Epigenetics in persons living with HIV: trauma, coping, and <i>FKBP5</i> and <i>SLC6A4</i> methylation.

ABSTRACT:

Aim

People living with HIV (PLWH) have an increased risk for lifetime trauma and mental health difficulties. However, no studies have evaluated stress-related genes in relation to early-life adversity, lifetime trauma, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in PLWH.

Methods

Using bisulfite pyrosequencing, we evaluated DNA methylation (DNAm) in intron 7 of FKBP5, a glucocorticoid feedback regulator, and in the promoter of SLC6A4, the serotonin transporter gene, in whole blood of a random sample of 70 PLWH recruited from an HIV program, and 51 individuals 2 years later (n = 48 at both time points). Exploratory regression analyses were conducted with DNAm in relation to trauma exposure, mental health symptoms, and coping strategies.

Results

Higher DNAm at one si

SUBMITTER: Tomlinson CJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11970741 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature