How the surrounding cell environment affects internal biological clocks

Tissue stiffness may regulate circadian clocks in a cell-type-dependent manner.

• Circadian clocks help coordinate tissue health with daily rhythms.
• Disruptions in circadian clock mechanisms are associated with increased disease risk, particularly in aging, metabolic dysfunction, and cancer.
• The molecular components of circadian clocks control specific sets of rhythmic genes in different cell types.
• Changes in tissue structure and cellular environment throughout life may influence the functioning of circadian cycles.
• The extracellular matrix is linked to the differential regulation of circadian clocks across various tissues.

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