Circadian Regulation of Viral Replication and Immune Responses: Implications for COVID-19 and Other Viral Infections
College
College of Arts and Sciences
Mentor Information
Dr. Juan David Ramirez-Gonzalez PhD
Description
Circadian rhythms are 24-hour biological cycles regulating sleep, metabolism, and immune activity. Recent research shows circadian clock genes can influence immune responses. Studies on SARS-CoV-2 and influenza show clock genes regulate viral entry, replication, and immune signaling. However, their role in infection risk, immune defense, replication dynamics, and disease outcomes remains undefined. This study evaluates how circadian rhythms regulate viral replication and immune responses in COVID-19 and other viral infections. This review utilized PubMed to identify articles from the past five years using the terms “(immunity) AND (circadian) AND (viruses OR virus OR viral).”After reviewing 149 abstracts, 44 peer-reviewed articles were analyzed. Articles on vaccination, melatonin, cancers, or other unrelated topics were excluded. Selected articles examined circadian rhythms, clock genes, immune responses, and viral infections across clinical, in vitro, and animal models. Circadian rhythms regulate viral replication through clock genes such as CLOCK and BMAL1. Circadian disruptions promote replication of viruses, including herpesviruses, influenza, and SARS-CoV-2, worsening disease severity. Circadian disruptions can occur due to lack of sleep or light, and the specific outcomes on viral replication dynamics are virus-specific. Disruption also weakens immunity by promoting inflammation, such as a lack of BMAL1, leading to more pro-inflammatory cytokines and fewer anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin.Disruption of the circadian rhythm is revealed to be important when regulating viral replication dynamics through uncovering how some clock genes are controlled and how they increase viral severity. Future research could explore how viral infection risks and disease outcomes are determined.
Circadian Regulation of Viral Replication and Immune Responses: Implications for COVID-19 and Other Viral Infections
Circadian rhythms are 24-hour biological cycles regulating sleep, metabolism, and immune activity. Recent research shows circadian clock genes can influence immune responses. Studies on SARS-CoV-2 and influenza show clock genes regulate viral entry, replication, and immune signaling. However, their role in infection risk, immune defense, replication dynamics, and disease outcomes remains undefined. This study evaluates how circadian rhythms regulate viral replication and immune responses in COVID-19 and other viral infections. This review utilized PubMed to identify articles from the past five years using the terms “(immunity) AND (circadian) AND (viruses OR virus OR viral).”After reviewing 149 abstracts, 44 peer-reviewed articles were analyzed. Articles on vaccination, melatonin, cancers, or other unrelated topics were excluded. Selected articles examined circadian rhythms, clock genes, immune responses, and viral infections across clinical, in vitro, and animal models. Circadian rhythms regulate viral replication through clock genes such as CLOCK and BMAL1. Circadian disruptions promote replication of viruses, including herpesviruses, influenza, and SARS-CoV-2, worsening disease severity. Circadian disruptions can occur due to lack of sleep or light, and the specific outcomes on viral replication dynamics are virus-specific. Disruption also weakens immunity by promoting inflammation, such as a lack of BMAL1, leading to more pro-inflammatory cytokines and fewer anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin.Disruption of the circadian rhythm is revealed to be important when regulating viral replication dynamics through uncovering how some clock genes are controlled and how they increase viral severity. Future research could explore how viral infection risks and disease outcomes are determined.
