Social Ranking Determines Gene Expression

Scientists have used blood tests and found that there is a direct gene response to change in social rank.  These tests were performed on the rhesus macaque female monkeys.  When the females rank increased there was a significant difference in up to 987 different genes.



While these tests are not accurate for what would happen in the wild, in captivity it is now shown that a higher rank changes the expression of 112 genes associated with the immune system.  A higher rank also shows to have an affect on the decrease in stress, which agrees with other data previously compiled that shows lower ranked monkeys having chronic stress and compromised immune system.  These results also can be compared to studies of humans of lower socioeconomic status who have higher stress and are more prone to diseases.

The scientists were able to do blood tests before and after they removed certain monkeys from the cages, and it was shown that the gene expression changed very quickly, and certain monkeys still left in the cages increased in rank.  The newest monkeys that were added to the group had the lowest social rank, whereas in the wild the monkeys are born into their social rank.

This study is very interesting and because of how similar humans and monkeys are it can show a big correlation to stress and disease in people with a lower socioeconomic status.