Airway Aging and Methylation Disruptions in HIV-associated Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease [methylation]

ABSTRACT: Purpose:To identify whether accelerated aging can be observed in the airways of PLWH with COPD, manifest by a unique DNA methylation signature. Methods: Bronchial epithelial brushings from PLWH with and without COPD and HIV-uninfected adults with and without COPD (n=76) were profiled for DNA methylation and gene expression. We evaluated global Alu and LINE-1 methylation and calculated the epigenetic age using the Horvath clock and the methylation telomere length estimator. To identify genome-wide differential DNA methylation and gene expression associated with HIV and COPD, robust linear models were used followed by an expression quantitative trait methylation (eQTM) analysis. Results:Epigenetic age acceleration and shorter methylation estimates of telomere length were found in PLWH with COPD compared to PLWH without COPD and uninfected patients with and without COPD. We identified CpG sites, genes, and eQTM-gene pairs associated with the interaction between HIV and COPD. Conclusions: Methylation age acceleration is observed in the airway epithelium of PLWH with COPD, a process that may be responsible for the heightened risk of COPD in this population. Their distinct methylation profile, differing from that observed in patients with COPD alone, suggests a unique pathogenesis to HIV-associated COPD that warrants investigation into the candidate genes identified.

ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens

PROVIDER: GSE178808 | GEO | 2022/03/18

REPOSITORIES: GEO