significantly higher plasma levels of free-circulating mtDNA compared with healthy controls at different time points (pre- and post-DST; all P-values<2.98E-12, Cohen's d ranging from 2.55 to 4.01). Pre-DST plasma levels of mtDNA were positively correlated with post-DST cortisol levels (rho=0.49, P<0.003). Suicide attempters may have elevated plasma levels of free-circulating mtDNA, which are related to impaired HPA-axis negative feedback. This peripheral index is consistent with an increased cellular or mitochondrial damage. The specific cells and tissues contributing to plasma levels of free-circulating mtDNA are not known, as is the specificity of this finding for suicide attempters. Future studies are needed in order to better understand the relevance of increased free-circulating mtDNA in relation to the pathophysiology underlying suicidal behavior and depression.

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author
; ; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Translational Psychiatry
volume
6
issue
12
article number
e971
publisher
Nature Publishing Group
external identifiers
  • scopus:85002842737
  • pmid:27922635
  • wos:000392136800004
ISSN
2158-3188
DOI
10.1038/tp.2016.236
project
Individanpassad behandling av patienter med depression, med särskilt fokus på suicidrisk.
Cellular and mitochondrial stress in depression and suicidality
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
8d9aebfe-dc05-4ebd-9dbc-95dcda3d9b33
date added to LUP
2016-12-23 10:40:47
date last changed
2024-02-19 13:58:01
@article{8d9aebfe-dc05-4ebd-9dbc-95dcda3d9b33,
  abstract     = {{<p>Preclinical data suggest that chronic stress may cause cellular damage and mitochondrial dysfunction, potentially leading to the release of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) into the bloodstream. Major depressive disorder has been associated with an increased amount of mtDNA in leukocytes from saliva samples and blood; however, no previous studies have measured plasma levels of free-circulating mtDNA in a clinical psychiatric sample. In this study, free circulating mtDNA was quantified in plasma samples from 37 suicide attempters, who had undergone a dexamethasone suppression test (DST), and 37 healthy controls. We hypothesized that free circulating mtDNA would be elevated in the suicide attempters and would be associated with hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)-axis hyperactivity. Suicide attempters had significantly higher plasma levels of free-circulating mtDNA compared with healthy controls at different time points (pre- and post-DST; all P-values&lt;2.98E-12, Cohen's d ranging from 2.55 to 4.01). Pre-DST plasma levels of mtDNA were positively correlated with post-DST cortisol levels (rho=0.49, P&lt;0.003). Suicide attempters may have elevated plasma levels of free-circulating mtDNA, which are related to impaired HPA-axis negative feedback. This peripheral index is consistent with an increased cellular or mitochondrial damage. The specific cells and tissues contributing to plasma levels of free-circulating mtDNA are not known, as is the specificity of this finding for suicide attempters. Future studies are needed in order to better understand the relevance of increased free-circulating mtDNA in relation to the pathophysiology underlying suicidal behavior and depression.</p>}},
  author       = {{Lindqvist, D. and Fernström, J. and Grudet, C. and Ljunggren, L. and Träskman-Bendz, L. and Ohlsson, L. and Westrin, A.}},
  issn         = {{2158-3188}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{12}},
  number       = {{12}},
  publisher    = {{Nature Publishing Group}},
  series       = {{Translational Psychiatry}},
  title        = {{Increased plasma levels of circulating cell-free mitochondrial DNA in suicide attempters : Associations with HPA-axis hyperactivity}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/tp.2016.236}},
  doi          = {{10.1038/tp.2016.236}},
  volume       = {{6}},
  year         = {{2016}},
}