Circadian Clock–Coupled Lung Cellular and Molecular Functions in Chronic Airway Diseases

Abnormal circadian rhythms of lung function are linked to airway diseases.

• Daily fluctuations in airway caliber and resistance are influenced by circadian rhythms.
• Cigarette smoke, infections, and environmental stressors can disrupt the molecular clock in lungs.
• Alterations in specific proteins, like BMAL1 and PERIOD 2, are associated with reduced activity of the deacetylase SIRT1.
• Dysfunction of the molecular clock may contribute to immune responses and inflammation in the lungs.
• The timing of glucocorticoid sensitivity and inflammation responses is regulated by the molecular clock.
• Targeting signaling pathways such as SIRT1-BMAL1-REV-ERBα may offer new approaches for managing chronic airway diseases.

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