Genetic Markers of PTSD linked to Immune System Response

What is the connection of PTSD and the immune system if any, who
would have thought to join the two studies, and what does this mean for the
future of both fields? In the article posted by Medical News Today on March
11th, 2015, information of PTSD and the immune system were joined into one
study. Firstly, PTSD is a chronic, mental health disorder that causes increased
violence, hyper-arousal, and reoccurring flashbacks. It is a disorder that
commonly follows a tragic, or disastrous event, often found in those
returning from military combat, or extreme stress-related events.
The disorder is of intense scientific research, studying the genetics of
it. Thus, a group of researchers in the UK and US have used a systems-level
approach. By doing so, using transcriptome RNA sequencing of blood
samples, genetic markers of pre, and post marine blood samples were
utilized. The study focused on the differences, and relationships of the genes
related to PTSD. As genetic markers of the disorder were previously studied,
the scientist aimed on the relationship of before-after blood samples. They
found that, after studying 188 US marine blood samples, a group of genes
found in the innate immune system, were also found in the blood samples of
the US marines.
To clarify, the innate immune system is the bodys first line of defense
that non-specifically defends and neutralizes pathogens for short periods of
time. The study found that prior to combat, genes that signaled for the
activation of interferons (the signals of host cells when pathogens are
detected) were identified. The finding enabled researches to question, how
and why the basic regulatory genes of the immune system were activated
prior to combat with direct vulnerability to PTSD. It also created the ability
for extended research on the biological markers that link someone,
potentially, to PTSD. If the link between the immune system, and developing
PTSD was found, what other precursors of PTSD are there. This study
specifically raises hopes for findings that enable scientists to find other
genetic markers of PTSD, making mapping, and identifying individuals at risk
for it a possibility.