How body clock may shape inflammation, cancer risk and timing of future treatments

AI Summary

Researchers from Kyushu University have discovered a mechanism by which the circadian clock protein BMAL1 influences inflammatory responses in immune cells. This finding could lead to new treatments for inflammatory diseases and cancer by targeting the body clock.

Daily life is shaped by the solar day, influencing when we wake up, eat, work and sleep. Inside the body, a similar internal timing system—present in nearly every cell—known as the circadian clock synchronizes many biological functions, such as sleep, metabolism, hormone release and even the immune system's activity. Now, researchers from Kyushu University have uncovered a previously unknown mechanism by which the circadian clock protein called brain and muscle ARNT-like 1 (BMAL1) enhances inflammatory responses in immune cells. The findings offer new insights into how the body clock influences immune responses and may pave the way for new approaches to treating inflammatory diseases and cancer.