Immune Response to Daylight

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 Immune Response to Daylight




Researchers at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland, have found that the immune system operates more actively during the day, thanks to the body's internal regulation.

The study, published in Science Immunology, focused on neutrophils—the most common type of white blood cell responsible for quickly responding to infections and killing bacteria. Using genetically similar and transparent zebrafish as a model, the team observed immune responses in real time.

Lead researcher Associate Professor Christopher Hall notes that earlier research showed the fish's immune responses were most potent in the morning, aligning with their most active period. This pattern likely evolved because animals are more exposed to potential infections when they're active during daylight hours.

The new research revealed that neutrophils carry circadian clocks, which signal daytime and enhance their bacteria-fighting function. Most cells in the body have these clocks, which are highly influenced by light exposure.

Because neutrophils are the first immune cells to arrive at sites of inflammation, this discovery may have wide-reaching impacts on treating inflammatory diseases. Targeting the circadian clock in neutrophils could lead to new therapies that improve the body's ability to fight infections.

The Royal Society of New Zealand's Science Fund supported the study. Ongoing research aims to clarify precisely how light affects the circadian clock in neutrophils.

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