Published online by Cambridge University Press: 07 October 2023
The immune system is a highly dynamic element of physiology, sensitive to both the external environment and organism-intrinsic factors. Inflammatory responses of sufficient magnitude are required to maintain homeostasis and protect from disease, but must be resolved on an appropriate timescale to prevent excessive damage and chronic inflammation. The circadian clock is a critical regulator of immune function and circadian disruption is a known risk factor in multiple diseases, disturbing physiological processes and exacerbating inflammation. Interactions between the circadian clock and immune system are bidirectional, as pathogens and inflammatory molecules can themselves disrupt local rhythms in cells and tissues. Here, we discuss the evidence linking circadian disruption with maladaptive immune function, including studies of shift work, sleep deficiency, genetic disruption of rhythms, and animal models of inflammatory diseases.
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