UC San Diego

Epigenetic patterns are sensitive to environmental exposure and may offer a scope to investigate biological pathways through which traumatic exposures become embodied to produce adverse health consequences. Persons living with HIV constitute a population that faces unique vulnerability to mental health burden both in the context of disease acquisition and disease stigmatization. This study is an investigation of DNA methylation (DNAm) of FK506 Binding Protein 5 (FKBP5) in relation to trauma exposure and PTSD in whole blood samples drawn at two timepoints (baseline, n = 70; follow-up, n = 51) from persons living with HIV. Specifically, we operationalized trauma into four variables (childhood vs. accumulation vs. repeated vs. recent) to compare four hypotheses about timing of sensitive windows. This study also aimed to address the role of resilience factors, such as perceived social support and various coping strategies, and their relationship to FKBP5 DNAm. We found little evidence of FKBP5 DNAm associating with any measures of trauma, PTSD, or social support. However, we found associations between FKBP5 DNAm and measures of anxiety and depression, and some coping strategies, including coping strategies of acceptance, humor, planning, and self-blame.