Accelerated aging with HIV begins at the time of initial HIV infection

Elizabeth Crabb Breen, Mary E. Sehl, Roger Shih, Peter Langfelder, Ruibin Wang, Steve Horvath, Jay H. Bream, Priya Duggal, Jeremy Martinson, Steven M. Wolinsky, Otoniel Martínez-Maza, Christina M. Ramirez, Beth D. Jamieson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Living with HIV infection is associated with early onset of aging-related chronic conditions, sometimes described as accelerated aging. Epigenetic DNA methylation patterns can evaluate acceleration of biological age relative to chronological age. The impact of initial HIV infection on five epigenetic measures of aging was examined before and approximately 3 years after HIV infection in the same individuals (n=102). Significant epigenetic age acceleration (median 1.9–4.8 years) and estimated telomere length shortening (all p≤ 0.001) were observed from pre-to post-HIV infection, and remained significant in three epigenetic measures after controlling for T cell changes. No acceleration was seen in age- and time interval-matched HIV-uninfected controls. Changes in genome-wide co-methylation clusters were also significantly associated with initial HIV infection (p≤ 2.0 × 10−4). These longitudinal observations clearly demonstrate an early and substantial impact of HIV infection on the epigenetic aging process, and suggest a role for HIV itself in the earlier onset of clinical aging.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number104488
JournaliScience
Volume25
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 15 2022

Keywords

  • Epigenetics
  • Human physiology
  • Immunology
  • Virology

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Accelerated aging with HIV begins at the time of initial HIV infection'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this