Old macrophages lose their (circadian) rhythm

Blacher and colleagues have discovered that the circadian patterns of macrophage gene expression and immune function that exist in young mice are disrupted in aging mice. KLF4 was identified as a key transcription factor (TF) regulating rhythmic expression of immune genes, which is lost in old macrophages. Blacher and colleagues have discovered that the circadian patterns of macrophage gene expression and immune function that exist in young mice are disrupted in aging mice. KLF4 was identified as a key transcription factor (TF) regulating rhythmic expression of immune genes, which is lost in old macrophages.