Circadian Clock Gene Expression Research Articles

Acrolein-triggered atherosclerosis via AMPK/SIRT1-CLOCK/BMAL1 pathway and a protection from intermittent fasting.

Circadian clock plays a vital role in the pathological progression of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Our previous studies showed that acrolein, an environmental pollutant, promoted atherosclerosis by reducing CLOCK/BMAL1 and disturbing circadian rhythm. Whereas, intermittent fasting (IF), a diet pattern, was able to ameliorate acrolein-induced atherosclerosis. In vivo, mice were fed acrolein 3 mg/kg/day via drinking water and IF for 18h (0:00-18:00). We observed that IF decreased acrolein-accelerated the formation of aortic lesion in ApoE -/- mice. Up-regulation of NF-κB, IL-1β and TNF-α levels were found in liver and heart tissue upon acrolein exposure, while was down-regulated by IF. Interestingly, IF treatment exhibited higher AMPK, p-AMPK and SIRT1and lower MAPK expression which was caused by acrolein. Besides, circadian genes Clock/ Bmal1 expression were suppressed and disturbed treated with acrolein, while were reversed by IF. Furthermore, consistent with that in vivo, short-term starvation as a fasting cell model in vitro could improve the disorders of CLOCK/BMAL1 and raised SIRT1 via regulating AMPK, as well as ROS-MAPK induced by acrolein. In conclusion, we demonstrated that IF repressed ROS-MAPK while activated AMPK to elevate the expression of circadian clock genes to ameliorate acrolein-induced atherogenesis, which shed a novel light to prevent cardiovascular diseases.

Assessing the Feasibility and Efficacy of Pre-Sleep Dim Light Therapy for Adults with Insomnia: A Pilot Study.

Background: Insomnia is increasingly recognized for its marked impact on public health and is often associated with various adverse health outcomes, including cardiovascular diseases and mental health disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of pre-sleep dim light therapy (LT) as a non-pharmacological intervention for insomnia in adults, assessing its influence on sleep parameters and circadian rhythms. Methods: A randomized, open-label, two-arm clinical trial was conducted over two weeks with 40 participants aged 20-60 years, all of whom had sleep disorders (CRIS, KCT0008501). They were allocated into control and LT groups. The LT group received exposure to warm-colored light, minimizing the blue spectrum, before bedtime. The study combined subjective evaluation via validated, sleep-related questionnaires, objective sleep assessments via actigraphy, and molecular analyses of circadian clock gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Baseline characteristics between the two groups were compared using an independent t-test for continuous variables and the chi-squared test for categorical variables. Within-group differences were assessed using the paired t-test. Changes between groups were analyzed using linear regression, adjusting for each baseline value and body mass index. The patterns of changes in sleep parameters were calculated using a linear mixed model. Results: The LT group exhibited significant improvements in sleep quality (difference in difference [95% CI]; -2.00 [-3.58, -0.43], and sleep efficiency (LT: 84.98 vs. control: 82.11, p = 0.032), and an advanced Dim Light Melatonin Onset compared to the control group (approximately 30 min). Molecular analysis indicated a significant reduction in CRY1 gene expression after LT, suggesting an influence on circadian signals for sleep regulation. Conclusions: This study provides evidence for the efficacy of LT in improving sleep quality and circadian rhythm alignment in adults with insomnia. Despite limitations, such as a small sample size and short study duration, the results underscore the potential of LT as a viable non-pharmacological approach for insomnia. Future research should expand on these results with larger and more diverse cohorts followed over a longer period to validate and further elucidate the value of LT in sleep medicine. Trial registration: The trial was registered with the Clinical Research Information Service (KCT0008501).

Epidermal retinol dehydrogenases cyclically regulate stem cell markers and clock genes and influence hair composition

The hair follicle (HF) is a self-renewing adult miniorgan that undergoes drastic metabolic and morphological changes during precisely timed cyclic organogenesis. The HF cycle is known to be regulated by steroid hormones, growth factors and circadian clock genes. Recent data also suggest a role for a vitamin A derivative, all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA), the activating ligand of transcription factors, retinoic acid receptors, in the regulation of the HF cycle. Here we demonstrate that ATRA signaling cycles during HF regeneration and this pattern is disrupted by genetic deletion of epidermal retinol dehydrogenases 2 (RDHE2, SDR16C5) and RDHE2-similar (RDHE2S, SDR16C6) that catalyze the rate-limiting step in ATRA biosynthesis. Deletion of RDHEs results in accelerated anagen to catagen and telogen to anagen transitions, altered HF composition, reduced levels of HF stem cell markers, and dysregulated circadian clock gene expression, suggesting a broad role of RDHEs in coordinating multiple signaling pathways.

Analysis of morphology, histology characteristics, and circadian clock gene expression of Onychostoma macrolepis at the overwintering period and the breeding period.

Fish typically adapt to their environment through evolutionary traits, and this adaptive strategy plays a critical role in promoting species diversity. Onychostoma macrolepis is a rare and endangered wild species that exhibits a life history of overwintering in caves and breeding in mountain streams. We analyzed the morphological characteristics, histological structure, and expression of circadian clock genes in O. macrolepis to elucidate its adaptive strategies to environmental changes in this study. The results showed that the relative values of O. macrolepis eye diameter, body height, and caudal peduncle height enlarged significantly during the breeding period. The outer layer of the heart was dense; the ventricular myocardial wall was thickened; the fat was accumulated in the liver cells; the red and white pulp structures of the spleen, renal tubules, and glomeruli were increased; and the goblet cells of the intestine were decreased in the breeding period. In addition, the spermatogenic cyst contained mature sperm, and the ovaries were filled with eggs at various stages of development. Throughout the overwintering period, the melano-macrophage center is located between the spleen and kidney, and the melano-macrophage center in the cytoplasm has the ability to synthesize melanin, and is arranged in clusters to form cell clusters or white pulp scattered in it. Circadian clock genes were identified in all organs, exhibiting significant differences between the before/after overwintering period and the breeding period. These findings indicate that the environment plays an important role in shaping the behavior of O. macrolepis, helping the animals to build self-defense mechanisms during cyclical habitat changes. Studying the morphological, histological structure and circadian clock gene expression of O. macrolepis during the overwintering and breeding periods is beneficial for understanding its unique hibernation behavior in caves. Additionally, it provides an excellent biological sample for investigating the environmental adaptability of atypical cavefish species.

A scenario of unhealthy life cycle: The role of circadian rhythms in health.

Circadian rhythms are oscillations in physiology and behavior caused by the circadian regulator. Cryptochromes, Periods, and Bmal1 are circadian clock genes that have been linked to aging and cancer. Human pathologies alter circadian clock gene expression, and transgenic rats with clock gene defects progress to cancer and age prematurely. In the growth of age-linked pathologies and carcinogenesis, cell proliferation and genome integrity play critical roles. The relationship concerning the cell cycle regulation and circadian clock is discussed in this article. The circadian clock controls the behavior and countenance of many main cell cycle and cell cycle check-point proteins, and cell cycle-associated proteins, in turn, control the activity and expression of circadian clock proteins. The circadian clock can be reset by DNA disruption, providing a molecular mechanism for mutual control amid the cell cycle and the clock. This circadian clock-dependent regulation of cell proliferation, composed with other circadian clock-dependent physiological functions including metabolism control, genotoxic and oxidative stress response, and DNA repair, unlocks new avenues for studying the processes of aging and carcinogenesis.

Ginseng extracts improve circadian clock gene expression and reduce inflammation directly and indirectly through gut microbiota and PI3K signaling pathway

Despite the potential benefits of herbal medicines for therapeutic application in preventing and treating various metabolic disorders, the mechanisms of action were understood incompletely. Ginseng (Panax ginseng), a commonly employed plant as a dietary supplement, has been reported to play its hot property in increasing body temperature and improving gut health. However, a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms by which ginseng regulates body temperature and gut health is still incomplete. This paper illustrates that intermittent supplementation with ginseng extracts improved body temperature rhythm and suppressed inflammatory responses in peripheral metabolic organs of propylthiouracil (PTU)-induced hypothermic rats. These effects were associated with changes in gut hormone secretion and the microbiota profile. The in-vitro studies in ICE-6 cells indicate that ginseng extracts can not only act directly on the cell to regulate the genes related to circadian clock and inflammation, but also may function through the gut microbiota and their byproducts such as lipopolysaccharide. Furthermore, administration of PI3K inhibitor blocked ginseng or microbiota-induced gene expression related with circadian clock and inflammation in vitro. These findings demonstrate that the hot property of ginseng may be mediated by improving circadian clock and suppressing inflammation directly or indirectly through the gut microbiota and PI3K-AKT signaling pathways.

Diel Cycle Proteomics: Illuminating Molecular Dynamics in Purple Bacteria for Optimized Biotechnological Applications.

Circadian rhythms, characterized by approximately 24 h cycles, play a pivotal role in enabling various organisms to synchronize their biological activities with daily variations. While ubiquitous in Eukaryotes, circadian clocks remain exclusively characterized in Cyanobacteria among Prokaryotes. These rhythms are regulated by a core oscillator, which is controlled by a cluster of three genes: kaiA, kaiB, and kaiC. Interestingly, recent studies revealed rhythmic activities, potentially tied to a circadian clock, in other Prokaryotes, including purple bacteria such as Rhodospirillum rubrum, known for its applications in fuel and plastic bioproduction. However, the pivotal question of how light and dark cycles influence protein dynamics and the expression of putative circadian clock genes remains unexplored in purple non-sulfur bacteria. Unraveling the regulation of these molecular clocks holds the key to unlocking optimal conditions for harnessing the biotechnological potential of R. rubrum. Understanding how its proteome responds to different light regimes-whether under continuous light or alternating light and dark cycles-could pave the way for precisely fine-tuning bioproduction processes. Here, we report for the first time the expressed proteome of R. rubrum grown under continuous light versus light and dark cycle conditions using a shotgun proteomic analysis. In addition, we measured the impact of light regimes on the expression of four putative circadian clock genes (kaiB1, kaiB2, kaiC1, kaiC2) at the transcriptional and translational levels using RT-qPCR and targeted proteomic (MRM-MS), respectively. The data revealed significant effects of light conditions on the overall differential regulation of the proteome, particularly during the early growth stages. Notably, several proteins were found to be differentially regulated during the light or dark period, thus impacting crucial biological processes such as energy conversion pathways and the general stress response. Furthermore, our study unveiled distinct regulation of the four kai genes at both the mRNA and protein levels in response to varying light conditions. Deciphering the impact of the diel cycle on purple bacteria not only enhances our understanding of their ecology but also holds promise for optimizing their applications in biotechnology, providing valuable insights into the origin and evolution of prokaryotic clock mechanisms.

Assessment of circadian rhythm markers and clock genes expression in patients with Chronic Insomnia

Assessment of circadian rhythm markers and clock genes expression in patients with Chronic Insomnia

Light pollution disrupts circadian clock gene expression in two mosquito vectors during their overwintering dormancy

Artificial light at night (ALAN) is an increasingly important form of environmental disturbance as it alters Light:Dark cycles that regulate daily and seasonal changes in physiology and phenology. The Northern house mosquito (Culex pipiens) and the tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) enter an overwintering dormancy known as diapause that is cued by short days. These two species differ in diapause strategy: Cx. pipiens diapause as adult females while Ae. albopictus enter a maternally-programmed, egg diapause. Previous studies found that ALAN inhibits diapause in both species, but the mechanism is unknown. As the circadian clock is implicated in the regulation of diapause in many insects, we examined whether exposure to ALAN altered the daily expression of core circadian cloc genes (cycle, Clock, period, timeless, cryptochrome 1, cryptochrome 2, and Par domain protein 1) in these two species when reared under short-day, diapause-inducing conditions. We found that exposure to ALAN altered the abundance of several clock genes in adult females of both species, but that clock gene rhythmicity was maintained for most genes. ALAN also had little effect on clock gene abundance in mature oocytes that were dissected from female Ae. albopictus that were reared under short day conditions. Our findings indicate that ALAN may inhibit diapause initiation through the circadian clock in two medically-important mosquitoes.

A pilot study on the expression of circadian clock genes in the alveolar bone of mice with periodontitis

ABSTRACT This study aimed to investigate the expression of circadian clock genes in mouse alveolar bone, and the possible reasons for these changes. Fifty C57 mice were orally inoculated with P. gingivalis, establishing a model of periodontitis using healthy mice as controls. The alveolar bone of both groups was taken for micro-computed tomography scanning to measure the amount of attachment loss, and the relative expression of mRNA in each clock gene and periodontitis related inflammatory factor was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). After the establishment of the mouse model, the height of alveolar bone in the periodontitis group was significantly lower than that in the normal group (p < 0.05). The relative transcriptional level of Bmal1, Per2, and Cry1 mRNA was in the circadian rhythm in the normal group (p ≤ 0.05), while in the periodontitis group, its circadian rhythm disappeared and the transcriptional level characteristics were changed. Interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interferon (IFN-γ) mRNA transcriptional level were elevated in the periodontitis group compared to the normal group. In conclusion, the mRNA transcriptional level of Bmal1, Per2, and Cry1 in alveolar bone of normal mice has circadian rhythm, but the rhythm disappears under the condition of periodontitis, and the cause of its occurrence may be related to inflammatory cytokines.

Circadian clock gene expression and polymorphism in non-segmental vitiligo

BackgroundVitiligo is an acquired and progressive mucocutaneous disease with the damage of functioning epidermal melanocytes. Metabolic syndrome is associated with inflammatory skin diseases incorporating vitiligo. The circadian dysfunction triggers the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases, so our study aimed to determine the relationship between aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator-like gene, a ligand-activated transcription factor and sensor of environmental chemicals, expression and polymorphism with non-segmental vitiligo, as well as its effect on lipid profile.MethodsThis case-control study was handled on 50 non-segmental vitiligo patients (generalized (12) and localized type (focal; 24 and acrofacial; 14)) and 50 matched controls. Each subject was proposed for full history taking, clinical examinations, serum lipid profile, and measurement of BMAL1 gene expression in the blood, and BMAL1 rs2279287 polymorphism of DNA extract from whole blood by real time-PCR.ResultsWe identified that total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein were significantly higher, but high-density lipoprotein was significantly lower in non-segmental vitiligo patients than in the control group. A significant increase in circadian gene expression in non-segmental vitiligo patients was observed, with more detection of the BMAL1 T/C genotype (92%) than the T/T genotype. There was a significant positive relationship between the level of the circadian gene and the vitiligo patient’s age, age of onset, and VIDA Score. The level of the circadian gene at Cutoff ≥ 1.16 can predict the prognosis of vitiligo with a sensitivity of 78%, specificity of 84%, and accuracy of 81%.ConclusionThe circadian gene has an active role in the progress of non-segmental vitiligo and targeting this gene could have a significant impact on its management.

Chronic Inflammation Disrupts Circadian Rhythms in Splenic CD4+ and CD8+ T Cells in Mice.

Internal circadian clocks coordinate 24 h rhythms in behavior and physiology. Many immune functions show daily oscillations, and cellular circadian clocks can impact immune functions and disease outcome. Inflammation may disrupt circadian clocks in peripheral tissues and innate immune cells. However, it remains elusive if chronic inflammation impacts adaptive immune cell clock, e.g., in CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes. We studied this in the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a mouse model for multiple sclerosis, as an established experimental paradigm for chronic inflammation. We analyzed splenic T cell circadian clock and immune gene expression rhythms in mice with late-stage EAE, CFA/PTx-treated, and untreated mice. In both treatment groups, clock gene expression rhythms were altered with differential effects for baseline expression and peak phase compared with control mice. Most immune cell marker genes tested in this study did not show circadian oscillations in either of the three groups, but time-of-day- independent alterations were observed in EAE and CFA/PTx compared to control mice. Notably, T cell effects were likely independent of central clock function as circadian behavioral rhythms in EAE mice remained intact. Together, chronic inflammation induced by CFA/PTx treatment and EAE immunization has lasting effects on circadian rhythms in peripheral immune cells.

Sex-dependent circadian alterations of both central and peripheral clock genes expression and gut–microbiota composition during activity-based anorexia in mice

RationalePatients with anorexia nervosa (AN) often present sleep disorders and circadian hormonal dysregulation. The role of the microbiota–gut–brain axis in the regulation of feeding behavior has emerged during the last decades but its relationships with the circadian rhythm remains poorly documented. Thus, we aimed to characterize the circadian clock genes expression in peripheral and central tissues in the activity-based anorexia mouse model (ABA), as well as the dynamics of the gut–microbiota composition.MethodsFrom day 1 to day 17, male and female C57Bl/6 mice were submitted or not to the ABA protocol (ABA and control (CT) groups), which combines a progressive limited access to food and a free access to a running wheel. At day 17, fasted CT and ABA mice were euthanized after either resting (EoR) or activity (EoA) phase (n = 10–12 per group). Circadian clock genes expression was assessed by RT-qPCR on peripheral (liver, colon and ileum) and central (hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus or SCN) tissues. Cecal bacterial taxa abundances were evaluated by qPCR. Data were compared by two-way ANOVA followed by post-tests.ResultsABA mice exhibited a lower food intake, a body weight loss and an increase of diurnal physical activity that differ according with the sex. Interestingly, in the SCN, only ABA female mice exhibited altered circadian clock genes expression (Bmal1, Per1, Per2, Cry1, Cry2). In the intestinal tract, modification of clock genes expression was also more marked in females compared to males. For instance, in the ileum, female mice showed alteration of Bmal1, Clock, Per1, Per2, Cry1, Cry2 and Rev-erbα mRNA levels, while only Per2 and Cry1 mRNAs were affected by ABA model in males. By contrast, in the liver, clock genes expression was more markedly affected in males compared to females in response to ABA. Finally, circadian variations of gut–bacteria abundances were observed in both male and female mice and sex-dependent alteration were observed in response to the ABA model.ConclusionsThis study shows that alteration of circadian clock genes expression at both peripheral and central levels occurs in response to the ABA model. In addition, our data underline that circadian variations of the gut–microbiota composition are sex-dependent.

Use of Minimally Invasive Methods to Assess Fuel Utilization and Circadian Rhythms in Older Adults.

Aging is associated with multiple physiological changes that contribute synergistically and independently to physical disability and the risk of chronic disease. Although the etiology of age-related physical disability is complex and multifactorial, the decline in mitochondrial function appears to coincide with the progression of functional decline in many older adults. The reason why there is a decrease in mitochondrial function with aging remains elusive, but emerging science indicates that both fuel metabolism and circadian rhythms can influence mitochondrial function. Recent studies have established that circadian rhythms become disturbed with aging, and that disrupted circadian rhythms have pathological consequences that impact mitochondrial function and overlap with many age-associated chronic diseases. Current quantitative methods for direct assessment of mitochondrial function are invasive and typically require a muscle biopsy, which can pose difficulties with participant recruitment and study adherence, given the perceived levels of potential pain and risk. Thus, an innovative and relatively noninvasive protocol to assess changes in mitochondrial function at the cellular level and circadian patterns in older adults was adapted. Specifically, a real-time metabolic flux analyzer is used to assess the mitochondrial bioenergetic function of white blood cells under differential substrate availability. The expression of circadian clock genes in white blood cells to cross-correlate with the mitochondrial bioenergetics and circadian rhythm outcomes are also analyzed. It is believed that these innovative methodological approaches will aid future clinical trials by providing minimally invasive methods for studying mitochondrial substrate preference and circadian rhythms in older adults.

Effects of time-restricted exercise on activity rhythms and exercise-induced adaptations in the heart

Circadian rhythms play a crucial role in the regulation of various physiological processes, including cardiovascular function and metabolism. Exercise provokes numerous beneficial adaptations in heart, including physiological hypertrophy, and serves to shift circadian rhythms. This study investigated the impact of time-restricted exercise training on exercise-induced adaptations in the heart and locomotor activity rhythms. Male mice (n = 45) were allocated to perform voluntary, time-restricted exercise in the early active phase (EAP), late active phase (LAP), or remain sedentary (SED) for 6 weeks. Subsequently, mice were allowed 24-h ad libitum access to the running wheel to assess diurnal rhythms in locomotor activity. Heart weight and cross-sectional area were measured at sacrifice, and cardiac protein and gene expression levels were assessed for markers of mitochondrial abundance and circadian clock gene expression. Mice rapidly adapted to wheel running, with EAP mice exhibiting a significantly greater running distance compared to LAP mice. Time-restricted exercise induced a shift in voluntary wheel activity during the 24-h free access period, with the acrophase in activity being significantly earlier in EAP mice compared to LAP mice. Gene expression analysis revealed a higher expression of Per1 in LAP mice. EAP exercise elicited greater cardiac hypertrophy compared to LAP exercise. These findings suggest that the timing of exercise affects myocardial adaptations, with exercise in the early active phase inducing hypertrophy in the heart. Understanding the time-of-day dependent response to exercise in the heart may have implications for optimizing exercise interventions for cardiovascular health.

Effects of PM2.5 exposure on clock gene BMAL1 and cell cycle in human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure has been closely associated with cardiovascular diseases, which are relevant to cell cycle arrest. Brain and muscle aryl-hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator-like protein 1 (BMAL1) not only participates in regulating the circadian clock but also plays a role in modulating cell cycle. However, the precise contribution of the circadian clock gene BMAL1 to PM2.5-induced cell cycle change remains unclear. This study aims to explore the impact of PM2.5 exposure on BMAL1 expression and the cell cycle in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). HUVECs was exposed to PM2.5 for 24 hours at different concentrations ((0, 12.5, 25, 75 and 100 μg.mL-1) to elucidate the potential toxic mechanism. Following exposure to PM2.5, cell viability, ROS, cell cycle, and the expression of key genes and proteins were detected. A remarkable decrease in cell viability is observed in the PM2.5-exposed HUVECs, as well as a significant increase in ROS production. In addition, PM2.5-exposed HUVECs have cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase, and the gene expression of p27 is also markedly increased. The protein expression of BMAL1 and the gene expression of BMAL1 are increased significantly. Moreover, the protein expressions of p-p38 MAPK and p-ERK1/2 exhibit a marked increase in the PM2.5-exposed HUVECs. Furthermore, following the transfection of HUVECs with siBMAL1 to suppress BMAL1 expression, we observed a reduction in both the protein and gene expression of the MAPK/ERK pathway in HUVECs exposed to PM2.5. Overall, our results indicate that PM2.5 exposure significantly upregulates the circadian clock gene expression of BMAL1 and regulates G0/G1 cell cycle arrest in HUVECs through the MAPK/ERK pathway, which may provide new insights into the potential molecular mechanism regarding BMAL1 on PM2.5-induced cardiovascular diseases.

Glymphatic dysfunction coincides with lower GABA levels and sleep disturbances in succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency.

Succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency (SSADHD) is an inherited metabolic disorder of γ-aminobutyrate (GABA) catabolism. Cerebral waste clearance along glymphatic perivascular spaces depends on aquaporin 4 (AQP4) water channels, the function of which was shown to be influenced by GABA. Sleep disturbances are associated independently with SSADHD and glymphatic dysfunction. This study aimed to determine whether indices of the hyperGABAergic state characteristic of SSADHD coincide with glymphatic dysfunction and sleep disturbances and to explicate the modulatory effect that GABA may have on the glymphatic system. The study included 42 individuals (21 with SSADHD; 21 healthy controls) who underwent brain MRIs and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) for assessment of glymphatic dysfunction and cortical GABA, plasma GABA measurements, and circadian clock gene expression. The SSADHD subjects responded to an additional Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ). Compared with the control group, SSADHD subjects did not differ in sex and age but had a higher severity of enlarged perivascular spaces in the centrum semiovale (p < 0.001), basal ganglia (p = 0.01), and midbrain (p = 0.001), as well as a higher MRS-derived GABA/NAA peak (p < 0.001). Within the SSADHD group, the severity of glymphatic dysfunction was specific for a lower MRS-derived GABA/NAA (p = 0.04) and lower plasma GABA (p = 0.004). Additionally, the degree of their glymphatic dysfunction correlated with the CSHQ-estimated sleep disturbances scores (R = 5.18, p = 0.03). In the control group, EPVS burden did not correlate with age or cerebral and plasma GABA values. The modulatory effect that GABA may exert on the glymphatic system has therapeutic implications for sleep-related disorders and neurodegenerative conditions associated with glymphatic dysfunction.

In Vitro Circadian Clock Gene Expression Assessments in Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Human Infants: A Pilot Study.

Exposure to intrauterine obesity can disrupt clock gene rhythmicity in animal models. The aim of this pilot study was to determine if maternal obesity alters rhythmic expression of core clock in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from umbilical cords of human infants born to mothers with obesity (Ob-MSC) vs. normal weight (NW-MSC). We compared in vitro rhythmic expression patterns of core clock (BMAL1, CLOCK, PER2) and clock-output (NR1D1), components in undifferentiated Ob-MSCs (n = 3) vs. NW-MSCs (n = 3). MSCs were harvested every 2 h, following a dexamethasone shock, for 30 h. Adipogenesis or myogenesis was induced in vitro and markers of adipogenesis and fat storage were assessed, respectively. We detected significant rhythmicity in expression patterns of BMAL1, PER2, and NR1D1 at the group level in Ob- and NW-MSCs (p < 0.05). PER2 oscillatory amplitude was 3-fold higher in Ob-MSCs vs. NW-MSCs (p < 0.006). During adipogenesis, Ob-MSCs had higher PPARγ protein content (p = 0.04) vs. NW-MSC. During myogenesis, Ob-MSCs had higher saturated triacylglycerols (p = 0.04) vs. NW-MSC. Rhythmic expressions of BMAL1, PER2, and NR1D1 are detectable in undifferentiated MSCs. Higher PER2 oscillatory amplitude was paralleled by higher markers of fat storage during differentiation in Ob-MSCs vs. NW-MSCs, and supports that the core clock and cellular metabolism may be linked in infant MSCs.

BMAL1 positively correlates with genes regulating steroidogenesis in human luteinized granulosa cells.

In this study, we examined the relationship between BMAL1 expression and the genes regulating steroid biosynthesis in human luteinized granulosa cells. BMAL1 function is crucial for steroid production and proper ovarian function, highlighting the importance of circadian clock regulation in female reproductive health. Human luteinized granulosa cells were collected to analyze circadian clock gene expression and its effect on the genes regulating steroid biosynthesis. We used siRNA to knock down the expression of BMAL1 in KGN cells. We measured the expression levels of genes regulating steroid biosynthesis and circadian clock RT-qPCR. We demonstrated that BMAL1 expression positively correlates with genes regulating steroid biosynthesis (CYP11A1, CYP19A1, STAR, and ESR2). The knockdown of BMAL1 in KGN cells revealed a significant decrease in steroid synthase expression. In contrast, when BMAL1 was overexpressed in KGN and HGL5 cells, we observed a significant increase in the expression of steroid synthases, such as CYP11A1 and CYP19A1. These results indicated that BMAL1 positively controls 17β-estradiol (E2) secretion in granulosa cells. We also demonstrated that dexamethasone synchronization in KGN cells enhanced the rhythmic alterations in circadian clock genes. Our study suggests that BMAL1 plays a critical role in steroid biosynthesis in human luteinized granulosa cells, thereby emphasizing the importance of BMAL1 in the regulation of reproductive physiology.

Effects of Light and Feeding on Expressions of Clock Genes and Metabolic Genes in the Ridgetail Shrimp, Exopalaemon carinicauda

The changes of the circadian clock genes expression, growth, and muscle composition in Exopalaemon carinicauda under different photoperiods and feeding time were investigated by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and muscle biochemical composition analysis, respectively. Results showed that four clock genes of Clock, Cry1, Tim, and Per2 showed significant circadian rhythms in both eyestalk and hepatopancreas. Their expression rhythms were highly correlated with the photoperiod in the eyestalk, but in the hepatopancreas, it was significantly correlated with the feeding time. Moreover, the expressions of several metabolic genes were also variable; adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) and amyloglucosidase (AGL) changed significantly with the shift of feeding time, whereas methionine synthase (MS) and succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) changed significantly with the photoperiod. This reflected the close relationship between the metabolic and circadian clock in E. carinicauda; Alterations in photoperiod or feeding time lead to changes in the biological clock systems, which affects the daily expression of metabolic genes at the downstream metabolic pathway and closely correlates their expression rhythms with epi-environmental factors such as feeding. It can be seen from the results that the feeding was also a significant factor that affected the crude protein and crude fat contents in muscle tissue of E. carinicauda; their highest values (18.69% ± 0.13%, 1.81% ± 0.02%) were also occurred in the treatment with feeding at 19:00. Differences in muscle composition through a similar mechanism of action, i.e., the biological clock system are affected by the feeding and then regulated changes in downstream metabolic processes. As a result, the optimized conditions for the cultivation of E. carinicauda were a short light-phase photoperiod (8L : 16D) with feeding after sunset (19:00).