ANNALS OF THE NEW YORK ACADEMY OF SCIENCES

Effects of sleep and circadian rhythm on the human immune system

  1. Tanja Lange1,2,
  2. Stoyan Dimitrov3,
  3. Jan Born1

Article first published online: 13 APR 2010

DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.05300.x

Issue

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences

Additional Information

How to Cite

Lange, T., Dimitrov, S. and Born, J. (2010), Effects of sleep and circadian rhythm on the human immune system. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1193: 48–59. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.05300.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Neuroendocrinology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.

  2. 2

    Department of Internal Medicine, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.

  3. 3

    Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA

*Address for correspondence: Tanja Lange, Department of Neuroendocrinology, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, Haus 23a, 23538, Lübeck, Germany. lange@kfg.uni-luebeck.de

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 13 APR 2010
  2. Article first published online: 13 APR 2010

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Keywords:

  • sleep;
  • circadian rhythm;
  • immune system;
  • human;
  • cytokines;
  • leukocytes;
  • prolactin;
  • growth hormone;
  • cortisol;
  • hormones;
  • vaccination;
  • immune response

Many immune parameters show systematic fluctuations over the 24-h day in human blood. Circulating naive T-cells and production of proinflammatory cytokines, like interleukin-12 (IL-12), peak during nighttime, whereas cytotoxic effector leukocytes and production of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 peak during daytime. These temporal changes originate from a combined influence of the circadian system and sleep. Both brain functions act synergistically and share neuroendocrine effector mechanisms to convey control over immune functions. Sympathetic tone and cortisol levels show a circadian nadir during nighttime and are further suppressed by sleep, whereas growth hormone and prolactin show a circadian peak during nighttime and are further enhanced by sleep. Thus, the circadian system and sleep jointly evoke a unique endocrine constellation that is extremely effective in inducing changes in leukocyte traffic and a shift toward proinflammatory type 1-cytokines during the nocturnal period of sleep, that is, an action with strong clinical implications.

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