title: Circadian Clocks in the Hematologic System.
abstract: The hematologic system performs a number of essential functions, including oxygen transport, the execution of the immune response against tumor cells and invading pathogens, and hemostasis (blood clotting). These roles are performed by erythrocytes (red blood cells), leukocytes (white blood cells), and thrombocytes (platelets), respectively. Critically, circadian rhythms are evident in the function of all 3 cell types. In this review, we describe these oscillations, explore their mechanistic bases, and highlight their key implications. Since erythrocytes are anucleate, circadian rhythms in these cells testify to the existence of a nontranscriptional circadian clock. From a clinical perspective, leukocyte rhythms could underlie daily variation in the severity of allergic reactions, the symptoms of chronic inflammatory diseases, and the body's response to infection, while the rhythmic properties of thrombocytes may explain daily fluctuations in the incidence of heart attack and stroke. Consequently, the efficacy of treatments for these conditions is likely to depend on the timing of their administration. Last, we outline preliminary evidence that circadian disruption in the hematologic system could contribute to the deleterious effects of poor diet, shift work, and alcohol abuse on human health.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Metabolic Science, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, UK.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pritchett
authors.affiliation: Institute of Metabolic Science, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, UK areddy@cantab.net.
authors.forename: Akhilesh B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Reddy
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001692:Biological Transport; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D057906:Circadian Clocks / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D056925:Circadian Rhythm Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D056925:Circadian Rhythm Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D010100:Oxygen
keywords: Circadian rhythms; clock genes; erythrocytes; leukocytes; thrombocytes