Potential effects of shift work on skin autoimmune diseases

Abstract

Shift work is associated with systemic chronic inflammation, impaired host and tumor defense and dysregulated immune responses to harmless antigens such as allergens or auto-antigens. Thus, shift workers are at higher risk to develop a systemic autoimmune disease and circadian disruption with sleep impairment seem to be the key underlying mechanisms. Presumably, disturbances of the sleep-wake cycle also drive skin-specific autoimmune diseases, but epidemiological and experimental evidence so far is scarce. This review summarizes the effects of shift work, circadian misalignment, poor sleep, and the effect of potential hormonal mediators such as stress mediators or melatonin on skin barrier functions and on innate and adaptive skin immunity. Human studies as well as animal models were considered. We will also address advantages and potential pitfalls in animal models of shift work, and possible confounders that could drive skin autoimmune diseases in shift workers such as adverse lifestyle habits and psychosocial influences. Finally, we will outline feasible countermeasures that may reduce the risk of systemic and skin autoimmunity in shift workers, as well as treatment options and highlight outstanding questions that should be addressed in future studies.

Circadian Mechanisms in Brain Fluid Biology

“…111 Changes in barrier properties associated with immune cell trafficking are induced by brain and blood cytokines, and even breeches to the gut barrier affect choroid plexus permeability at the endothelium. 112 While immune responses have a wellstudied circadian component, [113][114][115] direct relationships between circadian rhythms, the blood-CSF barrier, and immune cell trafficking remain to be investigated.…”

“Mens Sana in Cute Sana”—A State of the Art of Mutual Etiopathogenetic Influence and Relevant Pathophysiological Pathways between Skin and Mental Disorders: An Integrated Approach to Contemporary Psychopathological Scenarios

“…For example, shift work disrupts the circadian system (which virtually controls all bodily functions), often leading to chronic stress and poor sleep. These in turn trigger the onset of chronic systemic inflammation and autoimmune, infectious, oncological, and allergic skin diseases via impaired innate and acquired immunity [36].…”

Differential Photosensitivity of Fibroblasts Obtained from Normal Skin and Hypertrophic Scar Tissues

“…In vitro studies have shown that dexamethasone (Dex) can reset peripheral circadian rhythms [24]. Interestingly, the local circadian rhythm of skin cells also affects wound healing and the hair cycle [25,26], and the dysregulation of peripheral circadian rhythms has been implicated in various skin disorders [27]. Nevertheless, the underlying photoreceptive mechanisms have not been clarified.…”