Circadian rhythm–dependent and circadian rhythm–independent impacts of the molecular clock on type 3 innate lymphoid cells

Circadian rhythm influences intestinal group 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3s), affecting their function and development.

• ILC3s exhibit circadian oscillations in the expression of clock and cytokine genes, including REV-ERBα, IL-22, and IL-17.
• Acute disruption of circadian rhythm alters cytokine secretion by ILC3s.
• Constitutive deletion of REV-ERBα impairs the development of the NKp46ILC3 subset, resulting in reduced cell numbers, RORγt expression, and IL-22 production.
• NKp46ILC3 subsets develop normally, possibly due to compensatory expression of other clock genes.
• IL-17 secretion increases in the absence of REV-ERBα, likely because RORγt is not antagonized.

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