Investigating the epigenetic profile of the inflammatory gene IL-6 in late-life depression

Abstract

Background: It is well established that there is a link between inflammation and depression, with several studies reporting increased circulating levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine, interleukin-6 (IL6), in depressed individuals. Peripheral epigenetic marks, including DNA methylation, hold promise as biomarkers for a range of complex conditions, with potential to inform diagnosis and tailor interventions. The aim of this study was to determine whether individuals with depression display differential methylation of the IL6 gene promoter compared to individuals without depression. Methods: The ESPRIT study of later life neuropsychiatric disorders used a random sampling framework to select ..