Transcriptomics of PPD and Control LCLs Exposed to Steroid Hormones

Lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) were derived from women with (n=11) and without (n=9) past postpartum depression (PPD) and compared transcriptomically in two studies. Data provided represents: 1) normalized RNA-seq expression (CPM) or 2) Ampliseq-RNA Expression (CPM).The two studies are described below.1) The first examined estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) hormone conditions mimicking pregnancy and parturition: supraphysiologic E2+P-addback; supraphysiologic E2+P-withdrawal; and no added E2+P (Baseline). RNA-sequencing identified unique differentially expressed genes (DEGs, p<0.05) in all hormone conditions, but the majority tended to be downregulated in PPD and observed in E2 + P-addback (the treatment with the highest number of FDR significant DEGs. 2) The second exposed control and PPD LCLs to ALLO or DMSO vehicle for 60 hours and used Ampliseq to detect differentially expressed genes (DEGs, pnominal < 0.05). Between ALLO-treated control and PPD LCLs, 269 DEGs were identified. Data suggest that ALLO may activate unique and opposing molecular pathways in women with PPD, which may be tied to its antidepressant mechanism.]]>
Women with a history of PPD and matched controls were recruited at the University of North Carolina (UNC). All were interviewed to assess past and present psychiatric illness. Screening included medical history intake, physical and gynecological exams, and self-report of mood/physical symptoms for a complete menstrual cycle. All women were otherwise healthy and medication free.]]>