In vitro Proinflammatory Gene Expression Predicts in vivo Telomere Shortening: A Preliminary Study

Chronic psychological stress contributes to major diseases, including depression, cardiovascular disease, viral infection, and autoimmune diseases (Cohen et al., 2007). While detailed mechanisms of how chronic stress leads to increased risks for these various diseases are multiple, complex and still incomplete, a common underlying cause is chronic inflammation (Libby, 2007; Tracy, 2003). Clearly, acute and chronic stress have different effects. An elevated inflammatory response to acute stress leads to enhanced immunity, however, chronic stress is associated with impaired immune function with concomitant low-grade, unresolved inflammation, a critical contributor to pathogenesis of major diseases (Dhabhar, 2014; Nathan and Ding, 2010).
Source: Psychoneuroendocrinology - Category: Psychiatry Authors: Source Type: research