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Persistent blood DNA methylation changes one year after SARS-CoV-2 infection
Joseph Balnis1,2, Andy Madrid3, Kirk J Hogan4
1Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Albany Medical College, Albany, USA.
Abstract:
We recently reported the COVID-19-induced circulating leukocytes DNA methylation profile. Here, we hypothesized that some of these genes would persist differentially methylated after disease resolution. Fifteen participants previously hospitalized for SARS-CoV-2 infection were epityped one year after discharge. Of the 1505 acute illness-induced differentially methylated regions (DMRs) previously identified, we found 71 regions with persisted differentially methylated, with an average of 7 serial CpG positions per DMR. Sixty-four DMRs persisted hypermethylated, and 7 DMR persisted hypomethylated. These data are the first reported evidence that DNA methylation changes in circulating leukocytes endure long after recovery from acute illness.
Insights
DNA methylation changes in circulating leukocytes persist long after COVID-19 recovery. Researchers found 71 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) one year post-discharge, indicating lasting epigenetic alterations from SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Area of Science:
- Epigenetics
- Immunology
- Virology
Background:
- COVID-19 infection causes significant changes in circulating leukocyte DNA methylation.
- The persistence of these epigenetic alterations after disease resolution is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether DNA methylation changes in circulating leukocytes persist one year after SARS-CoV-2 infection.
- To identify specific differentially methylated regions (DMRs) that remain altered post-recovery.
Main Methods:
- Epigenotyping of circulating leukocytes from fifteen participants previously hospitalized for SARS-CoV-2.
- Comparison of DNA methylation profiles one year after discharge with acute illness profiles.
- Identification and characterization of persistent differentially methylated regions (DMRs).
Main Results:
- Seventy-one out of 1505 acute illness-induced DMRs persisted one year after SARS-CoV-2 infection.
- These persistent DMRs involved an average of 7 serial CpG positions.
- The majority of persistent DMRs (64) were hypermethylated, while 7 were hypomethylated.
Conclusions:
- DNA methylation alterations in circulating leukocytes can endure long after recovery from acute SARS-CoV-2 infection.
- These findings provide the first evidence of long-lasting epigenetic changes following COVID-19.
- Persistent epigenetic modifications may contribute to long-term health consequences of COVID-19.
