Epigenetic Differences in Stress-Related Genes in Transgender Minorities

跨性别人群压力相关基因的表观遗传差异 慢性腰痛（CLBP）在美国与大量费用相关，患有CLBP的患者可能会有 对生活质量的负面影响。自认为是少数种族的人往往因慢性疾病而得不到充分治疗。 疼痛状况，并报告更严重和致残CLBP。然而，尽管有既定的性别 在慢性疼痛的表达和治疗的差异，很少有工作已经调查了慢性疼痛的负担， 包括跨性别男性和女性在内的性别少数群体的疼痛。在这里，我们建议招募 跨性别男性（N=15）和跨性别女性（N=15）的DNA的种族差异的研究 黑人和白色CLBP患者的甲基化（DNA m）和基因表达，重点是压力 环境暴露。跨性别者，通常是当地的少数民族，每天都面临着复杂的 与种族、性别和慢性疼痛有关的压力、耻辱和歧视。因此，人口的增加 目前的研究将允许一个新的调查性别认同和影响的DNA和基因 表情根据特别关注通知（NOD-OD-22-032），我们将增加少数性别 正在进行的研究（R 01 AR 079178）的受试者（即变性人），以允许首次探索性别 对胁迫相关DNAm和基因表达的同一性影响。

Epigenetic Differences in Stress-Related Genes in Transgender Minorities Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is associated with substantial costs in the US and living with CLBP can have a negative impact on quality of life. Individuals who identify as racial minorities are often undertreated for chronic pain conditions and report more severe and disabling CLBP. However, whereas there are established sex differences in the expression and treatment of chronic pain, little work has investigated the burden of chronic pain in gender minorities including transgender (trans) men and women. Here we are proposing to recruit transmen (N=15) and transwomen (N=15) to a current study investigating the racial differences in DNA methylation (DNAm) and gene expression in Black and White CLBP sufferers, with an emphasis on stressful environmental exposures. Trans individuals, often racial minorities in the local area, face compounded daily stress, stigma and discrimination related to race, gender and chronic pain. Thus, the addition of this population to the current study will allow a novel investigation of gender identity and the impact on DNAm and gene expression. In line with the Notice of Special Interest (NOD-OD-22-032), we will be adding gender minority participants (i.e. transgender) to an ongoing study (R01AR079178) to allow for the first exploration of gender identity effects on stress-related DNAm and gene expression.