The circadian clock regulates innate immunity and cardiovascular diseases

Circadian rhythms are 24-h oscillating variations in physiology and behavior generated by the circadian clock, enabling an individual's circadian cycle to synchronize with the external light-dark cycle. The circadian clock precisely regulates multiple aspects of the innate immune system, including immune cells and diverse immune parameters. The oscillations of innate immune cells and their effector molecules typically determine the extent of the inflammatory responses. During the onset of cardiovascular diseases, many innate immune cells accumulate at the lesion sites. Their continuously augmented recruitment and effector function typically drive the progression of pathological processes and often coincide with cardiovascular events during their peak activities. It is essential to comprehensively understand the influence of the circadian clock on the trafficking and function of innate immune cells, as this influence exerts profound impacts on the immune and inflammatory responses to specific cardiovascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction. Proposing innate immunotherapy targeting the circadian clock is anticipated to offer valuable insights for the prevention and management strategies of cardiovascular diseases.