Secretory IgA reactivity to acute psychosocial stress in children and adolescents: the influence of childhood maltreatment and psychopthology

Abstract

Secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) has been proposed as a biomarker of stress-related psychopathology (PP), although it remains poorly studied in youth. The present study investigated sIgA acute psychosocial stress (APS) reactivity in children and adolescent and possible s-IgA alterations associated with childhood maltreatment (CM) and PP. 93 youth (7-17 years) were recruited in the EPI young stress project. To explore sIgA variability, participants gave five saliva samples during Trier Social Stress Test for Children (TSST-C). CM was evaluated following TASSCV criteria, PP via K-SDADS-PL and pubertal development by Tanner stage. We observed sIgA fluctuations indicating the validity of TSST-C to stimulate sIgA secretion (F=4.061,p=.004). Although sIgA trajectories followed a reactivity and recovery pattern in adolescents (F=2.552,p=.042) these responses were blunted in children. No global interaction were found between sIgA and CM or PP. Our findings suggest that APS stimulates sIgA secretion, but only after puberty, and it seems to be non-affected by CM or PP. However, further studies are needed to clarify the validity of IgA as a biomarker including additional measures immediately after APS.