The COVID-19 legacy: consequences for the human DNA methylome and therapeutic perspectives

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has left a lasting legacy on human health, extending beyond the acute phase of infection. This article explores the evidence suggesting that SARS-CoV-2 infection can induce persistent epigenetic modifications, particularly in DNA methylation patterns, with potential long-term consequences for individuals’ health and aging trajectories. The review discusses the potential of DNA methylation-based biomarkers, such as epigenetic clocks, to identify individuals at risk for accelerated aging and tailor personalized interventions. Integrating epigenetic clock analysis into clinical management could mark a new era of personalized treatment for COVID-19, possibly helping clinicians to understand patient susceptibility to severe outcomes and establish preventive strategies. Several valuable reviews address the role of epigenetics in infectious diseases, including the Sars-CoV-2 infection. However, this article provides an original overview of the current understanding of the epigenetic dimensions of COVID-19, offering insights into the long-term health implications of the pandemic. While acknowledging the limitations of current data, we emphasize the need for future research to unravel the precise mechanisms underlying COVID-19-induced epigenetic changes and to explore potential approaches to target these modifications.