The Hallmarks of Ageing in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection and the Impact of Antiretroviral Therapy on Telomeres: A Molecular Perspective

Ageing is a complex and unavoidable physiological process which, in simple terms, consists of a progressive deterioration in the functionality of cells, tissues and organs, culminating in an increased risk of developing chronic pathologies. Telomeres, the repetitive nucleotide structures at the end...

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Main Authors: Miruna-Maria Apetroaei, Stella Baliou, Petros Ioannou, Persefoni Fragkiadaki, Gabriela Ștefan, Marina Ionela (Ilie) Nedea, George-Traian-Alexandru Burcea-Dragomiroiu, Bruno Ștefan Velescu, Anca Oana Docea, Denisa Ioana Udeanu, Aristidis Tsatsakis, Andreea Letiția Arsene
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Current Issues in Molecular Biology
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1467-3045/47/4/273
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author Miruna-Maria Apetroaei
Stella Baliou
Petros Ioannou
Persefoni Fragkiadaki
Gabriela Ștefan
Marina Ionela (Ilie) Nedea
George-Traian-Alexandru Burcea-Dragomiroiu
Bruno Ștefan Velescu
Anca Oana Docea
Denisa Ioana Udeanu
Aristidis Tsatsakis
Andreea Letiția Arsene
author_facet Miruna-Maria Apetroaei
Stella Baliou
Petros Ioannou
Persefoni Fragkiadaki
Gabriela Ștefan
Marina Ionela (Ilie) Nedea
George-Traian-Alexandru Burcea-Dragomiroiu
Bruno Ștefan Velescu
Anca Oana Docea
Denisa Ioana Udeanu
Aristidis Tsatsakis
Andreea Letiția Arsene
author_sort Miruna-Maria Apetroaei
collection DOAJ
description Ageing is a complex and unavoidable physiological process which, in simple terms, consists of a progressive deterioration in the functionality of cells, tissues and organs, culminating in an increased risk of developing chronic pathologies. Telomeres, the repetitive nucleotide structures at the end of chromosomes, ensure genomic integrity and modulate cellular senescence. The progressive shortening of telomere length with each cell division directly correlates with an increased susceptibility to developing chronic pathologies. However, this shortening, normally physiological and inevitable, can be markedly accelerated in the presence of chronic infections, such as HIV-1 infection, by sustained and continuous activation of the immune system, chronic inflammation, generation of oxidative stress, or direct alterations produced by viral proteins. Thus, in this narrative review, we discuss the 12 hallmarks of ageing in the context of HIV-1 infection, as understanding the molecular changes induced by HIV-1 through these well-established pillars could provide a holistic approach to the management of HIV-positive patients. At the same time, considering that telomeres are at the centre of all these changes, an assessment of the impact of antiretroviral therapy on telomere length is necessary to guide clinical decisions. The ultimate goal of this research is to develop personalised therapies to increase the quality of life and health outcomes of HIV patients.
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spelling doaj-art-ad00550f5d8e4f6bab1d155fe8edbc872025-08-20T02:28:19ZengMDPI AGCurrent Issues in Molecular Biology1467-30371467-30452025-04-0147427310.3390/cimb47040273The Hallmarks of Ageing in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection and the Impact of Antiretroviral Therapy on Telomeres: A Molecular PerspectiveMiruna-Maria Apetroaei0Stella Baliou1Petros Ioannou2Persefoni Fragkiadaki3Gabriela Ștefan4Marina Ionela (Ilie) Nedea5George-Traian-Alexandru Burcea-Dragomiroiu6Bruno Ștefan Velescu7Anca Oana Docea8Denisa Ioana Udeanu9Aristidis Tsatsakis10Andreea Letiția Arsene11Faculty of Pharmacy, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 6, Traian Vuia Street, 020956 Bucharest, RomaniaLaboratory of Toxicology and Forensic Sciences, Medical School, University of Crete, Voutes, 71003 Heraklion, GreeceDepartment of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Heraklion, 71110 Heraklion, GreeceLaboratory of Toxicology and Forensic Sciences, Medical School, University of Crete, Voutes, 71003 Heraklion, GreeceFaculty of Pharmacy, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 6, Traian Vuia Street, 020956 Bucharest, RomaniaFaculty of Pharmacy, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 6, Traian Vuia Street, 020956 Bucharest, RomaniaFaculty of Pharmacy, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 6, Traian Vuia Street, 020956 Bucharest, RomaniaFaculty of Pharmacy, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 6, Traian Vuia Street, 020956 Bucharest, RomaniaDepartment of Toxicology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, RomaniaFaculty of Pharmacy, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 6, Traian Vuia Street, 020956 Bucharest, RomaniaLaboratory of Toxicology and Forensic Sciences, Medical School, University of Crete, Voutes, 71003 Heraklion, GreeceFaculty of Pharmacy, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 6, Traian Vuia Street, 020956 Bucharest, RomaniaAgeing is a complex and unavoidable physiological process which, in simple terms, consists of a progressive deterioration in the functionality of cells, tissues and organs, culminating in an increased risk of developing chronic pathologies. Telomeres, the repetitive nucleotide structures at the end of chromosomes, ensure genomic integrity and modulate cellular senescence. The progressive shortening of telomere length with each cell division directly correlates with an increased susceptibility to developing chronic pathologies. However, this shortening, normally physiological and inevitable, can be markedly accelerated in the presence of chronic infections, such as HIV-1 infection, by sustained and continuous activation of the immune system, chronic inflammation, generation of oxidative stress, or direct alterations produced by viral proteins. Thus, in this narrative review, we discuss the 12 hallmarks of ageing in the context of HIV-1 infection, as understanding the molecular changes induced by HIV-1 through these well-established pillars could provide a holistic approach to the management of HIV-positive patients. At the same time, considering that telomeres are at the centre of all these changes, an assessment of the impact of antiretroviral therapy on telomere length is necessary to guide clinical decisions. The ultimate goal of this research is to develop personalised therapies to increase the quality of life and health outcomes of HIV patients.https://www.mdpi.com/1467-3045/47/4/273HIV-1ageingtelomere lengthtelomere attrition in HIV-1ageing biomarkersaccelerated ageing
spellingShingle Miruna-Maria Apetroaei
Stella Baliou
Petros Ioannou
Persefoni Fragkiadaki
Gabriela Ștefan
Marina Ionela (Ilie) Nedea
George-Traian-Alexandru Burcea-Dragomiroiu
Bruno Ștefan Velescu
Anca Oana Docea
Denisa Ioana Udeanu
Aristidis Tsatsakis
Andreea Letiția Arsene
The Hallmarks of Ageing in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection and the Impact of Antiretroviral Therapy on Telomeres: A Molecular Perspective
Current Issues in Molecular Biology
HIV-1
ageing
telomere length
telomere attrition in HIV-1
ageing biomarkers
accelerated ageing
title The Hallmarks of Ageing in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection and the Impact of Antiretroviral Therapy on Telomeres: A Molecular Perspective
title_full The Hallmarks of Ageing in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection and the Impact of Antiretroviral Therapy on Telomeres: A Molecular Perspective
title_fullStr The Hallmarks of Ageing in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection and the Impact of Antiretroviral Therapy on Telomeres: A Molecular Perspective
title_full_unstemmed The Hallmarks of Ageing in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection and the Impact of Antiretroviral Therapy on Telomeres: A Molecular Perspective
title_short The Hallmarks of Ageing in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection and the Impact of Antiretroviral Therapy on Telomeres: A Molecular Perspective
title_sort hallmarks of ageing in human immunodeficiency virus infection and the impact of antiretroviral therapy on telomeres a molecular perspective
topic HIV-1
ageing
telomere length
telomere attrition in HIV-1
ageing biomarkers
accelerated ageing
url https://www.mdpi.com/1467-3045/47/4/273
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