The inflammasome NLRP12 is associated with both depression and coronary artery disease in Vietnam veterans

Abstract

Several studies have established that Major depressive disorder is associated with excess inflammation with an elevation of both pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines in major depressive disorder. In addition, individuals with major depressive disorder are at higher risk of developing coronary artery disease. The role of innate immunity and NFκB-mediated inflammation in depression and its increased association with coronary artery disease is yet to be fully elucidated. Polymorphisms in the Nucleotide-Binding Oligomerization Domain, Leucine Rich Repeat and Pyrin Domain Containing 12 (NLRP12), are associated with depression and coronary artery disease in trauma exposed individuals. In a cohort of Vietnam War veterans (n = 299) NLRP12 polymorphisms were analysed for association with depression and coronary calcium scores. The NLRP12 polymorphism, rs34436714 was associated with a higher DASS21 Score for depression (p = 0.037). NLRP12 polymorphisms rs34971363 and rs6509825 (p = 0.022 and p = 0.020) were associated with raised coronary calcium score. To our knowledge, this is the first time rs34436714 has been investigated in Vietnam veterans identifying AC as a risk genotype for depression in Caucasian cohorts. It is also the first time the rs34971363 (CG) and rs6509825 (CT) genotype have been associated with raised coronary calcium score.