Circadian Oscillations of Clock Genes, Cytolytic Factors, and Cytokines in Rat NK Cells1
http://www.100md.com
免疫学杂志 2005年第12期
Abstract
A growing body of knowledge is revealing the critical role of circadian physiology in the development of specific pathological entities such as cancer. NK cell function participates in the immune response against infection and malignancy. We have reported previously the existence of a physiological circadian rhythm of NK cell cytolytic activity in rats, suggesting the existence of circadian mechanisms subjacent to NK cell function. At the cellular level, circadian rhythms are originated by the sustained transcriptional-translational oscillation of clock genes that form the cellular clock apparatus. Our aim in this study was to investigate the presence of molecular clock mechanisms in NK cells as well as the circadian expression of critical factors involved in NK cell function. For that purpose, we measured the circadian changes in the expression of clock genes (Per1, Per2, Bmal1, Clock), Dbp (a clock-controlled output gene), CREB (involved in clock signaling), cytolytic factors (granzyme B and perforin), and cytokines (IFN- and TNF-) in NK cells enriched from the rat spleen. The results obtained from this study demonstrate for the first time the existence of functional molecular clock mechanisms in NK cells. Moreover, the circadian expression of cytolytic factors and cytokines in NK cells reported in this study emphasizes the circadian nature of NK cell function.
Introduction
Circadian rhythms describe biological phenomena that oscillate within a 24-h cycle. These rhythms provide a temporal frame necessary for adequate homeostasis. By anticipating both environmental and internal changes, cells (and organisms) can efficiently program their physiological tasks. At the cellular level, circadian rhythms are originated by genetic elements (clock genes) organized in autoregulatory transcription-translation feedback loops. This oscillating machinery would ultimately generate the circadian rhythms in physiology and behavior. The core molecular clock components are: Per (Per1, Per2, and Per3) and Cry (Cry1 and Cry2) genes, which belong to the so-called negative limb of the clock; together with Clock and Bmal1 genes, which belong to the so-called positive limb of the clock. Downstream of the core clock components, the molecular clock machinery also comprises clock-controlled genes like the transcription factor Dbp, considered to be a direct regulator of clock outputs (1). In addition, other factors such as the Ca2+/CREB protein are being shown to play a central role in the clock molecular mechanism (2, 3). The basic oscillatory mechanism consists in the transcriptional activation of Per and Cry genes by CLOCK/BMAL1 heterodimers. Later accumulation of PER and CRY products suppresses the transcriptional activity driven by CLOCK/BMAL1, closing the feedback loop (4). Circadian oscillators (i.e., circadian rhythms in clock gene expression) have been detected in multiple peripheral tissues such as the heart (5), liver (6), spleen (7), bone marrow (8), endocrine tissues (9), pancreas (10), and others. To our knowledge, this is the first study addressing the existence of circadian oscillators in NK cells.
NK cells are a subset of lymphocytes characterized by the lack of CD3-TCR complex (11). NK cells are a critical component of the innate immunity against fungal, bacterial, and viral infections. They also play a vital role in cellular resistance to malignancy and tumor metastasis (12). NK cells can destroy infected and malignant cells by calcium-dependent release of cytolytic granules, by activation of the Fas (CD95) pathway or by TNF- release (13). Among these mechanisms, the release of cytolytic granules containing granzymes (particularly granzyme B) and of perforin seems to be the major mechanism used for the killing of the target cell (14). Another vital function of NK cells is the production of cytokines such as IFN- and TNF- (15). In addition to its essential role in effector functions against tumor metastases (16), IFN- acts as a self-activating molecule for NK cells (17). Similarly, TNF- promotes NK cell-mediated killing (18).
Light and daily rhythms have a profound influence on immune function (19, 20). Many studies have described circadian variations of different immune parameters such as lymphocyte proliferation, Ag presentation, and cytokine gene expression (21). More specifically, previous works have pointed to changes in NK cell activity at different times of the day (22, 23, 24). We have recently published a conclusive study that describes the circadian rhythm in NK cell cytolytic activity in rats (25). Still, the underlying mechanisms governing NK cell circadian function are largely unknown. This uncertainty is not a trivial issue because alterations in circadian rhythms can lead to serious pathologies such as sleep disorders, cardiovascular diseases, depression, and even cancer (26, 27). Furthermore, emerging data in the human and animal literature suggest that circadian regulation may be crucial for the host defenses against cancer (28).
Under this perspective, our aim was to investigate the presence of molecular clock mechanisms in NK cells as well as the circadian expression of critical factors involved in NK cell function. For that purpose, we measured the circadian changes in the expression of clock genes (Per1, Per2, Bmal1, and Clock), Dbp (a clock-controlled output gene), CREB (involved in clock signaling), cytolytic factors (granzyme B and perforin), and cytokines (IFN- and TNF-) in NK cells enriched from the rat spleen.
Materials and Methods
For protein analysis, 2 x 106 enriched NK cells (per spleen) were subjected to standard SDS-PAGE electrophoresis, and proteins were transferred to polyvinylidene difluoride membranes following usual procedures. Blots were probed with granzyme B mAb (BD Biosciences), perforin polyclonal Ab (Torrey Pines Biolabs), IFN- polyclonal Ab (Chemicon International), TNF- polyclonal Ab (Chemicon International), phospho-CREB polyclonal Ab (Upstate Biotechnology) and mAb (Oncogene Research Products) for normalizing purposes. After chemiluminiscence detection (ECL Plus; Amersham), densitometric analyses were performed using Scion Image software. Relative protein levels were calculated as a percentage of the maximum value observed in each blot.
Statistical analysis
One-way ANOVA with the Newman-Keuls posttest was used to assess differences between means at different time points. A value of p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results
Canonical clock genes are expressed in NK cells
We first investigated the presence of canonical components of the cellular clock in NK cells. RT-PCR analysis revealed that both negative (Per1 and Per2) and positive (Bmal1 and Clock) components of the molecular clock are expressed in enriched NK cells and in the rat NK cell line RNK16 (Fig. 1). As a control, clock gene expression was codetected in the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) and the spleen.
Canonical clock genes oscillate in enriched NK cells
Our second aim was to know whether splenic NK cells present clock gene oscillations in vivo. For that purpose, we performed relative quantitation of clock genes mRNA by real-time PCR in enriched splenic NK cells obtained at different time points. Per1 mRNA levels peaked at ZT11 and were minimum from ZT23 to ZT7 (p < 0.05; Fig. 2A). Per2 mRNA levels were found to be lowest at ZT23, and were consistently high from ZT11 to ZT15 (p < 0.05; Fig. 2B). The mRNA oscillations of the positive clock genes Bmal1 and Clock were very similar, showing two maxima at ZT3 and ZT7, and steady low levels from ZT11 to ZT23 (p < 0.05; Fig. 2, C and D). These time points coincided with rising mRNA levels of Per1 and Per2, their negative counterparts in the molecular clock. Dbp, a clock-controlled transcription factor, also presented circadian oscillations in mRNA levels, which peaked at ZT11 and were minimum from ZT19 to ZT23 (p < 0.05; Fig. 2E).
Granzyme B, perforin, IFN-, and TNF- mRNA levels show circadian oscillations in enriched NK cells
If the cellular clock is somehow involved in NK cell function it would be expected to see circadian oscillations in the expression of cytolytic factors and cytokines produced by these lymphocytes. To investigate this possibility, we performed relative mRNA quantitation of granzyme B, perforin, IFN-, and TNF- by real-time PCR in enriched splenic NK cells obtained at different time points. Circadian oscillations of transcripts levels were found in all the mentioned factors. Granzyme B mRNA levels peaked at ZT7 (p < 0.05; Fig. 3A), perforin mRNA presented maximum levels from ZT3 to ZT7 (p < 0.05; Fig. 3B), IFN- mRNA levels showed steady high levels from ZT3 to ZT11 (p < 0.05; Fig. 3C), and TNF- mRNA levels peaked at ZT7 (p < 0.05; Fig. 3D). Interestingly, the circadian rhythms in mRNA levels of these four factors were coordinated, showing high levels at the beginning of the light phase (ZT3-ZT7) and low levels during the dark phase.
Granzyme B, perforin, IFN-, and TNF- protein levels show circadian oscillations in enriched NK cells
We also examined whether the circadian variations in the mRNA of cytolytic factors and cytokines were translated to oscillations in their protein levels. Enriched NK cells presented circadian oscillations in the protein levels of granzyme B, perforin, IFN-, and TNF-. Granzyme B protein levels peaked at ZT19 (p < 0.05; Fig. 4A), perforin protein presented maximum levels from ZT19 to Z23 (p < 0.05; Fig. 4B), IFN- protein levels also showed two maxima at ZT19 and ZT23 (p < 0.05; Fig. 4C), and TNF- protein levels peaked at ZT15 (p < 0.05; Fig. 4D). Similarly to mRNA oscillations, the circadian rhythms in protein levels of these four factors were also coordinated, showing high levels during the dark phase and low levels during the light phase. It is worth noting that the rhythms in protein levels of cytolytic factors and cytokines run in antiphase to those of mRNA levels. Furthermore, granzyme B, perforin, and IFN- all showed a significant peak in protein levels at ZT19, exactly when the peak in NK cell cytolytic activity has been reported (25).
Phosphorylated CREB levels oscillate in enriched NK cells
As suggested, the cAMP response element (CRE)/CREB pathway appears to be involved in the clock molecular mechanism. Although there were no significant circadian variations in CREB mRNA levels in enriched NK cells (p > 0.05; Fig. 5A), we found a significant peak in phosphorylated CREB levels at ZT7 (p < 0.05; Fig. 5B). Interestingly enough, phosphorylated CREB peak coincides with maximum mRNA levels of granzyme B, perforin, IFN-, and TNF-.
Discussion
In this study we report for the first time the existence of clock gene oscillations in splenic-enriched NK cells. In addition, we demonstrate circadian expression of granzyme B, perforin, IFN-, and TNF-, which emphasizes the circadian nature of NK cell function.
We have used previously whole rat spleens to identify the mRNA and protein rhythms of granzyme B, perforin, and IFN- (25). In contrast, in this study we used enriched NK cells from rat spleens to analyze the rhythms of granzyme B, perforin, IFN-, and TNF-. Other splenic lymphocytes can also express cytolytic factors and/or IFN- (CD8 lymphocytes, NKT cells, APCs, and others). Hence, a thorough study in an enriched NK cell population was mandatory because granzyme B, perforin, and IFN- rhythms coming from non-NK cell sources may mask, at least in part, the actual rhythms in the expression of cytolytic factors and IFN- in splenic NK cells. Although some differences exist when comparing the circadian patterns, both studies coincide in showing the highest mRNA levels of granzyme B, perforin, and IFN- during the light period and the highest protein levels of granzyme B, perforin, and IFN- during the dark period. The fact that the circadian rhythms in both mRNA and protein levels of granzyme B, perforin, and IFN- were found to be similar (±4 h shifts) in both enriched NK cells and in the spleen (25) leads to several conclusions: 1) these circadian rhythms are conserved and reproducible in rats, 2) NK cells and other splenocytes may share similar rhythms in the expression of granzyme B, perforin, and IFN-, or 3) the circadian nature of the cytolytic function may be exclusive of NK cells. Regarding the latest, it would be expected for innate immune mechanisms such as NK cell function to have developed a circadian regulation to optimize their activity when most needed.
Perforin and granzymes have been largely recognized as fundamental components of the granule-mediated cytolytic activity (32). IFN- produced by NK cells acts as a self-activating molecule that promotes NK-cell-mediated killing (17). In this work we have included the circadian analysis of TNF-, also relevant for NK cell function. TNF- promotes NK-cell mediated killing (33) and there is direct evidence for its role as a cytotoxic molecule during the effector phase of the NK-mediated and lymphokine-activated killer-mediated antitumor cytolytic pathway (34). Interestingly enough, TNF- rhythms in mRNA and protein matched with those found for cytolytic factors and IFN-. This finding further suggests a circadian coordination of the molecular logistic necessary to perform NK cell function. Indeed, granzyme B, perforin, and IFN-, all showed a significant peak in protein levels at ZT19, exactly when the peak in NK cell cytolytic activity in rat spleen has been recently reported (25). The circadian oscillations of cytolytic factors and cytokines may compose an anticipation mechanism that would allow NK cells to follow their physiological rhythm in cytolytic activity. Indeed, a disruption in the rhythm of NK cell cytolytic activity in ethanol-treated rats was correlated with alterations in the circadian rhythms of granzyme B, perforin, and IFN- (25).
Recurrent evidences for circadian NK functionality point inescapably to the existence of molecular clock mechanisms within NK cells. In this study we demonstrate for the first time the expression of canonical components of the cellular clock in NK cells as well as their circadian oscillations in NK cells enriched from the rat spleen. Moreover, clock gene transcripts oscillate in enriched NK cells with many properties similar to those seen in other peripheral tissues: Per1 transcript peaks at the time of the light-dark transition (5, 35, 36). So does Per2, with a longer acrophase than Per1 (5, 10). Bmal1 runs near antiphase with Per genes (37) and Clock has been shown to oscillate in phase with Bmal1 in the heart (5) and in the liver (38). Finally, Dbp, a clock-controlled transcription factor, also showed a strong circadian oscillation. Dbp is thought to generate upstream signals for physiological processes under circadian regulation (39), as it has been proven for locomotor activity (40) and the expression of some liver enzymes (41). Moreover, the circadian rhythm of Dbp transcript levels matches with Per1 rhythm, as seen in other peripheral tissues (42, 43). Circadian oscillations of Dbp indicate ultimately that the NK cell clock is able to generate functional outputs.
The aforementioned properties suggest all together the existence of functional molecular clock machinery in NK cells. In addition, antiphasic mRNA and protein rhythms in cytolytic factors and cytokines point to a negative feedback regulation, which is a hallmark of any oscillatory mechanism. Recent studies prove that circadian clock mechanisms are involved in key physiological processes such as glucose homeostasis (44), insulin secretion (39), prolactin secretion (45), and reproductive activity (46). Similarly, the results obtained in this study yield a possible connection between NK cell function and the molecular clock machinery.
Per gene expression has been reported in human lymphocytes (47, 48). Furthermore, human Per1 gene daily variations have been shown to have a similar acrophase and peak in both PBMCs and peripheral polymorphonuclear cells (49). Oishi et al. (50) reported a circadian Per2 mRNA expression in rat peripheral mononuclear lymphocytes that peaks at the early dark phase (ZT14), in accordance to our results in enriched NK cells. Thus, the existence of molecular clock machinery may be conserved across different lymphocyte subsets and peripheral blood cells. Moreover, they may share common entrainment signals. In this sense, it is yet to be deciphered whether the SCN, the central circadian pacemaker, is involved in the entrainment of NK cell function, as well as the coordinating signals by which circadian information may be conveyed to NK cells and other lymphocytes. Rhythms in the number of circulating T cells persisted in rats with disrupted circadian outputs (51). Similarly, SCN ablation did not affect the 24-h rhythms in cell cycle phase distribution in bone marrow cells (52), suggesting that some rhythms in the immune system may be SCN-independent. It is known that circadian gene expression can be maintained in vitro (6, 53). Thus, some peripheral clocks may be able to independently generate circadian oscillations and this could be also the case for NK cells. Rather than a mere rhythm generator for the periphery, the SCN should be envisioned as a transducer for light entrainment. However, there are entrainment signals other than light that may be coordinating the rhythm in NK cell function and other immunological parameters. For example, feeding is an important ZT for peripheral clock gene expression (54), and interestingly enough, internal desynchronization produced by restricted feeding during the light period slowed down tumor progression in mice (55). Daily activity rhythms are also considered to act as entrainment cues for peripheral tissues (56) and may as well influence the molecular clock in NK cells. In addition, intrinsic immunological outputs such a cytokine secretion could function as entrainment factors for immune cells. Indeed, IL-6 has been shown to induce Per1 expression in vitro (57).
Recent studies are presenting CREB itself as a key component of the molecular clock mechanism. CREB-dependent signaling regulates Per promoters (58), being regulation necessary for light-induced signaling and phase shifts in the SCN (2, 59). In addition, CREB activation was shown to be involved in the generation of circadian clock gene expression in rat fibroblasts (43), suggesting a role for the CRE/CREB pathway also in peripheral tissues. In contrast, it has been reported that CRE sequences are necessary and sufficient for transcriptional activation of the granzyme B promoter in immortalized T cell lines and primary T cells (60). Indeed, a decreased CREB phosphorylation was correlated with a decrease in granzyme B transcription in NK cells (61). CRE sequences are also found in the perforin promoter (62). In addition, CREB has been proven to modulate IFN- and TNF- gene transcription in several systems (63, 64, 65, 66). We show in this study a temporal correlation between the peak in phosphorylated CREB levels and the peaks in transcript levels of cytolytic factors and cytokines. Therefore, the CRE/CREB pathway appears as a suggestive link between the NK cell clock and NK cell circadian function.
Finally, the attention given by the scientific community to circadian-related pathology has been augmenting in the last few years (67). Circadian rhythms seem to be particularly relevant in cardiovascular diseases (68), immune responses (69), and cancer (70, 71). It has been shown in mice that chronic jet lag disrupts circadian gene expression and accelerates tumor growth (72). Similarly, a disruption of the molecular clock machinery by mutation of Per2 increases the susceptibility of mice to the development of tumors (73). Alterations in circadian NK cell function may underlie some of these circadian-related pathologies. For example, NK cell cytolytic activity is significantly reduced after partial sleep deprivation (74) and correlates with a faster progression of breast cancer metastases (28). Indeed, an increased incidence of breast cancer and colorectal cancer has been documented in women working during night shift hours (75, 76). However, further research will be necessary to unveil the plausible connection between the NK cell clock machinery and NK cell function. The information on the mechanisms orchestrating this interaction will be extremely helpful for the development of chronotherapeutic approaches, which are undergoing lately an extensive development, especially in cancer therapy (77).
Acknowledgments
We thank Dr. J. P. Advis and Dr. C. P. Chen for providing SCN samples. We also thank Petra Pham and Theresa H. Choi from the Analytical Cytometry/Image Analysis Core Facility of the Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey and Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.
Footnotes
The costs of publication of this article were defrayed in part by the payment of page charges. This article must therefore be hereby marked advertisement in accordance with 18 U.S.C. Section 1734 solely to indicate this fact.
1 This work was supported by National Institutes of Health Grants AA00220 and AA12642.
2 Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Dipak K. Sarkar, Endocrinology Program, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 84 Lipman Drive, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8525. E-mail address: sarkar{at}aesop.rutgers.edu
3 Abbreviations used in this paper: ZT, Zeitgeber time; SCN, suprachiasmatic nucleus; CRE, cAMP response element.
Received for publication December 30, 2004. Accepted for publication March 23, 2005.
References
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Yoo, S. H., S. Yamazaki, P. L. Lowrey, K. Shimomura, C. H. Ko, E. D. Buhr, S. M. Siepka, H. K. Hong, W. J. Oh, O. J. Yoo, et al 2004. PERIOD2::LUCIFERASE real-time reporting of circadian dynamics reveals persistent circadian oscillations in mouse peripheral tissues. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 101: 5339-5346.(Alvaro Arjona and Dipak K)
A growing body of knowledge is revealing the critical role of circadian physiology in the development of specific pathological entities such as cancer. NK cell function participates in the immune response against infection and malignancy. We have reported previously the existence of a physiological circadian rhythm of NK cell cytolytic activity in rats, suggesting the existence of circadian mechanisms subjacent to NK cell function. At the cellular level, circadian rhythms are originated by the sustained transcriptional-translational oscillation of clock genes that form the cellular clock apparatus. Our aim in this study was to investigate the presence of molecular clock mechanisms in NK cells as well as the circadian expression of critical factors involved in NK cell function. For that purpose, we measured the circadian changes in the expression of clock genes (Per1, Per2, Bmal1, Clock), Dbp (a clock-controlled output gene), CREB (involved in clock signaling), cytolytic factors (granzyme B and perforin), and cytokines (IFN- and TNF-) in NK cells enriched from the rat spleen. The results obtained from this study demonstrate for the first time the existence of functional molecular clock mechanisms in NK cells. Moreover, the circadian expression of cytolytic factors and cytokines in NK cells reported in this study emphasizes the circadian nature of NK cell function.
Introduction
Circadian rhythms describe biological phenomena that oscillate within a 24-h cycle. These rhythms provide a temporal frame necessary for adequate homeostasis. By anticipating both environmental and internal changes, cells (and organisms) can efficiently program their physiological tasks. At the cellular level, circadian rhythms are originated by genetic elements (clock genes) organized in autoregulatory transcription-translation feedback loops. This oscillating machinery would ultimately generate the circadian rhythms in physiology and behavior. The core molecular clock components are: Per (Per1, Per2, and Per3) and Cry (Cry1 and Cry2) genes, which belong to the so-called negative limb of the clock; together with Clock and Bmal1 genes, which belong to the so-called positive limb of the clock. Downstream of the core clock components, the molecular clock machinery also comprises clock-controlled genes like the transcription factor Dbp, considered to be a direct regulator of clock outputs (1). In addition, other factors such as the Ca2+/CREB protein are being shown to play a central role in the clock molecular mechanism (2, 3). The basic oscillatory mechanism consists in the transcriptional activation of Per and Cry genes by CLOCK/BMAL1 heterodimers. Later accumulation of PER and CRY products suppresses the transcriptional activity driven by CLOCK/BMAL1, closing the feedback loop (4). Circadian oscillators (i.e., circadian rhythms in clock gene expression) have been detected in multiple peripheral tissues such as the heart (5), liver (6), spleen (7), bone marrow (8), endocrine tissues (9), pancreas (10), and others. To our knowledge, this is the first study addressing the existence of circadian oscillators in NK cells.
NK cells are a subset of lymphocytes characterized by the lack of CD3-TCR complex (11). NK cells are a critical component of the innate immunity against fungal, bacterial, and viral infections. They also play a vital role in cellular resistance to malignancy and tumor metastasis (12). NK cells can destroy infected and malignant cells by calcium-dependent release of cytolytic granules, by activation of the Fas (CD95) pathway or by TNF- release (13). Among these mechanisms, the release of cytolytic granules containing granzymes (particularly granzyme B) and of perforin seems to be the major mechanism used for the killing of the target cell (14). Another vital function of NK cells is the production of cytokines such as IFN- and TNF- (15). In addition to its essential role in effector functions against tumor metastases (16), IFN- acts as a self-activating molecule for NK cells (17). Similarly, TNF- promotes NK cell-mediated killing (18).
Light and daily rhythms have a profound influence on immune function (19, 20). Many studies have described circadian variations of different immune parameters such as lymphocyte proliferation, Ag presentation, and cytokine gene expression (21). More specifically, previous works have pointed to changes in NK cell activity at different times of the day (22, 23, 24). We have recently published a conclusive study that describes the circadian rhythm in NK cell cytolytic activity in rats (25). Still, the underlying mechanisms governing NK cell circadian function are largely unknown. This uncertainty is not a trivial issue because alterations in circadian rhythms can lead to serious pathologies such as sleep disorders, cardiovascular diseases, depression, and even cancer (26, 27). Furthermore, emerging data in the human and animal literature suggest that circadian regulation may be crucial for the host defenses against cancer (28).
Under this perspective, our aim was to investigate the presence of molecular clock mechanisms in NK cells as well as the circadian expression of critical factors involved in NK cell function. For that purpose, we measured the circadian changes in the expression of clock genes (Per1, Per2, Bmal1, and Clock), Dbp (a clock-controlled output gene), CREB (involved in clock signaling), cytolytic factors (granzyme B and perforin), and cytokines (IFN- and TNF-) in NK cells enriched from the rat spleen.
Materials and Methods
For protein analysis, 2 x 106 enriched NK cells (per spleen) were subjected to standard SDS-PAGE electrophoresis, and proteins were transferred to polyvinylidene difluoride membranes following usual procedures. Blots were probed with granzyme B mAb (BD Biosciences), perforin polyclonal Ab (Torrey Pines Biolabs), IFN- polyclonal Ab (Chemicon International), TNF- polyclonal Ab (Chemicon International), phospho-CREB polyclonal Ab (Upstate Biotechnology) and mAb (Oncogene Research Products) for normalizing purposes. After chemiluminiscence detection (ECL Plus; Amersham), densitometric analyses were performed using Scion Image software. Relative protein levels were calculated as a percentage of the maximum value observed in each blot.
Statistical analysis
One-way ANOVA with the Newman-Keuls posttest was used to assess differences between means at different time points. A value of p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results
Canonical clock genes are expressed in NK cells
We first investigated the presence of canonical components of the cellular clock in NK cells. RT-PCR analysis revealed that both negative (Per1 and Per2) and positive (Bmal1 and Clock) components of the molecular clock are expressed in enriched NK cells and in the rat NK cell line RNK16 (Fig. 1). As a control, clock gene expression was codetected in the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) and the spleen.
Canonical clock genes oscillate in enriched NK cells
Our second aim was to know whether splenic NK cells present clock gene oscillations in vivo. For that purpose, we performed relative quantitation of clock genes mRNA by real-time PCR in enriched splenic NK cells obtained at different time points. Per1 mRNA levels peaked at ZT11 and were minimum from ZT23 to ZT7 (p < 0.05; Fig. 2A). Per2 mRNA levels were found to be lowest at ZT23, and were consistently high from ZT11 to ZT15 (p < 0.05; Fig. 2B). The mRNA oscillations of the positive clock genes Bmal1 and Clock were very similar, showing two maxima at ZT3 and ZT7, and steady low levels from ZT11 to ZT23 (p < 0.05; Fig. 2, C and D). These time points coincided with rising mRNA levels of Per1 and Per2, their negative counterparts in the molecular clock. Dbp, a clock-controlled transcription factor, also presented circadian oscillations in mRNA levels, which peaked at ZT11 and were minimum from ZT19 to ZT23 (p < 0.05; Fig. 2E).
Granzyme B, perforin, IFN-, and TNF- mRNA levels show circadian oscillations in enriched NK cells
If the cellular clock is somehow involved in NK cell function it would be expected to see circadian oscillations in the expression of cytolytic factors and cytokines produced by these lymphocytes. To investigate this possibility, we performed relative mRNA quantitation of granzyme B, perforin, IFN-, and TNF- by real-time PCR in enriched splenic NK cells obtained at different time points. Circadian oscillations of transcripts levels were found in all the mentioned factors. Granzyme B mRNA levels peaked at ZT7 (p < 0.05; Fig. 3A), perforin mRNA presented maximum levels from ZT3 to ZT7 (p < 0.05; Fig. 3B), IFN- mRNA levels showed steady high levels from ZT3 to ZT11 (p < 0.05; Fig. 3C), and TNF- mRNA levels peaked at ZT7 (p < 0.05; Fig. 3D). Interestingly, the circadian rhythms in mRNA levels of these four factors were coordinated, showing high levels at the beginning of the light phase (ZT3-ZT7) and low levels during the dark phase.
Granzyme B, perforin, IFN-, and TNF- protein levels show circadian oscillations in enriched NK cells
We also examined whether the circadian variations in the mRNA of cytolytic factors and cytokines were translated to oscillations in their protein levels. Enriched NK cells presented circadian oscillations in the protein levels of granzyme B, perforin, IFN-, and TNF-. Granzyme B protein levels peaked at ZT19 (p < 0.05; Fig. 4A), perforin protein presented maximum levels from ZT19 to Z23 (p < 0.05; Fig. 4B), IFN- protein levels also showed two maxima at ZT19 and ZT23 (p < 0.05; Fig. 4C), and TNF- protein levels peaked at ZT15 (p < 0.05; Fig. 4D). Similarly to mRNA oscillations, the circadian rhythms in protein levels of these four factors were also coordinated, showing high levels during the dark phase and low levels during the light phase. It is worth noting that the rhythms in protein levels of cytolytic factors and cytokines run in antiphase to those of mRNA levels. Furthermore, granzyme B, perforin, and IFN- all showed a significant peak in protein levels at ZT19, exactly when the peak in NK cell cytolytic activity has been reported (25).
Phosphorylated CREB levels oscillate in enriched NK cells
As suggested, the cAMP response element (CRE)/CREB pathway appears to be involved in the clock molecular mechanism. Although there were no significant circadian variations in CREB mRNA levels in enriched NK cells (p > 0.05; Fig. 5A), we found a significant peak in phosphorylated CREB levels at ZT7 (p < 0.05; Fig. 5B). Interestingly enough, phosphorylated CREB peak coincides with maximum mRNA levels of granzyme B, perforin, IFN-, and TNF-.
Discussion
In this study we report for the first time the existence of clock gene oscillations in splenic-enriched NK cells. In addition, we demonstrate circadian expression of granzyme B, perforin, IFN-, and TNF-, which emphasizes the circadian nature of NK cell function.
We have used previously whole rat spleens to identify the mRNA and protein rhythms of granzyme B, perforin, and IFN- (25). In contrast, in this study we used enriched NK cells from rat spleens to analyze the rhythms of granzyme B, perforin, IFN-, and TNF-. Other splenic lymphocytes can also express cytolytic factors and/or IFN- (CD8 lymphocytes, NKT cells, APCs, and others). Hence, a thorough study in an enriched NK cell population was mandatory because granzyme B, perforin, and IFN- rhythms coming from non-NK cell sources may mask, at least in part, the actual rhythms in the expression of cytolytic factors and IFN- in splenic NK cells. Although some differences exist when comparing the circadian patterns, both studies coincide in showing the highest mRNA levels of granzyme B, perforin, and IFN- during the light period and the highest protein levels of granzyme B, perforin, and IFN- during the dark period. The fact that the circadian rhythms in both mRNA and protein levels of granzyme B, perforin, and IFN- were found to be similar (±4 h shifts) in both enriched NK cells and in the spleen (25) leads to several conclusions: 1) these circadian rhythms are conserved and reproducible in rats, 2) NK cells and other splenocytes may share similar rhythms in the expression of granzyme B, perforin, and IFN-, or 3) the circadian nature of the cytolytic function may be exclusive of NK cells. Regarding the latest, it would be expected for innate immune mechanisms such as NK cell function to have developed a circadian regulation to optimize their activity when most needed.
Perforin and granzymes have been largely recognized as fundamental components of the granule-mediated cytolytic activity (32). IFN- produced by NK cells acts as a self-activating molecule that promotes NK-cell-mediated killing (17). In this work we have included the circadian analysis of TNF-, also relevant for NK cell function. TNF- promotes NK-cell mediated killing (33) and there is direct evidence for its role as a cytotoxic molecule during the effector phase of the NK-mediated and lymphokine-activated killer-mediated antitumor cytolytic pathway (34). Interestingly enough, TNF- rhythms in mRNA and protein matched with those found for cytolytic factors and IFN-. This finding further suggests a circadian coordination of the molecular logistic necessary to perform NK cell function. Indeed, granzyme B, perforin, and IFN-, all showed a significant peak in protein levels at ZT19, exactly when the peak in NK cell cytolytic activity in rat spleen has been recently reported (25). The circadian oscillations of cytolytic factors and cytokines may compose an anticipation mechanism that would allow NK cells to follow their physiological rhythm in cytolytic activity. Indeed, a disruption in the rhythm of NK cell cytolytic activity in ethanol-treated rats was correlated with alterations in the circadian rhythms of granzyme B, perforin, and IFN- (25).
Recurrent evidences for circadian NK functionality point inescapably to the existence of molecular clock mechanisms within NK cells. In this study we demonstrate for the first time the expression of canonical components of the cellular clock in NK cells as well as their circadian oscillations in NK cells enriched from the rat spleen. Moreover, clock gene transcripts oscillate in enriched NK cells with many properties similar to those seen in other peripheral tissues: Per1 transcript peaks at the time of the light-dark transition (5, 35, 36). So does Per2, with a longer acrophase than Per1 (5, 10). Bmal1 runs near antiphase with Per genes (37) and Clock has been shown to oscillate in phase with Bmal1 in the heart (5) and in the liver (38). Finally, Dbp, a clock-controlled transcription factor, also showed a strong circadian oscillation. Dbp is thought to generate upstream signals for physiological processes under circadian regulation (39), as it has been proven for locomotor activity (40) and the expression of some liver enzymes (41). Moreover, the circadian rhythm of Dbp transcript levels matches with Per1 rhythm, as seen in other peripheral tissues (42, 43). Circadian oscillations of Dbp indicate ultimately that the NK cell clock is able to generate functional outputs.
The aforementioned properties suggest all together the existence of functional molecular clock machinery in NK cells. In addition, antiphasic mRNA and protein rhythms in cytolytic factors and cytokines point to a negative feedback regulation, which is a hallmark of any oscillatory mechanism. Recent studies prove that circadian clock mechanisms are involved in key physiological processes such as glucose homeostasis (44), insulin secretion (39), prolactin secretion (45), and reproductive activity (46). Similarly, the results obtained in this study yield a possible connection between NK cell function and the molecular clock machinery.
Per gene expression has been reported in human lymphocytes (47, 48). Furthermore, human Per1 gene daily variations have been shown to have a similar acrophase and peak in both PBMCs and peripheral polymorphonuclear cells (49). Oishi et al. (50) reported a circadian Per2 mRNA expression in rat peripheral mononuclear lymphocytes that peaks at the early dark phase (ZT14), in accordance to our results in enriched NK cells. Thus, the existence of molecular clock machinery may be conserved across different lymphocyte subsets and peripheral blood cells. Moreover, they may share common entrainment signals. In this sense, it is yet to be deciphered whether the SCN, the central circadian pacemaker, is involved in the entrainment of NK cell function, as well as the coordinating signals by which circadian information may be conveyed to NK cells and other lymphocytes. Rhythms in the number of circulating T cells persisted in rats with disrupted circadian outputs (51). Similarly, SCN ablation did not affect the 24-h rhythms in cell cycle phase distribution in bone marrow cells (52), suggesting that some rhythms in the immune system may be SCN-independent. It is known that circadian gene expression can be maintained in vitro (6, 53). Thus, some peripheral clocks may be able to independently generate circadian oscillations and this could be also the case for NK cells. Rather than a mere rhythm generator for the periphery, the SCN should be envisioned as a transducer for light entrainment. However, there are entrainment signals other than light that may be coordinating the rhythm in NK cell function and other immunological parameters. For example, feeding is an important ZT for peripheral clock gene expression (54), and interestingly enough, internal desynchronization produced by restricted feeding during the light period slowed down tumor progression in mice (55). Daily activity rhythms are also considered to act as entrainment cues for peripheral tissues (56) and may as well influence the molecular clock in NK cells. In addition, intrinsic immunological outputs such a cytokine secretion could function as entrainment factors for immune cells. Indeed, IL-6 has been shown to induce Per1 expression in vitro (57).
Recent studies are presenting CREB itself as a key component of the molecular clock mechanism. CREB-dependent signaling regulates Per promoters (58), being regulation necessary for light-induced signaling and phase shifts in the SCN (2, 59). In addition, CREB activation was shown to be involved in the generation of circadian clock gene expression in rat fibroblasts (43), suggesting a role for the CRE/CREB pathway also in peripheral tissues. In contrast, it has been reported that CRE sequences are necessary and sufficient for transcriptional activation of the granzyme B promoter in immortalized T cell lines and primary T cells (60). Indeed, a decreased CREB phosphorylation was correlated with a decrease in granzyme B transcription in NK cells (61). CRE sequences are also found in the perforin promoter (62). In addition, CREB has been proven to modulate IFN- and TNF- gene transcription in several systems (63, 64, 65, 66). We show in this study a temporal correlation between the peak in phosphorylated CREB levels and the peaks in transcript levels of cytolytic factors and cytokines. Therefore, the CRE/CREB pathway appears as a suggestive link between the NK cell clock and NK cell circadian function.
Finally, the attention given by the scientific community to circadian-related pathology has been augmenting in the last few years (67). Circadian rhythms seem to be particularly relevant in cardiovascular diseases (68), immune responses (69), and cancer (70, 71). It has been shown in mice that chronic jet lag disrupts circadian gene expression and accelerates tumor growth (72). Similarly, a disruption of the molecular clock machinery by mutation of Per2 increases the susceptibility of mice to the development of tumors (73). Alterations in circadian NK cell function may underlie some of these circadian-related pathologies. For example, NK cell cytolytic activity is significantly reduced after partial sleep deprivation (74) and correlates with a faster progression of breast cancer metastases (28). Indeed, an increased incidence of breast cancer and colorectal cancer has been documented in women working during night shift hours (75, 76). However, further research will be necessary to unveil the plausible connection between the NK cell clock machinery and NK cell function. The information on the mechanisms orchestrating this interaction will be extremely helpful for the development of chronotherapeutic approaches, which are undergoing lately an extensive development, especially in cancer therapy (77).
Acknowledgments
We thank Dr. J. P. Advis and Dr. C. P. Chen for providing SCN samples. We also thank Petra Pham and Theresa H. Choi from the Analytical Cytometry/Image Analysis Core Facility of the Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey and Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.
Footnotes
The costs of publication of this article were defrayed in part by the payment of page charges. This article must therefore be hereby marked advertisement in accordance with 18 U.S.C. Section 1734 solely to indicate this fact.
1 This work was supported by National Institutes of Health Grants AA00220 and AA12642.
2 Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Dipak K. Sarkar, Endocrinology Program, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 84 Lipman Drive, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8525. E-mail address: sarkar{at}aesop.rutgers.edu
3 Abbreviations used in this paper: ZT, Zeitgeber time; SCN, suprachiasmatic nucleus; CRE, cAMP response element.
Received for publication December 30, 2004. Accepted for publication March 23, 2005.
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