Changes in hepatic circadian genes and liver function caused by sleep deprivation

Abstract Background. Sleep is an essential physiological activity for human beings, while sleep deprivation (SD) has become a public health concern and causes damage to multiple organs. Circadian rhythms generated by endogenous circadian clocks play an important role in human activities and have become one of the hot spots of research in life sciences. However, there is still a lack of studies on the role of circadian genes and liver function after SD. Here we aimed to investigate the changes and relationship of circadian genes and liver function after SD, providing strategies for preventing liver injury caused by SD.Methods. Datasets GSE92913 from Gene expression omnibus (GEO) were used to explore differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Subsequently, Gene oncology (GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) were performed to explore the function of DEGs and differentially expressed circadian genes. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis was employed to identify important circadian genes, with their relationship determined by the Pearson correlation analysis. The transcript level and protein level of circadian genes in liver were verified. Besides, after SD, the expression of circadian genes was investigated. Moreover, CIBERSORT was performed in R software to analyze the immune environment in the liver after SD.Results. The quality of datasets GSE92913 met the criteria for further analysis. Functional analysis on DEGs showed that metabolic process and circadian rhythms in liver were significantly suppressed after SD. MCODE analysis obtained 16 most important circadian genes, most of which shared a high correlation. Seven kinds of immune cells changed after SD, such as CD4 naïve T cells and M2 macrophages. Six circadian genes exhibited a relationship with immune cells. Finally, DEGs based on Cry1, one of the most important circadian genes, showed an association with metabolic function and circadian rhythms.Conclusions. Liver metabolism and circadian rhythms are impaired after SD. Disorder of circadian genes is a factor in suppressing metabolism after SD. Also, six circadian genes play crucial roles in the immune environment. These findings provide potential strategies for the treatment of liver injury after SD.