Accelerated biological aging in COVID-19 patients
Xue Cao1,2,3, Wenjuan Li4, Ting Wang5
1Department of Oncology, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Guiyang, Guizhou, China.
Nature Communications
|April 20, 2022
Summary
Accelerated epigenetic aging and telomere attrition are linked to SARS-CoV-2 infection severity. While some epigenetic aging effects from COVID-19 may reverse, they could also contribute to long-term post-COVID conditions.
Area of Science:
- Epigenetics and viral pathogenesis
- Molecular epidemiology of infectious diseases
Background:
- Chronological age is a known risk factor for SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe COVID-19.
- Epigenetic age alterations have been observed in viral infections, but its role in COVID-19 remains understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate epigenetic aging patterns in individuals with and without COVID-19.
- To determine the association between epigenetic age acceleration and COVID-19 severity and progression.
- To explore the reversibility of epigenetic aging post-COVID-19.
Main Methods:
- DNA methylation profiling of blood samples from 232 healthy individuals and 413 COVID-19 patients using EPIC methylation arrays.
- Determination of epigenetic ages using established epigenetic clocks and a telomere length estimator.
- Calculation and comparison of epigenetic age acceleration between different groups and over time.
Main Results:
- Strong correlations were observed between epigenetic clocks and chronological age (r > 0.8, p < 0.0001).
- Increasing acceleration of epigenetic aging and telomere attrition were found in sequential samples from healthy individuals and patients with non-severe to severe COVID-19.
- Longitudinal analysis indicated partial reversal of accumulated epigenetic aging in some patients during late clinical phases.
Conclusions:
- Accelerated epigenetic aging is associated with increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and developing severe COVID-19.
- The accumulation of epigenetic aging due to COVID-19 may play a role in the development of post-COVID-19 syndrome.
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