The relationship between the epigenetic aging biomarker “grimage” and lung function in both the airway and blood of people living with HIV: An observational cohort study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Age-related comorbidities such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are common in people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH). We investigated the relationship between COPD and the epigenetic age of the airway epithelium and peripheral blood of PLWH. METHODS: decline over 6 years in blood. FINDINGS: /FVC<0.70 over the course of 6 years had higher GrimAge residuals at baseline (Beta=2.33, 95%CI=0.23-4.44, P=0.031). INTERPRETATION: GrimAge may reflect lung and systemic epigenetic changes that occur with advanced airflow obstruction and may help to identify PLWH with a higher risk of developing COPD. FUNDING: Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the British Columbia Lung Association. The START substudy was funded by NIH grants: UM1-AI068641, UM1-AI120197, and RO1HL096453.