Nativity and epigenetic age acceleration among Hispanics/Latinos in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinosl (HCHS/SOL).

OBJECTIVES

To examine nativity and age of immigration to U.S. and epigenetic age acceleration among Hispanics/Latinos residing in the U.S.

METHODS

A subsample of 961 Hispanic/Latino adults participating in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos was included in the analyses. DNAm was measured from whole blood, at two different time points six years apart, using the Illumina MethylationEPIC BeadChip and epigenetic age acceleration (EAA) was calculated using the PhenoAge, GrimAge and DunedinPACE second-generation epigenetic clocks. Nativity was categorized as U.S.-born, non-U.S.-born arriving as a child (<18 years), and non-U.S.-born arriving as an adult (≥18 years). Linear regression models were adjusted for age and cell-type proportions as time-dependent covariates and sex, educational attainment, and smoking status at baseline.

RESULTS

Foreign-born status was associated with lower GrimAge Acceleration (GrimAA). In age-stratified models, non-U.S.-born persons who arrived in the U.S. as adults and were aged 18-39 (GrimAA: B = -1.09, 95% CI: -2.00, -0.17) and 40-54 (GrimAA: B = -1.16, 95% CI: -1.97, -0.35) years at baseline had lower GrimAA compared to their U.S.-born counterparts. There were no differences in EAA among non-U.S.-born participants who arrived in the U.S. as children (vs. U.S.-born), regardless of age.

CONCLUSION

Among Hispanic/Latino adults, foreign-born status was associated with lower epigenetic aging. Further research is needed to understand the migration-related, social, and environmental factors underlying these differences.