Stem cells and the circadian clock

Rhythm is essential: Unraveling the relation between the circadian clock and cancer

Physiological processes such as the sleep-wake cycle, metabolism, hormone secretion, neurotransmitter release, sensory capabilities, and a variety of behaviors, including sleep, are controlled by a circadian rhythm adapted to 24-hour day-night periodicity. Disruption of circadian rhythm may lead to the risks of numerous diseases, including cancers. Several epidemiological and clinical data reveal a connection between the disruption of circadian rhythms and cancer. On the contrary, oncogenic processes may suppress the homeostatic balance imposed by the circadian clock. The integration of circadian biology into cancer research offers new options for making cancer treatment more effective, and the pharmacological modulation of core clock genes is a new approach in cancer therapy. This review highlights the role of the circadian clock in tumorigenesis, how clock disruption alters the tumor microenvironment, and discusses how pharmacological modulation of circadian clock genes can lead to new therapeutic options.

The mutual impacts of stem cells and sleep: opportunities for improved stem cell therapy

Sleep is an indispensable physiological function regulated by circadian rhythms, which influence the biological pathways and overall health of the body. Sleep is crucial for the maintenance and restoration of bodily systems, and disturbances can lead to various sleep disorders, which can impair both mental and physical health. Treatment options for these disorders encompass lifestyle modifications, psychotherapy, medications, and therapies such as light therapy and surgery. Not only sleep deprivation has a significant impact on essential organs, but it also influences various types of stem cells in the body. In this review, we explore the connection between sleep and various types of stem cells, highlighting how circadian rhythms regulate stem cell activities that are vital for tissue regeneration and homeostasis. Disruptions in sleep can hinder stem cell self-renewal, homing, proliferation, function, and differentiation, thereby affecting tissue regeneration and overall health. We also discuss how transplantation of stem cells and their products may help improve sleep disorders, how sleep quality affects stem cell behavior, and the implications for stem cell therapies. Notably, while certain stem cell transplantations can disrupt sleep, enhancing sleep quality may improve the efficacy of these therapies. Finally, stem cells can be utilized to model sleep disorders, offering valuable insights into their underlying mechanisms.

Circadian rhythms in stem cells and their therapeutic potential

Circadian rhythms are present in almost all cells, but their existence in stem cells has remains not well established. Circadian clock appears to be closely associated with differentiated mature cells and rarely detected in immature embryonic stem cells. Recent evidence reveals the presence of circadian genes and rhythmic physiologic activities in stem cells as well as stem cell-derived extracellular vesicle (EV) characteristics. The circadian clock entails diverse physiologic and pathological mechanisms underlying cell fate. Integration of circadian rhythm to clinical applications, such as chronotherapy, chrono-biomarker, and environment modification, may facilitate therapeutic outcomes of stem cell-based regenerative medicine. Understanding circadian rhythms in stem cells can optimize stem cell-based therapies by determining the best times for harvesting and administering stem cells, thereby enhancing therapeutic efficacy. Further research into the circadian properties of stem cells will refine stem cell-based therapies, contributing to advancements in regenerative medicine.

A daily rhythm of cell proliferation in a songbird brain

Neurogenesis is an active process of creating new neurons in the neurogenic zone. It is influenced by many factors, including the circadian system, which is synchronized by light. Neurogenesis in laboratory rodents peaks at night, and the rodents are nocturnal, contrary to humans that are active during the day. Here, we studied whether proliferation and apoptosis exhibit a daily rhythm in the brain of the diurnal songbird zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) and whether the cell proliferation peaks during the dark phase of the day, as in rodents. We injected the birds with the cell proliferation marker 5-ethynyl-2´-deoxyuridine (EdU; thymidine analog), quantified the number of dividing cells in the neurogenic ventricular zone (VZ), and measured mRNA expression of clock genes as well as genes indicating cell proliferation or apoptosis. First, we confirmed the daily rhythms of the clock genes. Next we found that proliferation along the whole VZ did not exhibit a daily rhythm. However, proliferation in the central ventral part of the VZ, i.e. "the hot-spot" area, showed a daily rhythm of proliferation. The highest number of newborn cells was detected in the dark phase of the day. The relative expression of the apoptotic genes caspase 3, Bcl-2, and Bax as well as the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) did not show any rhythm. In summary, our results show that cell proliferation in the "hot-spot" region of the VZ in diurnal songbirds shows rhythmic activity over a period of 24 h and that the maximum cell proliferation occurs in the passive phase. This study may have implications for understanding the mechanisms underlying the daily regulation of brain cell proliferation in different species.

Circadian disruption in cancer and regulation of cancer stem cells by circadian clock genes: An updated review

Circadian rhythm, regulated by a time keeping system termed as the circadian clock, is important for many biological processes in eukaryotes. Disordered circadian rhythm is implicated in different human diseases, including cardiovascular disease, neurologic disease, metabolic disorders, and cancer. The stem like-cancer cells (or cancer stem cells, CSCs) are proposed to stand at the top of the heterogeneous hierarchy in different solid tumors, which are responsible for tumor initiation, development, therapy resistance and metastasis. Emerging evidence has shown that circadian clock genes potentially regulate the stemness and features of CSCs in several malignant systems, including leukemia, glioblastoma, breast cancer, colorectal cancer and prostate cancer. The chronotherapies targeting CSCs are therefore of therapeutic potentials in treating malignancies. In this review, we have summarized our current knowledge of circadian clock gene regulation in normal stem/progenitor cells. Moreover, we have provided evidence linking dysregulations of circadian clock genes and cancer development. Importantly, we have listed the potential mechanisms underlying circadian clock gene regulation of CSCs. Finally, we have offered the current attempts of chronotherapy targeting CSCs. Elucidating the molecular regulation of circadian clock gene in CSCs will provide us a novel direction for the development of therapeutics to target CSCs.

Neuronal Progenitors Suffer Genotoxic Stress in the Drosophila Clock Mutant per0

The physiological role and the molecular architecture of the circadian clock in fully developed organisms are well established. Yet, we have a limited understanding of the function of the clock during ontogenesis. We have used a null mutant (per0) of the clock gene period (per) in Drosophila melanogaster to ask whether PER may play a role during normal brain development. In third-instar larvae, we have observed that the absence of functional per results in increased genotoxic stress compared to wild-type controls. We have detected increased double-strand DNA breaks in the central nervous system and chromosome aberrations in dividing neuronal precursor cells. We have demonstrated that reactive oxygen species (ROS) are causal to the genotoxic effect and that expression of PER in glia is necessary and sufficient to suppress such a phenotype. Finally, we have shown that the absence of PER may result in less condensed chromatin, which contributes to DNA damage.

The Influence of Circadian Rhythms on DNA Damage Repair in Skin Photoaging

Circadian rhythms, the internal timekeeping systems governing physiological processes, significantly influence skin health, particularly in response to ultraviolet radiation (UVR). Disruptions in circadian rhythms can exacerbate UVR-induced skin damage and increase the risk of skin aging and cancer. This review explores how circadian rhythms affect various aspects of skin physiology and pathology, with a special focus on DNA repair. Circadian regulation ensures optimal DNA repair following UVR-induced damage, reducing mutation accumulation, and enhancing genomic stability. The circadian control over cell proliferation and apoptosis further contributes to skin regeneration and response to UVR. Oxidative stress management is another critical area where circadian rhythms exert influence. Key circadian genes like brain and muscle ARNT-like 1 (BMAL1) and circadian locomotor output cycles kaput (CLOCK) modulate the activity of antioxidant enzymes and signaling pathways to protect cells from oxidative stress. Circadian rhythms also affect inflammatory and immune responses by modulating the inflammatory response and the activity of Langerhans cells and other immune cells in the skin. In summary, circadian rhythms form a complex defense network that manages UVR-induced damage through the precise regulation of DNA damage repair, cell proliferation, apoptosis, inflammatory response, oxidative stress, and hormonal signaling. Understanding these mechanisms provides insights into developing targeted skin protection and improving skin cancer prevention.

Emerging Functional Connections Between Metabolism and Epigenetic Remodeling in Neural Differentiation

Stem cells possess extraordinary capacities for self-renewal and differentiation, making them highly valuable in regenerative medicine. Among these, neural stem cells (NSCs) play a fundamental role in neural development and repair processes. NSC characteristics and fate are intricately regulated by the microenvironment and intracellular signaling. Interestingly, metabolism plays a pivotal role in orchestrating the epigenome dynamics during neural differentiation, facilitating the transition from undifferentiated NSC to specialized neuronal and glial cell types. This intricate interplay between metabolism and the epigenome is essential for precisely regulating gene expression patterns and ensuring proper neural development. This review highlights the mechanisms behind metabolic regulation of NSC fate and their connections with epigenetic regulation to shape transcriptional programs of stemness and neural differentiation. A comprehensive understanding of these molecular gears appears fundamental for translational applications in regenerative medicine and personalized therapies for neurological conditions.

Sleep Quality in Greek Adolescent Swimmers

The aim of our study was to investigate the relationship between sleep quality and functional indices, swimming distance and gender in adolescent competitive swimmers. Forty-eight adolescent swimmers (boys, n = 22, 15.7 ± 1.0 years and girls, n = 26, 15.1 ± 0.8 years) were included in our study. They were assessed for handgrip strength, respiratory muscle strength and pulmonary function, answered a Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index questionnaire (PSQI), and recorded their anthropometric and morphological characteristics and training load for the last four weeks. The results showed differences between swimming distance and chest circumference difference, between maximal inhalation and exhalation (Δchest) (p = 0.033), PSQI score (p < 0.001), and sleep quality domains for "cannot breathe comfortably" (p = 0.037) and "have pain" (p = 0.003). Binary logistic regression (chi-square = 37.457, p = 0.001) showed that the variables Δchest (p = 0.038, 95% CI: 1.05-6.07) and PSQI score (p = 0.048, 95% CI: 0.1-1.07) remained independent predictors of the swim distance groups. Girls had a lower percentage of predicted values for the maximal inspiratory pressure (p < 0.001), maximal expiratory pressure (p = 0.027), forced expiratory volume within the first second (p = 0.026), forced vital capacity (p = 0.008) and sleep quality domains for "cough or snore loudly" (p = 0.032) compared to boys. A regression analysis showed that the sleep quality score was explained by the six independent variables: respiratory muscle strength (t = 2.177, β = 0.164, p = 0.035), Δchest (t = -2.353, β = -0.17, p = 0.023), distance (t = -5.962, β = -0.475, p < 0.001), total body water (t = -7.466, β = -0.687, p < 0.001), lean body mass (t = -3.120, β = -0.434, p = 0.003), and handgrip (t = 7.752, β = 1.136, p < 0.001). Our findings demonstrate that sleep quality in adolescent swimmers is a multifactorial result of morphometric characteristics, strength and respiratory function.

Circadian rhythm regulates the function of immune cells and participates in the development of tumors

Circadian rhythms are present in almost all cells and play a crucial role in regulating various biological processes. Maintaining a stable circadian rhythm is essential for overall health. Disruption of this rhythm can alter the expression of clock genes and cancer-related genes, and affect many metabolic pathways and factors, thereby affecting the function of the immune system and contributing to the occurrence and progression of tumors. This paper aims to elucidate the regulatory effects of BMAL1, clock and other clock genes on immune cells, and reveal the molecular mechanism of circadian rhythm's involvement in tumor and its microenvironment regulation. A deeper understanding of circadian rhythms has the potential to provide new strategies for the treatment of cancer and other immune-related diseases.

Interactions of circadian clock genes with the hallmarks of cancer

The molecular machinery of the circadian clock regulates the expression of many genes and processes in the organism, allowing the adaptation of cellular activities to the daily light-dark cycles. Disruption of the circadian rhythm can lead to various pathologies, including cancer. Thus, disturbance of the normal circadian clock at both genetic and environmental levels has been described as an independent risk factor for cancer. In addition, researchers have proposed that circadian genes may have a tissue-dependent and/or context-dependent role in tumorigenesis and may function both as tumor suppressors and oncogenes. Finally, circadian clock core genes may trigger or at least be involved in different hallmarks of cancer. Hence, expanding the knowledge of the molecular basis of the circadian clock would be helpful to identify new prognostic markers of tumorigenesis and potential therapeutic targets.

Cellular rejuvenation: molecular mechanisms and potential therapeutic interventions for diseases

The ageing process is a systemic decline from cellular dysfunction to organ degeneration, with more predisposition to deteriorated disorders. Rejuvenation refers to giving aged cells or organisms more youthful characteristics through various techniques, such as cellular reprogramming and epigenetic regulation. The great leaps in cellular rejuvenation prove that ageing is not a one-way street, and many rejuvenative interventions have emerged to delay and even reverse the ageing process. Defining the mechanism by which roadblocks and signaling inputs influence complex ageing programs is essential for understanding and developing rejuvenative strategies. Here, we discuss the intrinsic and extrinsic factors that counteract cell rejuvenation, and the targeted cells and core mechanisms involved in this process. Then, we critically summarize the latest advances in state-of-art strategies of cellular rejuvenation. Various rejuvenation methods also provide insights for treating specific ageing-related diseases, including cellular reprogramming, the removal of senescence cells (SCs) and suppression of senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), metabolic manipulation, stem cells-associated therapy, dietary restriction, immune rejuvenation and heterochronic transplantation, etc. The potential applications of rejuvenation therapy also extend to cancer treatment. Finally, we analyze in detail the therapeutic opportunities and challenges of rejuvenation technology. Deciphering rejuvenation interventions will provide further insights into anti-ageing and ageing-related disease treatment in clinical settings.

Chrononutrition-When We Eat Is of the Essence in Tackling Obesity

Obesity is a chronic and relapsing public health problem with an extensive list of associated comorbidities. The worldwide prevalence of obesity has nearly tripled over the last five decades and continues to pose a serious threat to wider society and the wellbeing of future generations. The pathogenesis of obesity is complex but diet plays a key role in the onset and progression of the disease. The human diet has changed drastically across the globe, with an estimate that approximately 72% of the calories consumed today come from foods that were not part of our ancestral diets and are not compatible with our metabolism. Additionally, multiple nutrient-independent factors, e.g., cost, accessibility, behaviours, culture, education, work commitments, knowledge and societal set-up, influence our food choices and eating patterns. Much research has been focused on 'what to eat' or 'how much to eat' to reduce the obesity burden, but increasingly evidence indicates that 'when to eat' is fundamental to human metabolism. Aligning feeding patterns to the 24-h circadian clock that regulates a wide range of physiological and behavioural processes has multiple health-promoting effects with anti-obesity being a major part. This article explores the current understanding of the interactions between the body clocks, bioactive dietary components and the less appreciated role of meal timings in energy homeostasis and obesity.

Impacts of vitamin A deficiency on biological rhythms: Insights from the literature

Vitamin A is essential for brain function, in addition to its important roles in vision, immunity, and reproduction. Previous studies have shown that retinoic acid (RA), the bioactive form of vitamin A, is involved in the regulation of various intracellular responses related to biological rhythms. RA is reported to affect the circadian rhythm by binding to RA receptors, such as receptors in the circadian feedback loops in the mammalian suprachiasmatic nucleus. However, evidence of the impacts of vitamin A deficiency (VAD) on biological rhythms is limited, and most of the related studies were conducted on animals. In this review, we described the physiological functions of biological rhythms and physiological pathways/molecular mechanisms regulating the biological rhythms. We then discussed the current understanding of the associations of VAD with biological rhythm disorders/diseases (sleep disorders, impairments in learning/memory, emotional disorders, and other immune or metabolism diseases) and summarized the currently proposed mechanisms (mainly by retinoid nuclear receptors and related proteins) for the associations. This review may help recognize the role of VAD in biological rhythm disorders and stimulate clinical or epidemiological studies to confirm the findings of related animal studies.

Potential Role of the Circadian Clock in the Regulation of Cancer Stem Cells and Cancer Therapy

Circadian rhythms, including sleep/wake cycles as well as hormonal, immune, metabolic, and cell proliferation rhythms, are fundamental biological processes driven by a cellular time-keeping system called the circadian clock. Disruptions in these rhythms due to genetic alterations or irregular lifestyles cause fundamental changes in physiology, from metabolism to cellular proliferation and differentiation, resulting in pathological consequences including cancer. Cancer cells are not uniform and static but exist as different subtypes with phenotypic and functional differences in the tumor microenvironment. At the top of the heterogeneous tumor cell hierarchy, cancer stem cells (CSCs), a self-renewing and multi-potent cancer cell type, are most responsible for tumor recurrence and metastasis, chemoresistance, and mortality. Phenotypically, CSCs are associated with the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which confers cancer cells with increased motility and invasion ability that is characteristic of malignant and drug-resistant stem cells. Recently, emerging studies of different cancer types, such as glioblastoma, leukemia, prostate cancer, and breast cancer, suggest that the circadian clock plays an important role in the maintenance of CSC/EMT characteristics. In this review, we describe recent discoveries regarding how tumor intrinsic and extrinsic circadian clock-regulating factors affect CSC evolution, highlighting the possibility of developing novel chronotherapeutic strategies that could be used against CSCs to fight cancer.

Circadian clock—A promising scientific target in oral science

The oral and maxillofacial organs play vital roles in chewing, maintaining facial beauty, and speaking. Almost all physiological processes display circadian rhythms that are driven by the circadian clock, allowing organisms to adapt to the changing environment. In recent years, increasing evidence has shown that the circadian clock system participates in oral and maxillofacial physiological and pathological processes, such as jaw and tooth development, salivary gland function, craniofacial malformations, oral carcinoma and other diseases. However, the roles of the circadian clock in oral science have not yet been comprehensively reviewed. Therefore, This paper provides a systematic and integrated perspective on the function of the circadian clock in the fields of oral science, reviews recent advances in terms of the circadian clock in oral and maxillofacial development and disease, dialectically analyzes the importance of the circadian clock system and circadian rhythm to the activities of oral and maxillofacial tissues, and focuses on analyzing the mechanism of the circadian clock in the maintenance of oral health, affecting the common diseases of the oral and maxillofacial region and the process of oral-related systemic diseases, sums up the chronotherapy and preventive measures for oral-related diseases based on changes in tissue activity circadian rhythms, meanwhile, comes up with a new viewpoint to promote oral health and human health.

Sex and Circadian Timing Modulate Oxaliplatin Hematological and Hematopoietic Toxicities

Oxaliplatin was nearly twice as hematotoxic, with optimal circadian timing differing by 6 h, in women as compared to men with colorectal cancers. Hence, we investigated sex- and timing-related determinants of oxaliplatin hematopoietic toxicities in mice. Body-weight loss (BWL), blood cell counts, bone marrow cellularity (BMC) and seven flow-cytometry-monitored hematopoietic progenitor populations were evaluated 72 h after oxaliplatin chronotherapy administration (5 mg/kg). In control animals, circadian rhythms of circulating white blood cells showed a peak at ZT5 in both sexes, whereas BMC was maximum at ZT20 in males and ZT13h40 in females. All BM progenitor counts presented robust rhythms with phases around ZT3h30 in females, whereas only three of them rhythmically cycled in males with a ≈ -6 h phase shift. In treated females, chronotoxicity rhythms occurred in BWL, WBC, BMC and all BM progenitors with the best timing at ZT15, ZT21, ZT15h15 and ZT14h45, respectively. In males, almost no endpoints showed circadian rhythms, BWL and WBC toxicity being minimal, albeit with a substantial drop in BM progenitors. Increasing dose (10 mg/kg) in males induced circadian rhythms in BWL and WBC but not in BM endpoints. Our results suggest complex and sex-specific clock-controlled regulation of the hematopoietic system and its response to oxaliplatin.

Hedgehog signaling activates a mammalian heterochronic gene regulatory network controlling differentiation timing across lineages

Many developmental signaling pathways have been implicated in lineage-specific differentiation; however, mechanisms that explicitly control differentiation timing remain poorly defined in mammals. We report that murine Hedgehog signaling is a heterochronic pathway that determines the timing of progenitor differentiation. Hedgehog activity was necessary to prevent premature differentiation of second heart field (SHF) cardiac progenitors in mouse embryos, and the Hedgehog transcription factor GLI1 was sufficient to delay differentiation of cardiac progenitors in vitro. GLI1 directly activated a de novo progenitor-specific network in vitro, akin to that of SHF progenitors in vivo, which prevented the onset of the cardiac differentiation program. A Hedgehog signaling-dependent active-to-repressive GLI transition functioned as a differentiation timer, restricting the progenitor network to the SHF. GLI1 expression was associated with progenitor status across germ layers, and it delayed the differentiation of neural progenitors in vitro, suggesting a broad role for Hedgehog signaling as a heterochronic pathway.

A guiding role of the Arabidopsis circadian clock in cell differentiation revealed by time-series single-cell RNA sequencing

Circadian rhythms and progression of cell differentiation are closely coupled in multicellular organisms. However, whether establishment of circadian rhythms regulates cell differentiation or vice versa has not been elucidated due to technical limitations. Here, we exploit high cell fate plasticity of plant cells to perform single-cell RNA sequencing during the entire process of cell differentiation. By analyzing reconstructed actual time series of the differentiation processes at single-cell resolution using a method we developed (PeakMatch), we find that the expression profile of clock genes is changed prior to cell differentiation, including induction of the clock gene LUX ARRYTHMO (LUX). ChIP sequencing analysis reveals that LUX induction in early differentiating cells directly targets genes involved in cell-cycle progression to regulate cell differentiation. Taken together, these results not only reveal a guiding role of the plant circadian clock in cell differentiation but also provide an approach for time-series analysis at single-cell resolution.

The Relevance of Circadian Clocks to Stem Cell Differentiation and Cancer Progression

The molecular mechanism of circadian clocks depends on transcription-translation feedback loops (TTFLs) that have known effects on key cellular processes. However, the distinct role of circadian TTFLs in mammalian stem cells and other less differentiated cells remains poorly understood. Neural stem cells (NSCs) of the brain generate neurons and glia postnatally but also may become cancer stem cells (CSCs), particularly in astrocytomas. Evidence indicates clock TTFL impairment is needed for tumor growth and progression; although, this issue has been examined primarily in more differentiated cancer cells rather than CSCs. Similarly, few studies have examined circadian rhythms in NSCs. After decades of research, it is now well recognized that tumors consist of CSCs and a range of other cancer cells along with noncancerous stromal cells. The circadian properties of these many contributors to tumor properties and treatment outcome are being widely explored. New molecular tools and ones in development will likely enable greater discrimination of important circadian and non-circadian cells within malignancies at multiple stages of cancer progression and following therapy. Here, we focus on adult NSCs and glioma CSCs to address how cells at different stages of differentiation may harbor unique states of the molecular circadian clock influencing differentiation and cell fate.

Zebrafish: A New Promise to Study the Impact of Metabolic Disorders on the Brain

Zebrafish has become a popular model to study many physiological and pathophysiological processes in humans. In recent years, it has rapidly emerged in the study of metabolic disorders, namely, obesity and diabetes, as the regulatory mechanisms and metabolic pathways of glucose and lipid homeostasis are highly conserved between fish and mammals. Zebrafish is also widely used in the field of neurosciences to study brain plasticity and regenerative mechanisms due to the high maintenance and activity of neural stem cells during adulthood. Recently, a large body of evidence has established that metabolic disorders can alter brain homeostasis, leading to neuro-inflammation and oxidative stress and causing decreased neurogenesis. To date, these pathological metabolic conditions are also risk factors for the development of cognitive dysfunctions and neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we first aim to describe the main metabolic models established in zebrafish to demonstrate their similarities with their respective mammalian/human counterparts. Then, in the second part, we report the impact of metabolic disorders (obesity and diabetes) on brain homeostasis with a particular focus on the blood-brain barrier, neuro-inflammation, oxidative stress, cognitive functions and brain plasticity. Finally, we propose interesting signaling pathways and regulatory mechanisms to be explored in order to better understand how metabolic disorders can negatively impact neural stem cell activity.

Diurnal Interplay between Epithelium Physiology and Gut Microbiota as a Metronome for Orchestrating Immune and Metabolic Homeostasis

The behavior and physiology of most organisms are temporally coordinated and aligned with geophysical time by a complex interplay between the master and peripheral clocks. Disruption of such rhythmic physiological activities that are hierarchically organized has been linked to a greater risk of developing diseases ranging from cancer to metabolic syndrome. Herein, we summarize the molecular clockwork that is employed by intestinal epithelial cells to anticipate environmental changes such as rhythmic food intake and potentially dangerous environmental stress. We also discuss recent discoveries contributing to our understanding of how a proper rhythm of intestinal stem cells may achieve coherence for the maintenance of tissue integrity. Emerging evidence indicates that the circadian oscillations in the composition of the microbiota may operate as an important metronome for the proper preservation of intestinal physiology and more. Furthermore, in this review, we outline how epigenetic clocks that are based on DNA methylation levels may extensively rewire the clock-controlled functions of the intestinal epithelium that are believed to become arrhythmic during aging.

Stem Cell Theory of Cancer: Implications for Drug Resistance and Chemosensitivity in Cancer Care

Simple Summary

Science and history teach us that stemness properties pave all drug resistance pathways. Evidence and experience inform us that stemness origin and nature etch all cancer hallmarks. A stem cell origin of drug resistance encompasses heterogeneity and dormancy, embraces ABC transporters and DNA repairs, and explicates chemotherapy and chronotherapy. It alludes to a unified theory of cancer and suggests that cancer is a stem cell disease—uniting chemoresistance with chemosensitivity, connecting progenitor cells with progeny cells, and linking multicellularity with the microenvironment. Importantly, it clarifies genetic content vs. cellular context, delineates drug vs. therapy development, and enlightens precision medicine vs. integrated medicine and targeted therapy vs. multimodal therapy in cancer care.

Abstract

When it concerns cancer care and cancer therapy, drug resistance is more than an obstacle to successful treatment; it is a major cause of frustration in our attempts to optimize drug development versus therapy development. Importantly, overcoming the challenges of drug resistance may provide invaluable clues about the origin and nature of cancer. From this perspective, we discuss how chemoresistance and chemosensitivity in cancer therapy could be directly linked to the stem cell origin of cancer. A stem cell theory of cancer stipulates that both normal stem cells and cancer stem cells are similarly endowed with robust efflux pumps, potent antiapoptotic mechanisms, redundant DNA repair systems, and abundant antioxidation reserves. Cancer stem cells, like their normal stem cell counterparts, are equipped with the same drug resistance phenotypes (e.g., ABC transporters, anti-apoptotic pathways, and DNA repair mechanisms). Drug resistance, like other cancer hallmarks (e.g., tumor heterogeneity and cancer dormancy), could be intrinsically ingrained and innately embedded within malignancy. We elaborate that cellular context and the microenvironment may attenuate the effects of cancer treatments. We examine the role of circadian rhythms and the value of chronotherapy to maximize efficacy and minimize toxicity. We propose that a stem cell theory of drug resistance and drug sensitivity will ultimately empower us to enhance drug development and enable us to improve therapy development in patient care.

Circadian effects on UV-induced damage and mutations

Skin cancer is the most diagnosed type of cancer in the United States, and while most of these malignancies are highly treatable, treatment costs still exceed $8 billion annually. Over the last 50 years, the annual incidence of skin cancer has steadily grown; therefore, understanding the environmental factors driving these types of cancer is a prominent research-focus. A causality between ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure and skin cancer is well-established, but exposure to UVR alone is not necessarily sufficient to induce carcinogenesis. The emerging field of circadian biology intersects strongly with the physiological systems of the mammalian body and introduces a unique opportunity for analyzing mechanisms of homeostatic disruption. The circadian clock refers to the approximate 24-hour cycle, in which protein levels of specific clock-controlled genes (CCGs) fluctuate based on the time of day. Though these CCGs are tissue specific, the skin has been observed to have a robust circadian clock that plays a role in its response to UVR exposure. This in-depth review will detail the mechanisms of the circadian clock and its role in cellular homeostasis. Next, the skin's response to UVR exposure and its induction of DNA damage and mutations will be covered - with an additional focus placed on how the circadian clock influences this response through nucleotide excision repair. Lastly, this review will discuss current models for studying UVR-induced skin lesions and perturbations of the circadian clock, as well as the impact of these factors on human health.

Establishment and characterisation of single cell-derived embryonic stem cell lines from the gilthead seabream, Sparus aurata

An important bottleneck in fish aquaculture research is the supply and maintenance of embryos, larvae, juvenile and adult specimens. In this context, cell lines represent alternative experimental models for in vitro studies that complement in vivo assays. This allows us to perform easier experimental design and sampling and avoid the sacrifice of animals. Embryonic stem (ES) cell lines have attracted increasing attention because they have the capability to proliferate indefinitely and could be differentiated into any cell type of the organism. To minimise cell heterogeneity and increase uniformity of in vitro studies results, in this manuscript we report the development and characterisation of two single cell-derived ES cell lines (monoclonal) from the morula stage embryos of the gilthead seabream, Sparus aurata, named as SAEC-A3 and SAEC-H7. Both cell lines have been passaged for over 100 times, indicating the establishment of long-term, immortalised ES cell cultures. Sequence analyses confirmed the seabream origin of the cell lines, and growth analyses evidenced their high viability and proliferating activity, particularly in culture medium supplemented with 10-15% fetal bovine serum and 22 °C. Both cell lines showed the ability to generate embryoid bodies and show different sensitivity and response to all-trans retinoic acid. The analysis of epithelial (col1α1) and neuronal (sox3) markers in differentiated cultures revealed that SAEC-A3 tended to differentiate towards epithelial-like cells whereas SAEC-H7 tended to differentiate towards neuronal-like cells. Both cell lines were efficiently transfected with pDsRed2-ER and/or pEGFP-N1 plasmids, indicating that they could represent useful biotechnological tools. Daily expression of pcna showed significant expression rhythms, with maximum levels of cell proliferation during the day-night transition. Currently, these cell lines are being successfully used as experimental models for the study of cellular metabolism, physiology and rhythms as well as for toxicological, pharmacological and gene expression analyses.

The circadian clock and metabolic homeostasis: entangled networks

The circadian clock exerts an important role in systemic homeostasis as it acts a keeper of time for the organism. The synchrony between the daily challenges imposed by the environment needs to be aligned with biological processes and with the internal circadian clock. In this review, it is provided an in-depth view of the molecular functioning of the circadian molecular clock, how this system is organized, and how central and peripheral clocks communicate with each other. In this sense, we provide an overview of the neuro-hormonal factors controlled by the central clock and how they affect peripheral tissues. We also evaluate signals released by peripheral organs and their effects in the central clock and other brain areas. Additionally, we evaluate a possible communication between peripheral tissues as a novel layer of circadian organization by reviewing recent studies in the literature. In the last section, we analyze how the circadian clock can modulate intracellular and tissue-dependent processes of metabolic organs. Taken altogether, the goal of this review is to provide a systemic and integrative view of the molecular clock function and organization with an emphasis in metabolic tissues.

Hallmarks of Health

Health is usually defined as the absence of pathology. Here, we endeavor to define health as a compendium of organizational and dynamic features that maintain physiology. The biological causes or hallmarks of health include features of spatial compartmentalization (integrity of barriers and containment of local perturbations), maintenance of homeostasis over time (recycling and turnover, integration of circuitries, and rhythmic oscillations), and an array of adequate responses to stress (homeostatic resilience, hormetic regulation, and repair and regeneration). Disruption of any of these interlocked features is broadly pathogenic, causing an acute or progressive derailment of the system coupled to the loss of numerous stigmata of health.

Cardiac circadian rhythms in time and space: The future is in 4D

The circadian clock synchronizes the body into 24-h cycles, thereby anticipating variations in tissue-specific diurnal tasks, such as response to increased cardiac metabolic demand during the active period of the day. As a result, blood pressure, heart rate, cardiac output, and occurrence of fatal cardiovascular events fluctuate in a diurnal manner. The heart contains different cell types that make up and reside in an environment of biochemical, mechanical, and topographical signaling. Cardiac architecture is essential for proper heart development as well as for maintenance of cell homeostasis and tissue repair. In this review, we describe the possibilities of studying circadian rhythmicity in the heart by using advanced in vitro systems that mimic the native cardiac 3D microenvironment which can be tuned in time and space. Harnessing the knowledge that originates from those in vitro models could significantly improve innovative cardiac modeling and regenerative strategies.

Getting blood out of a stone: Identification and management of patients with poor hematopoietic cell mobilization

Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) has become a primary treatment for many cancers. Nowadays, the primary source of hematopoietic cells is by leukapheresis collection of these cells from peripheral blood, after a forced egress of hematopoietic cells from marrow into blood circulation, a process known as "mobilization". In this process, mobilizing agents disrupt binding interactions between hematopoietic cells and marrow microenvironment to facilitate collection. As the first essential step of HCT, poor mobilization, i.e. failure to obtain a desired or required number of hematopoietic cell, is one of the major factors affecting engraftment or even precluding transplantation. This review summarizes the available mobilization regimens using granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and plerixafor, as well as the current understanding of the factors that are associated with poor mobilization. Strategies to mobilize patients or healthy donors who failed previous mobilization are discussed. Multiple novel agents are under investigation and some of them have shown the potential to enhance the mobilization response to G-CSF and/or plerixafor. Further investigation of the risk factors including genetic factors will offer an opportunity to better understand the molecular mechanism of mobilization and help develop new therapeutic strategies for successful mobilizations.

Thyroid Cancer and Circadian Clock Disruption

Thyroid cancer (TC) represents the most common malignancy of the endocrine system, with an increased incidence across continents attributable to both improvement of diagnostic procedures and environmental factors. Among the modifiable risk factors, insulin resistance might influence the development of TC. A relationship between circadian clock machinery disfunction and TC has recently been proposed. The circadian clock machinery comprises a set of rhythmically expressed genes responsible for circadian rhythms. Perturbation of this system contributes to the development of pathological states such as cancer. Several clock genes have been found deregulated upon thyroid nodule malignant transformation. The molecular mechanisms linking circadian clock disruption and TC are still unknown but could include insulin resistance. Circadian misalignment occurring during shift work, jet lag, high fat food intake, is associated with increased insulin resistance. This metabolic alteration, in turn, is associated with a well-known risk factor for TC i.e., hyperthyrotropinemia, which could also be induced by sleep disturbances. In this review, we describe the mechanisms controlling the circadian clock function and its involvement in the cell cycle, stemness and cancer. Moreover, we discuss the evidence supporting the link between circadian clockwork disruption and TC development/progression, highlighting its potential implications for TC prevention, diagnosis and therapy.

Circadian transcription factor Dbp promotes rat calvarial osteoprogenitors osteogenic differentiation through Kiss1/GnRH/E2 signaling pathway loop

To determine the mechanism by which D-site-binding protein (Dbp) regulates rat calvarial osteoprogenitors (OPCs) osteogenic differentiation. α-Smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) + rat calvarial OPCs were extracted and purified using immunomagnetic beads. Cells were transduced with Dbp-lentivirus and divided into Dbp knockdown, Dbp overexpression and vehicle groups. After osteogenic induction for 21 days, Alizarin red staining and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity were examined. Expression levels of Runx2, Ocn, Osterix, Bmp4, Kiss1, and GnRH were determined using a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The observed changes in Kisspeptin, GnRH, ERα, and Runx2 were further validated via Western blot analysis. Furthermore, E2 and GnRH secretion levels were detected via an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and luciferase assay were used to assess the effects of Dbp on the Kiss1 gene promoter. The coexpression of Dbp and Kisspeptin or GnRH was also evaluated via immunofluorescence. Following osteogenic induction, Dbp overexpression significantly increased calcium nodule formation and ALP activity, as well as Runx2, Ocn, Osterix, Bmp4, Kiss1, and GnRH messenger RNA expression, while Dbp knockdown presented the opposite results. Western blot analysis and ELISA results showed that Dbp significantly promotes Runx2, E2/ERα, Kisspeptin, and GnRH expression. These findings were confirmed by the ChIP assay, which indicated that the estrogen receptor promotes Kisspeptin expression after binding to the Kiss1 gene promoter, which is regulated by Dbp. Immunofluorescence assay showed that Dbp coexpression with Kisspeptin or GnRH varied depending on Dbp expression levels. Collectively, the circadian transcription factor Dbp promotes α-SMA + rat calvarial OPCs osteoblastic differentiation through Kiss1/GnRH/E2 signaling pathway loop.

Downregulated brain and muscle aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator-like protein-1 inhibits osteogenesis of BMSCs through p53 in type 2 diabetes mellitus

The bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs)-mediated abnormal bone metabolism can delay and impair the bone remodeling process in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Our previous study demonstrated that the downregulation of brain and muscle aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator-like protein 1 (BMAL1), a circadian clock protein, inhibited the Wnt/β-catenin pathway via enhanced GSK-3β in diabetic BMSCs. In this article, we confirmed that the downregulated BMAL1 in T2DM played an inhibitory role in osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. Upregulation of BMAL1 in the diabetic BMSCs significantly recovered the expression pattern of osteogenic marker genes and alkaline phosphatase (Alp) activity. We also observed an activation of the p53 signaling pathways, exhibited by increased p53 and p21 in diabetic BMSCs. Downregulation of p53 resulting from overexpression of BMAL1 was detected, and when we applied p53 gene silencing (shRNA) and the p53 inhibitor, pifithrin-α (PFT-α), the impaired osteogenic differentiation ability of diabetic BMSCs was greatly restored. However, there was no change in the level of expression of BMAL1. Taken together, our results first revealed that BMAL1 regulated osteogenesis of BMSCs through p53 in T2DM, providing a novel direction for further exploration of the mechanism underlying osteoporosis in diabetes.

The Reciprocal Association between Fitness Indicators and Sleep Quality in the Context of Recent Sport Injury

The purpose of the study is to investigate whether the oxygen uptake and heart rate at rest, in Greek professional soccer players, are affected by recent injuries, as well as how sleep quality is affected. Forty-two male professional soccer players were included in the study and divided into two groups: injury_group (n = 22, age: 21.6 ± 5.4 years, body fat: 11.0 ± 3.9%, total body water: 64.0 ± 2.5%) and no-injury_group (n = 20, age: 24.2 ± 5.6 years, body fat: 10.1 ± 2.8%, total body water: 64.3 ± 1.8%). The oxygen uptake at rest (VO_2resting, mL/min/kg) and heart rate (HR, bpm) were recorded in the upright position for 3 min, and the predicted values were calculated. One hour before, the athletes answered the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire. The results showed a difference between groups (injury_group vs. no-injury_group) in VO_2resting (7.5 ± 1.4 vs. 5.5 ± 1.2 mL/min/kg, p < 0.001) and percent of predicted values (92.5 ± 17.2 vs. 68.3 ± 14.6%, p < 0.001) and HR, such as beats per min (100.6 ± 12.8 vs. 93.1 ± 4.6 bpm, p = 0.001), percent of predicted values (50.7 ± 6.4 vs. 47.6 ± 2.8%, p = 0.003) and sleep quality score (PSQI: 4.9 ± 2.2 vs. 3.1 ± 0.9, p = 0.005). Anthropometric characteristics were not different between groups. Oxygen consumption and heart rate at rest are affected by the systemic adaptations due to injury. These pathophysiological changes probably relate to increased blood flow in an attempt to restore the injury area.

Influence of cosmetic formulations on the skin's circadian clock

OBJECTIVE

The circadian rhythm was set into focus by awarding the Nobel Price of Physiology/Medicine to Jeffrey Hall, Michael Rosbash and Michael Young in late 2017. Numerous publications elucidated the molecular mechanisms driving the circadian biorhythms of our body, peripheral organs and each single cell. However, there is minor knowledge on the circadian rhythm of the skin, which has its own peripheral circadian clock in contact with cosmetic formulations. The skin's epidermal clock is excessively influenced by environmental factors like UV radiation or modern lifestyle, which may induce epidermal jetlag. Here, we give an overview on the current knowledge about the epidermal circadian clock and provide a cosmetic solution to protect and preserve the biorhythm of the skin.

METHODS

Quantitative RT-PCR to analyse the gene expression of circadian clock genes and the downstream DNA repair gene OGG1 in keratinocytes irradiated with UV-B. In vivo study to determine skin parameters dependent on the circadian cycle and interference of cosmetic formulations to them by assessment of morning and evening values at each measurement day after 28, 56 and 84 days of the study.

RESULTS

UV-B irradiation leads to a pronounced delay in circadian clock and downstream gene expression which interferes in the proper function of epidermal stem cells and as thus skin function. The use of a cosmetic active ingredient prevents cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer formation, protects epidermal stem cells and resets the circadian gene expression. It preserves the circadian changes in skin hydration, reduces daily fluctuations of skin redness and strengthens the skin barrier.

CONCLUSION

The skin has its own circadian biorhythm to gain full functionality. Interruption of this oscillation will lead to functional impairments. Here we show a cosmetic solution to protect and preserve the skin's circadian rhythm. DNA protection, ROS elimination and stimulation of circadian gene expression seem to be crucial to keep the skin in balance.

Clocking the circadian genes in human embryonic stem cells

Multicellular organisms respond to changing environment which is primarily driven by light from the sun. Essential cyclical processes such as digestion, sleep, migration and breeding are controlled by set of genes know as circadian genes. The core circadian genes comprise of CLOCK, BMAL-1, PERIOD and CYRPTOCHROME that are expressed cyclically and they regulate expression of several genes downstream. The expression of circadian genes has been well studied in multicellular animals; however, it has been shown that stem cells also possess active circadian cycle genes. The circadian cycle genes have been studied in mouse embryonic stem cells and in adult human stem cells. However, there are only few reports of circadian cycle genes in human pluripotent stem cells. We used human embryonic stem cells to investigate the expression of CLOCK, BMAL-1, PERIOD and CYRPTOCHORME genes by RT-PCR at 6, 18 and 22 hours in undifferentiated and differentiated cells. We differentiated human embryonic stem cells spontaneously by adding 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS), and the cells primarily differentiated into ectoderm and mesoderm. We report that CLOCK and BMAL-1 are differentially expressed while PERIOD and CRYPTOCHROME show cyclicity in differentiated and undifferentiated cells. Our results show circadian genes are active in human embryonic stem cells and this needs to be further investigated as human pluripotent stem cells have potential to be used for cell therapy, where they need to synchronize with the body's circadian cycle.

BMAL1 coordinates energy metabolism and differentiation of pluripotent stem cells

BMAL1 is essential for the regulation of circadian rhythms in differentiated cells and adult stem cells, but the molecular underpinnings of its function in pluripotent cells, which hold a great potential in regenerative medicine, remain to be addressed. Here, using transient and permanent loss-of-function approaches in mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs), we reveal that although BMAL1 is dispensable for the maintenance of the pluripotent state, its depletion leads to deregulation of transcriptional programs linked to cell differentiation commitment. We further confirm that depletion of Bmal1 alters the differentiation potential of ESCs in vitro. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that BMAL1 participates in the regulation of energy metabolism maintaining a low mitochondrial function which is associated with pluripotency. Loss-of-function of Bmal1 leads to the deregulation of metabolic gene expression associated with a shift from glycolytic to oxidative metabolism. Our results highlight the important role that BMAL1 plays at the exit of pluripotency in vitro and provide evidence implicating a non-canonical circadian function of BMAL1 in the metabolic control for cell fate determination.

Role of Nucleoporins and Transport Receptors in Cell Differentiation

Bidirectional molecular movements between the nucleus and cytoplasm take place through nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) embedded in the nuclear membrane. These macromolecular structures are composed of several nucleoporins, which form seven different subcomplexes based on their biochemical affinity. These nucleoporins are integral components of the complex, not only allowing passive transport but also interacting with importin, exportin, and other molecules that are required for transport of protein in various cellular processes. Transport of different proteins is carried out either dependently or independently on transport receptors. As well as facilitating nucleocytoplasmic transport, nucleoporins also play an important role in cell differentiation, possibly by their direct gene interaction. This review will cover the general role of nucleoporins (whether its dependent or independent) and nucleocytoplasmic transport receptors in cell differentiation.

Time after time: circadian clock regulation of intestinal stem cells

Daily fluctuations in animal physiology, known as circadian rhythms, are orchestrated by a conserved molecular timekeeper, known as the circadian clock. The circadian clock forms a transcription-translation feedback loop that has emerged as a central biological regulator of many 24-h processes. Early studies of the intestine discovered that many digestive functions have a daily rhythm and that intestinal cell production was similarly time-dependent. As genetic methods in model organisms have become available, it has become apparent that the circadian clock regulates many basic cellular functions, including growth, proliferation, and differentiation, as well as cell signalling and stem cell self-renewal. Recent connections between circadian rhythms and immune system function, and between circadian rhythms and microbiome dynamics, have also been revealed in the intestine. These processes are highly relevant in understanding intestinal stem cell biology. Here we describe the circadian clock regulation of intestinal stem cells primarily in two model organisms: Drosophila melanogaster and mice. Like all cells in the body, intestinal stem cells are subject to circadian timing, and both cell-intrinsic and cell-extrinsic circadian processes contribute to their function.

Inflammation and tissue homeostasis: the NF-κB system in physiology and malignant progression

Disruption of tissue function activates cellular stress which triggers a number of mechanisms that protect the tissue from further damage. These mechanisms involve a number of homeostatic modules, which are regulated at the level of gene expression by the transactivator NF-κB. This transcription factor shifts between activation and repression of discrete, cell-dependent gene expression clusters. Some of its target genes provide feedback to NF-κB itself, thereby strengthening the inflammatory response of the tissue and later terminating inflammation to facilitate restoration of tissue homeostasis. Disruption of key feedback modules for NF-κB in certain cell types facilitates the survival of clones with genomic aberrations, and protects them from being recognized and eliminated by the immune system, to enable thereby carcinogenesis.

Circadian clock and cancer: From a viewpoint of cellular differentiation

The circadian clock controls and adapts diverse physiological and behavioral processes according to Earth's 24-h cycle of environmental changes. The master pacemaker of the mammalian circadian clock resides in the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus, but almost all cells throughout the body show circadian oscillations in gene expression patterns and associated functions. Recent studies have shown that the circadian clock gradually develops during embryogenesis. Embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells do not show circadian oscillations of gene expression, but gradually develop circadian clock oscillation during differentiation; thus, the developmental program of circadian clock emergence appears closely associated with cellular differentiation. Like embryonic stem cells, certain cancer cell types also lack the circadian clock. Given this similarity between embryonic stem cells and cancer cells, interest is growing in the contributions of circadian clock dysfunction to dedifferentiation and cancer development. In this review, we summarize recent advances in our understanding of circadian clock emergence during ontogenesis, and discuss possible associations with cellular differentiation and carcinogenesis. Considering the multiple physiological functions of circadian rhythms, circadian abnormalities might contribute to a host of diseases, including cancer. Insights on circadian function could lead to the identification of biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis, as well as novel targets for treatment.

Mesenchymal stem cells combined with albendazole as a novel therapeutic approach for experimental neurotoxocariasis

Neurotoxocariasis (NT) is a serious condition that has been linked to reduced cognitive function, behavioural alterations and neurodegenerative diseases. Unfortunately, the available drugs to treat toxocariasis are limited with unsatisfactory results, because of the initiation of treatment at late chronic stages after the occurrence of tissue damage and scars. Therefore, searching for a new therapy for this important disease is an urgent necessity. In this context, cytotherapy is a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of many diseases and tissue damages through the introduction of new cells into the damaged sites. They exert therapeutic effects by their capability of renewal, differentiation into specialized cells, and being powerful immunomodulators. The most popular cell type utilized in cytotherapy is the mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) type. In the current study, the efficacy of MSCs alone or combined with albendazole was evaluated against chronic brain insults induced by Toxocara canis infection in an experimental mouse model. Interestingly, MSCs combined with albendazole demonstrated a healing effect on brain inflammation, gliosis, apoptosis and significantly reduced brain damage biomarkers (S100B and GFAP) and T. canis DNA. Thus, MSCs would be protective against the development of subsequent neurodegenerative diseases with chronic NT.

Circadian Regulation of Immunity Through Epigenetic Mechanisms

The circadian clock orchestrates daily rhythms in many physiological, behavioral and molecular processes, providing means to anticipate, and adapt to environmental changes. A specific role of the circadian clock is to coordinate functions of the immune system both at steady-state and in response to infectious threats. Hence, time-of-day dependent variables are found in the physiology of immune cells, host-parasite interactions, inflammatory processes, or adaptive immune responses. Interestingly, the molecular clock coordinates transcriptional-translational feedback loops which orchestrate daily oscillations in expression of many genes involved in cellular functions. This clock function is assisted by tightly controlled transitions in the chromatin fiber involving epigenetic mechanisms which determine how a when transcriptional oscillations occur. Immune cells are no exception, as they also present a functional clock dictating transcriptional rhythms. Hereby, the molecular clock and the chromatin regulators controlling rhythmicity represent a unique scaffold mediating the crosstalk between the circadian and the immune systems. Certain epigenetic regulators are shared between both systems and uncovering them and characterizing their dynamics can provide clues to design effective chronotherapeutic strategies for modulation of the immune system.

Icariin promotes osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs by upregulating BMAL1 expression via BMP signaling

Increasing research has demonstrated that expression of brain and muscle ARNT‑like 1 (BMAL1) and other circadian clock genes can be regulated by drugs and toxicants. We previously demonstrated that icariin, extracted from Herba Epimedii, sromotes osteogenic differentiation. However, the mechanism underlying the association between icariin and BMAL1 in osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow‑derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) remains unclear. The present study was designed with an aim to clarify the association between icariin and BMAL1 in osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. The Cell Counting Kit‑8 assay was used to evaluate cell proliferation. The expression of bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2), RUNX family transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteocalcin (OC) and BMAL1 in BMSCs was evaluated by reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR and western blotting. ALP and Alizarin red S (ARS) staining were also performed. Icariin promoted BMSC proliferation, and upregulated expression of osteogenic genes and BMAL1. In addition, expression of the osteogenic genes BMP2, RUNX2, ALP and OC were upregulated by BMAL1 overexpression. Furthermore, we confirmed that BMAL1 deficiency suppressed osteogenic differentiation in BMSCs. Finally, ARS staining of BMAL1‑/‑ BMSCs revealed that BMAL1 was an essential intermediary in matrix mineralization during osteogenic differentiation. In conclusion, these results demonstrated that icariin promoted osteogenic differentiation through BMAL1‑BMP2 signaling in BMSCs. The present study thus described a novel target of icariin that has potential applications in the treatment of osteogenic disorders.

Ribosome and Translational Control in Stem Cells

Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and adult stem cells (ASCs) possess the remarkable capacity to self-renew while remaining poised to differentiate into multiple progenies in the context of a rapidly developing embryo or in steady-state tissues, respectively. This ability is controlled by complex genetic programs, which are dynamically orchestrated at different steps of gene expression, including chromatin remodeling, mRNA transcription, processing, and stability. In addition to maintaining stem cell homeostasis, these molecular processes need to be rapidly rewired to coordinate complex physiological modifications required to redirect cell fate in response to environmental clues, such as differentiation signals or tissue injuries. Although chromatin remodeling and mRNA expression have been extensively studied in stem cells, accumulating evidence suggests that stem cell transcriptomes and proteomes are poorly correlated and that stem cell properties require finely tuned protein synthesis. In addition, many studies have shown that the biogenesis of the translation machinery, the ribosome, is decisive for sustaining ESC and ASC properties. Therefore, these observations emphasize the importance of translational control in stem cell homeostasis and fate decisions. In this review, we will provide the most recent literature describing how ribosome biogenesis and translational control regulate stem cell functions and are crucial for accommodating proteome remodeling in response to changes in stem cell fate.

Circadian rhythms and the molecular clock in cardiovascular biology and disease

The Earth turns on its axis every 24 h; almost all life on the planet has a mechanism - circadian rhythmicity - to anticipate the daily changes caused by this rotation. The molecular clocks that control circadian rhythms are being revealed as important regulators of physiology and disease. In humans, circadian rhythms have been studied extensively in the cardiovascular system. Many cardiovascular functions, such as endothelial function, thrombus formation, blood pressure and heart rate, are now known to be regulated by the circadian clock. Additionally, the onset of acute myocardial infarction, stroke, arrhythmias and other adverse cardiovascular events show circadian rhythmicity. In this Review, we summarize the role of the circadian clock in all major cardiovascular cell types and organs. Second, we discuss the role of circadian rhythms in cardiovascular physiology and disease. Finally, we postulate how circadian rhythms can serve as a therapeutic target by exploiting or altering molecular time to improve existing therapies and develop novel ones.

The molecular clock in the skin, its functionality, and how it is disrupted in cutaneous melanoma: a new pharmacological target?

The skin is the interface between the organism and the external environment, acting as its first barrier. Thus, this organ is constantly challenged by physical stimuli such as UV and infrared radiation, visible light, and temperature as well as chemicals and pathogens. To counteract the deleterious effects of the above-mentioned stimuli, the skin has complex defense mechanisms such as: immune and neuroendocrine systems; shedding of epidermal squamous layers and apoptosis of damaged cells; DNA repair; and pigmentary system. Here we have reviewed the current knowledge regarding which stimuli affect the molecular clock of the skin, the consequences to skin-related biological processes and, based on such knowledge, we suggest some therapeutic targets. We also explored the recent advances regarding the molecular clock disruption in melanoma, its impact on the carcinogenic process, and its therapeutic value in melanoma treatment.