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Updated: Jan 23, 2026

The Use of Mouse Splenocytes to Assess Pathogen-associated Molecular Pattern Influence on Clock Gene Expression
Published on: July 24, 2018
Clocking in to immunity
Christoph Scheiermann1,2, Julie Gibbs3, Louise Ince4
1Walter Brendel Centre of Experimental Medicine, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Biomedical Centre, Planegg, Martinsried, Germany. christoph.scheiermann@med.uni-muenchen.de.
Abstract:
Circadian rhythms are a ubiquitous feature of virtually all living organisms, regulating a wide diversity of physiological systems. It has long been established that the circadian clockwork plays a key role in innate immune responses, and recent studies reveal that several aspects of adaptive immunity are also under circadian control. We discuss the latest insights into the genetic and biochemical mechanisms linking immunity to the core circadian clock of the cell and hypothesize as to why the immune system is so tightly controlled by circadian oscillations. Finally, we consider implications for human health, including vaccination strategies and the emerging field of chrono-immunotherapy.
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