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Regulation of Immunity by the Circadian Clock

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Circadian Clocks: Role in Health and Disease

Part of the book series: Physiology in Health and Disease ((PIHD))

Abstract

Over the last few years, molecular evidence has clearly shown a direct impact of daily rhythms on the immune system, both in steady state and under inflammatory conditions. Circadian oscillations have been demonstrated in the regulation of cytokine and chemokine levels as well as immune cell numbers in blood and tissues. A possible explanation for these rhythms is that species are more prone to be exposed to a variety of acute threats such as injuries and microbial infections at specific times during their circadian cycle. Also some chronic diseases follow a circadian rhythm, indicating that a greater understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms will permit the development of new and improved therapeutic strategies for treating inflammatory diseases that incorporate the element of time.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Walter-Brendel-Center of Experimental Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Marchioninistraße 27, 81377, Munich, Germany

    Alba de Juan, David Druzd, Louise Ince & Christoph Scheiermann

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  1. Alba de Juan
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  2. David Druzd
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  3. Louise Ince
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  4. Christoph Scheiermann
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Correspondence to Christoph Scheiermann .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA

    Michelle L. Gumz

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de Juan, A., Druzd, D., Ince, L., Scheiermann, C. (2016). Regulation of Immunity by the Circadian Clock. In: Gumz, M. (eds) Circadian Clocks: Role in Health and Disease. Physiology in Health and Disease. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-3450-8_9

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