New research from RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences has shed light on how the body’s internal clock influences the inflammatory process of the immune system. The study explains how immune cells, called macrophages, exhibit different behaviors at different times of the day, opening up the possibility of developing time-targeted treatments for inflammatory conditions like arthritis.
The researchers delved into the connection between the immune system and the body’s circadian rhythms, also known as the body clock. Macrophages, the immune cells responsible for detecting and responding to harmful substances, trigger inflammation by forming inflammasomes, which act as alarm systems alerting the immune system of potential threats.
The research paper titled “Time of day control of mitochondria regulates NLRP3 inflammasome activation in macrophages” has been published in The FASEB Journal. The study found that the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, a key player in the inflammatory response, is not constant throughout the day but is instead regulated by the body’s 24-hour circadian clock. This daily rhythm dictates when macrophages are most effective at recognizing dangers and when their energy levels peak to mount a response. The research also emphasizes the crucial role of mitochondria, the cell’s energy generators, in driving these daily fluctuations in immune activity.
Professor Annie Curtis, the Principal Investigator of the study at RCSI School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, highlighted that macrophages exhibit quicker and more robust inflammasome activation in the morning when their immune response is heightened. This aligns with the body’s wakeful state when it is more likely to encounter environmental challenges such as infections or injuries.
The findings of this study hold significant implications for the understanding and treatment of inflammatory diseases, particularly conditions like arthritis where hyperactive inflammasomes play a central role. The aggravation of symptoms in the morning in such diseases could be better understood through this research.
Lead author of the study, Dr. James O’Siorain, suggested that the findings could lead to more effective treatments for inflammatory conditions by targeting inflammasomes at specific times of the day when macrophage activity peaks.
Overall, this study opens up new avenues for developing therapies that can harness the body’s circadian rhythms to optimize immune responses and improve treatment outcomes for inflammatory diseases. The insights gained from this research could pave the way for personalized and time-targeted interventions for conditions characterized by excessive inflammation.
