Physical and Inflammatory Stressors Elevate Circadian Clock Gene mPer1 mRNA Levels in the Paraventricular Nucleus of the Mouse

Forced swimming, immobilization, and lipopolysaccharide injection elevated mPer1 gene expression in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN).

• Stress induces secretion of corticosterone through the activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.
• Corticosterone secretion is thought to be regulated by a circadian clock located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN).
• The PVN integrates signals from both stress and the circadian clock.
• mPer1 gene expression increased specifically in the PVN in response to physical and inflammatory stressors.
• No changes in mPer2 expression were detected in the PVN, SCN, or liver following the stressors.
• The findings suggest that stress may disrupt circadian corticosterone secretion through increased mPer1 expression in the PVN.

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