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Glucocorticoid circadian rhythms in immune function

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Abstract

Adrenal glucocorticoid (GC) hormones are important regulators of energy metabolism, brain functions, and the immune system. Their release follows robust diurnal rhythms and GCs themselves serve as entrainment signals for circadian clocks in various tissues. In the clinics, synthetic GC analogues are widely used as immunosuppressive drugs. GC inhibitory effects on the immune system are well documented and include suppression of cytokines and increased immune cell death. However, the circadian dynamics of GC action are often neglected. Synthetic GC medications fail to mimic complex GC natural rhythms. Several recent publications have shown that endogenous GCs and their daily concentration rhythms prepare the immune system to face anticipated environmental threats. That includes migration patterns that direct specific cell population to organs and tissues best exemplified by the rhythmic expression of chemoattractants and their receptors. On the other hand, chronotherapeutic approaches may benefit the treatment of immunological diseases such as asthma. In this review, we summarise our current knowledge on the circadian regulation of GCs, their role in innate and adaptive immune functions and the implications for the clinics.

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Funding

DWR: MRC programme grant MR/P023576/1; Wellcome Trust (107849/Z/15/Z). IO, HO: DFG (RTG-1957 & OS353-10/1).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Neurobiology, Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism, University of Lübeck, Marie Curie Street, 23563, Lübeck, Germany

    Iwona Olejniczak & Henrik Oster

  2. NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK

    David W. Ray

  3. Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX37LE, UK

    David W. Ray

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  1. Iwona Olejniczak
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  2. Henrik Oster
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  3. David W. Ray
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Correspondence to Henrik Oster.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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This article is a contribution to the special issue on: Chronoimmunology: from preclinical assessments to clinical applications - Guest Editors: Henrik Oster and David Ray

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Olejniczak, I., Oster, H. & Ray, D.W. Glucocorticoid circadian rhythms in immune function. Semin Immunopathol 44, 153–163 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00281-021-00889-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00281-021-00889-2

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