The research led by professors David Ray
and Andrew Loudon from University of Manchester found that cells lining
the lung airways have their own body clock which is the time-keeper for
lung inflammation both conditions cause swelling in the lungs.
Researchers
further discovered that more severe lung inflammation happens as a
result of the loss of the body clock working in these cells. "We found a
key molecule known as CXCL5 that facilitates lung inflammation which is
a key regulator of how immune cells get into tissues. The loss of CXCL5
completely prevents the time of day regulation of lung inflammation
which opens up new ways to treat lung diseases," Loudon said.
During
the research, the team uncovered how glucocorticoid hormones from the
adrenal gland are vital in controlling the level of inflammation in the
cells lining the airway. "This hormone works through the glucocorticoid
receptor, a major regulator of gene expression. We wanted to find out,
therefore, if glucocorticoid medicines would also show a time of day
effect. Our research shows they do," Ray added.
The team concluded
that the rhythm of the clock in the lining of the cells in the lungs is
important for lung diseases like asthma, and chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease.
Our bodies anticipate the change from day to
night by having an internal or circadian clock. This explains why it is
hard to adjust to shift work. The body clock regulates sleep but now has
been discovered to also regulate our immune system. The findings were
published in the journal Nature Medicine.
Read more Latest News from Lifestyle News
No comments:
Post a Comment