Epigenetic Markers Linked to Coronary Atherosclerosis in HIV Individuals

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Research conducted by investigators from University Hospital La Paz in Madrid, Spain, has identified epigenetic markers associated with coronary atherosclerosis in HIV individuals without cardiovascular disease. The study, published in Clinical Epigenetics, analyzed DNA methylation in monocytes and its correlation with coronary atherosclerosis in asymptomatic HIV individuals. The findings suggest that ABCA1 methylation and N-methyladenine DNA methylation are potential biomarkers for identifying individuals at risk of coronary atherosclerosis.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found a significant association between ABCA1 DNA methylation and coronary atherosclerosis in HIV individuals, with certain loci exhibiting strong correlations with atheroma plaque volume.
  • ABCA1 methylation showed moderate correlations with both the Leaman score and coronary plaque volume, while global DNA N-methyladenine had a negative moderate correlation with the segment severity score and LDL cholesterol.
  • The study included 27 individuals, 15 of whom had coronary atherosclerosis, and found that ABCA1 DNA methylation was higher in participants with coronary atherosclerosis.
  • The epigenetic markers identified in this study have the potential to be used as biomarkers for identifying individuals with coronary atherosclerosis in HIV individuals.
  • The study's findings suggest that epigenetic changes play a crucial role in the development of coronary atherosclerosis in HIV individuals.
  • The research highlighted the importance of monitoring epigenetic markers in HIV individuals to identify those at risk of cardiovascular disease.

Statistics:

  • The study included 27 HIV individuals, with 15 having coronary atherosclerosis.
  • ABCA1 DNA methylation was higher in participants with coronary atherosclerosis, with statistically significant differences at specific loci related to the activator protein-2 (AP-2) binding site.
  • ABCA1 methylation showed a strong association with total atheroma plaque volume, with a correlation coefficient of r = -0.73 (p < 0.01).
  • The study found a moderate correlation between ABCA1 methylation and LDL cholesterol, with a correlation coefficient of r = 0.53 (p < 0.05).

Sources:

  • Clinical Epigenetics. DNA N6-methyladenine and ABCA1 methylation associations with subclinical coronary atherosclerosis in people with HIV. 2025;17(1):158.
  • BioMed Central. www.biomedcentral.com/. Clinical Epigenetics. www.clinicalepigeneticsjournal.com
  • NewsRx. Study Results from University Hospital La Paz in the Area of HIV/AIDS Reported (DNA N6-methyladenine and ABCA1 methylation associations with subclinical coronary atherosclerosis in people with HIV). AIDS Weekly. October 13, 2025; p 194.