Epigenetic patterns, accelerated biological aging, and enhanced epigenetic drift detected 6 months following COVID-19 infection: insights from a genome-wide DNA methylation study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The epigenetic status of patients 6-month post-COVID-19 infection remains largely unexplored. The existence of long-COVID, or post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), suggests potential long-term changes. Long-COVID includes symptoms like fatigue, neurological issues, and organ-related problems, regardless of initial infection severity. The mechanisms behind long-COVID are unclear, but virus-induced epigenetic changes could play a role.

Methods and results

Our study explores the lasting epigenetic impacts of SARS-CoV-2 infection. We analyzed genome-wide DNA methylation patterns in an Italian cohort of 96 patients 6 months after COVID-19 exposure, comparing them to 191 healthy controls. We identified 42 CpG sites with significant methylation differences

SUBMITTER: Calzari L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11337605 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature