Mechanisms of Communication in the Mammalian Circadian Timing System

The ability of the SCN to synchronize peripheral clocks rely on a strong neuronal network that transmit time signals to other hypothalamic and extra-hypothalamic nuclei, and connections with the autonomic nervous and the endocrine system. Thus, the SCN entrain other tissue clocks by organizing the rhythms of hormone release and influencing, through the autonomic nervous system, the sensitivity of peripheral tissues to these hormones (reviewed in [35]).

Traditionally, the SCN have been divided into dorsomedial shell and ventrolateral core, based on the retinal innervation patterns and the neuropeptidergic repertoire of the neurons. This feature has been shown in hamsters, mice, rats and humans [36,37,38]. The light signal is transduced by photoreceptive cells in the retina and transmitted to the SCN core along the RHT by glutamate, substance P (SP) and pituitary adenylyl cyclase activating peptide (PACAP). Glutamate activates N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors increasing intracellular Ca²⁺ concentrations, which results in the phosphorylation and activation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-response-element-binding protein (CREB) by protein kinase A (PKA). Activated CREB binds to cAMP response elements (CREs) in Per1 and Per2 promoters inducing their transcription. Thus, the rhythmicity of neurons from the SCN core is determined mainly by the photic input. Neurons in the SCN core communicate with the neurons in the SCN shell by several neurotransmitters such as vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) and SP [39,40,41]. Cells in the SCN shell exhibit a self-sustained rhythmicity [42] driven by the autoregulatory TTL of clock genes. This property of the SCN was observed when the rhythmic behaviour of dissociate neurons was compared with SCN organotypic cultures [43]. Dissociated SCN neurons exhibit circadian clock gene expression and spontaneous firing rhythms with periods ranging between 20 and 30 hrs. In contrast, SCN neurons in an organotypic culture are synchronized to each other and the period range is much smaller [42]. This suggests that the light signal received by the SCN core pulls the phases of individual neurons in the SCN shell closer together in order to generate a robust and rhythmic output. In turn, SCN shell neurons communicate with hypothalamic and extra-hypothalamic targets by releasing vasopressin (AVP), gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) and diffusible signals (reviewed by [44]).

In a recent paper, core-to-shell and shell-to-core communications have been described in more detail in the murine SCN [45]. The best-studied cell types of the SCN sub-regions are neurons synthesizing AVP in the shell and those expressing VIP in the core region. Moreover, met-enkephalin (ENK)-expressing neurons have been described in the shell and calretinin- (CALR) and gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP)-producing neurons in the core [36]. Current evidence indicates that a complex network organization and communication among different SCN neurons is the key for pacemaker function. The general assumption is that core neurons signal to those of the shell while there is less communication in the reverse direction. However, each individual neuron in the SCN makes as many as 1000 synapses, building a highly specialized network [45,46]. In a recent paper, Park and colleagues performed single-cell transcriptional analysis and revealed novel neuronal phenotypes and interaction networks, providing the basis to fully understand the complex organization of SCN neurons at tissue level [47]. Interestingly, the presence of glia cells in the SCN in an estimated ratio of 3:1 (neurons to glia) adds another level of complexity to the SCN cellular network. SCN astrocytes display antiphasic rhythms of intracellular Ca²⁺ levels compared to neurons. Thus, astrocytes likely play a role in the generation and maintenance of robust SCN circadian oscillations [48,49]. Despite recent advances, the neurochemistry underlying this neuronal–astrocytes network is still not clear.

The connections of the SCN with different target organs prepare both the body for upcoming changes in the circadian cycle, and single organs for receiving the hormonal signals associated with these changes. Tracing techniques have shown multiple neuronal projections connecting the SCN with other brain regions. Most of the SCN connections are within the medial hypothalamus where the key cell groups are involved in organizing hormone release and autonomic control [50,51]. These cell groups are located in the medial preoptic area (MPO), the sub-paraventricular area (sub-PVN) and the dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH). In addition to the ventral and dorsal borders of the PVN, SCN fibres innervate the arcuate nucleus (ARC) and the lateral hypothalamus [52]. Optogenetic induction or suppression of firing in SCN neurons is sufficient to reset the phase and period of the molecular clockwork and alter SCN-dependent entrainment of behavioural rhythms [53].

At the same time, the SCN also receive input from hypothalamic and extra-hypothalamic regions, which allows the adjustment of SCN outputs. Reciprocal neuronal connections mediating this feedback have been described with the ARC [54], the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) [55] and the DMH [56]. In a recent paper, Buijs and colleagues tested the SCN–ARC reciprocity by specifically disrupting the connection between these without altering other projections from the SCN to subparaventricular zone-paraventricular nucleus (SPZ-PVN), PVN or DMH. Surprisingly, a specific elimination of SCN–ARC crosstalk results in a complete loss of rhythmicity of one of the main synchronizing hormones, corticosterone, without disrupting SCN clock gene expression [52]. A significant limitation of SCN lesion experiments is that they interrupt neuronal networks with low specificity and may interfere with optic signalling through the nearby RHT. Therefore, in order to dissect the role of the pacemaker clock itself, several models with a specific genetic deletion of the SCN clockwork were generated. These experiments demonstrate that the central pacemaker is important to keep the synchrony of the circadian network in absence of external zeitgebers or when conflicting zeitgeber signals are received [10,57].

The influence of the SCN on hormonal secretion and, in turn, the action of these hormones in peripheral tissues is considered as one of the main systemic synchronization routes. However, the SCN also modulate the autonomic nervous system to adapt the sensitivity of peripheral organs to those hormones (reviewed in [35]).

The regulation of circadian glucocorticoid (GC) secretion is one of the best-studied examples of circadian coordination involving a cooperation between the SCN, the autonomic system and adrenocortical clocks [58]. The SCN, via the activation of corticoliberin (CRH) secretion from the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN), controls the rhythmic release of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) from the pituitary. ACTH, in turn, stimulates GC production in zona fasciculata cells of the adrenal cortex. Via another route involving autonomic pathways, either directly to the adrenal cortex or through connections with the adjacent medulla, the SCN synchronizes adrenal clocks, thereby regulating the sensitivity of the steroidogenic machinery to ACTH stimulation [13,58,59]. Transplantation and knock-down studies suggest that this sensitivity is gated by the adrenal clock. The adrenal gland is more sensitive to ACTH just before the onset of the activity period—as a result, with the same ACTH stimulus the adrenal cortex releases more corticosterone at the beginning of the activity period than at the beginning of the sleep period [58,60]. GC effects are primarily exerted by the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), which is widely expressed throughout the body and within the brain (reviewed by [61]) with the noted exception of the SCN [62]. GCs also bind to and activate the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) whose expression is restricted to certain tissues [63]. Due to the higher GC affinity to MR, this receptor is tonically activated while GRs are activated only during peaks of ultradian GC pulses or during acute stress responses [64]. GRs act as ligand-activated transcription factors. Upon GC binding, GRs translocate from the cytosol to the nucleus, bind to GRE (glucocorticoid responsive element) DNA motifs in regulatory regions of target genes and modulate transcriptional activity. The daily peak of GCs is synchronized with the need to mobilize energy from tissue stores anticipating the active phase, e.g., promoting gluconeogenesis and glucose release from the liver [65] and fatty acids release from adipose tissues [66]. GR signalling and the molecular clock machinery interact in multiple and reciprocal ways. Hormone-bound GR binds GREs in the promoter regions of several clock genes [67]. Moreover, several clock proteins regulate GR intracellular localization and activity. These multiple bi-directional interactions explain the role of GCs as a major entrainment signal and their role in gating the sensitivity of peripheral tissue to systemic signals across the day (reviewed by [61]).

Melatonin is considered as another key-synchronizing signal, since it exhibits a strong circadian rhythmicity with higher levels during the night (in phase and in anti-phase with GC rhythms in nocturnal and diurnal animals, respectively). In most mammals, rhythmic release of melatonin is regulated by light through sympathetic neuronal connections from the SCN to the pineal gland [3]. Melatonin signal is transduced by G protein-coupled receptors expressed in the SCN, the pituitary and several peripheral organs such as adrenal glands, lung, heart, liver, etc. (reviewed by [68]). For instance, melatonin signalling has been involved in transmitting seasonal day length information to the pars tuberalis, and the circadian regulation of insulin secretion and blood glucose levels [69].

Early studies showed that autonomic nerve activity changes after light exposure while this effect is absent in SCN-lesioned animals [70]. Later, tracing techniques demonstrated that the SCN is connected with several peripheral organs such as adipose tissue, adrenal, heart, liver, ovary, kidney, pancreas, etc. [71,72,73,74,75,76,77]. A combination of tracing techniques and selective denervation also revealed that the SCN is connected with these organs through sympathetic and parasympathetic pre-ganglionic neurons [78]. For instance, leptin, a hormone secreted by adipose tissue, displays a diurnal pattern that is controlled by the SCN through the sympathetic innervation [79]. Although leptin induces phase advances in SCN slices, it may not shift the activity rhythm in vivo but instead potentiate the phase-shifting effect of a light pulse in the late subjective night [80,81]. Electrophysiological experiments demonstrate that the connections of the SCN with neuroendocrine centres in the hypothalamus are physically separated from autonomic connections representing an independent communication route to the periphery [82,83].

Food intake is a potent synchronizer for most peripheral clocks including the ones in liver, adipose tissue, muscle, gut and pancreas. A temporal inversion of the normal feeding schedule is able to uncouple the phase of the SCN and peripheral clocks. Thus, while the phase of the SCN clock stays tied to the light–dark cycle, food is the dominant zeitgeber for peripheral oscillators [15,84]. One well-described resetting factor in this context is insulin [85]. In response to post-prandial hyperglycaemia, the pancreas releases insulin that is received by peripheral tissues with differential sensitivity. Insulin is able to induce Per2 expression in target tissues. Liver and adipose tissues are highly responsive to insulin and show a large phase shift of Per2 expression, while subtle effects were observed in less insulin responsive tissues such as the lung, aorta and submandibular gland [85]. In line with this observation, it was shown that the disruption of the circadian rhythm in insulin secretion by high-fat diet intake is associated with dampened amplitudes of clock gene expression rhythms in the liver [86]. Moreover, similar mechanisms of food-dependent resetting of the peripheral clocks have been described for pancreatic (glucagon), stomach (ghrelin), hepatic (IGF-1) and intestinal (oxyntomodulin) metabolic signals [87,88,89,90].

The role of local clocks is better assessed in in vitro experiments due to the absence of external systemic timing cues. However, approaches to study the role of a particular tissue clock in the context of a systemic and complex physiological process is complicated by the ubiquitous nature of the clock gene machinery. Before the development of genetic approaches allowing the deletion of clock genes in specific tissues, some transplantation studies provided first insights into the physiological role of local tissue clocks. Later, conditional CRE-loxP-based gene targeting was used to knock out the clock (mainly Bmal1, as the only non-redundant clock gene known to date) in numerous peripheral tissues such as liver, pancreas, muscle, heart and adipose tissue [91,92,93,94,95,96]. Reversible CRE systems [97] and, more recently, viral transgene delivery have further been used for tissue-specific deletion of clock function in vivo (reviewed by [98]). By using these tools, we have a relatively good understanding of the role of the adrenal clock in the regulation of the circadian release of GCs. As we already mentioned, light directly activate adrenal clock gene expression via SCN-sympathetic nervous system routes independent from the SCN connection to the hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis [13]. Transplantation experiments showed that the adrenal clock gates the sensitivity of the gland to ACTH [58]. However, experiments using adrenal cortex-specific clock deficient mice indicate that the adrenocortical clock itself is dispensable for maintaining normal circadian rhythms of corticosterone release in rhythmic light–dark and constant darkness conditions [99]. A recent paper showed that only during exposure to aberrant light–dark schedules does the adrenal clock play a role stabilizing circadian GC rhythms [100]. Taken together, these results indicate that—rather than regulating baseline circadian rhythms—local clocks may primarily be responsible for integrating different timing signals to produce an appropriate response to external stimuli.

As mentioned before, despite the fact that the SCN serves as the master light-driven synchronizer of the body’s rhythms and clocks, an inversion in the feeding schedule is able to uncouple SCN and peripheral clock rhythms and downstream processes. Le Minh et al. demonstrated that the kinetics of this dissociation between SCN and liver clocks are modulated by GCs [101]. Similarly, when a mouse entrained to a 12 h light/12 h dark (LD) cycle is subjected to phase advance of light by 6 h (a widely used jetlag paradigm) the circadian system will tend to re-entrain all the clocks to the new LD cycle. Kiessling et al. showed that the speed of this re-entrainment is strongly dependent on daily GC rhythms [102]. Years later, Saini et al. developed a system to record the expression of Bmal1 in the liver using luciferase as a reporter in freely moving mice [103]. In these experiments, they combined timed feeding regimes (restricted to the active or to the resting phase) with SCN lesions. In SCN intact mice, the change of the feeding time from night to day did not immediately impact the phase of the liver clock. In contrast, mice with lesioned SCN showed a rapid shift of the liver clock following the time of food availability [103]. These results indicate that the communication between central and peripheral clocks through systemic signals stabilizes temporal integration when conflicting zeitgeber signals (that may be stochastic or intermittent) are received from the environment.

In this context, inter-tissue and inter-cellular synchronization appears to be critical to integrate different timing cues. In a recent study, 24-h metabolic profiles of several mouse tissues were mapped simultaneously showing intra- and inter-tissue metabolic coordination. A comparative analysis showed that within a particular tissue metabolites sharing positive temporal correlation have similar functions or belong to a common pathway while metabolites with a negative temporal correlation represent physiologically incompatible pathways [104]. Importantly, these data provide insights into possible mechanisms regulating inter-tissue temporal coordination and gating of metabolism to specific time windows.

With regard to inter-cellular communication, the presence of similar coupling mechanisms to those present in the SCN has so far not been described for peripheral tissues [43]. Recently, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been implicated in the circadian synchronization in peripheral tissues [105]. EVs contain and transport molecules such as membrane and cytosolic proteins, mRNAs and non-coding RNAs and their regulatory function depends on receptor–ligand interactions on target cells or direct content delivery after internalization. The cargo of plasmatic EVs isolated from mice exposed to alternating LD cycles—mimicking a night shift schedule—was altered and able to modulate clock gene expression in cultured adipocytes [106]. This evidence constitutes an interesting starting point for further studies.

The intracellular environment is an important regulator of the cell’s clock. One of the first described examples is the regulation of core clock proteins (e.g., the BMAL1:CLOCK dimer) by the oxidized Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (Phosphate)/reduced Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (Phosphate) (NAD(P)⁺/NAD(P)H) redox ratio dynamically modulating the dimer’s binding to E-box sequences [107]. Oscillating intracellular NAD⁺ levels will play an additional role in controlling gene expression by activating the deacetylase Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) that will promote the necessary chromatin remodelling [108]. Moreover, the rhythmic carbohydrate metabolism and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation contribute to the oscillation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels (reviewed by [109]). In a recent paper, Wible et al. show that a key transcription factor, regulated by oxidative signalling, Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-related factor 2 (NRF2) is under transcriptional control by CLOCK:BMAL1 contributing to the integration of the cellular rhythmicity to the cellular redox state [110]. A number of other cellular metabolites, e.g., the Adenosine monophosphate/Adenosine triphosphate (AMP/ATP) ratio, have been identified as sensors of the cellular metabolic status. Adenosine monophosphate-dependent activation of the kinase (AMPK), leads to phosphorylation and destabilization of CRY1. Thus, AMPK activation alters the clock phase communicating the energetic state to the local clock machinery [111].

To sum up, the mechanisms underlying communication within the mammalian circadian clock system are complex, highly interconnected and present at all levels—from intracellular signalling to intercellular and systemic coordination (Figure 1 and Table 1). Future studies using targeted genetics and tailored signalling molecules will help us to understand how these mechanisms work together in coordinating an appropriate physiological response to meet environmental demands—and ultimately help in devising manipulative strategies exploiting the clock system communication in therapeutic settings.