Circadian rhythms, Neuroinflammation and Oxidative Stress in the Story of Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is one of the main neurodegenerative disease characterized by a progressive degeneration of neurons constituted by dopamine in the substantia nigra pars compacta. The etiologies of PD remain unclear. Aging is the main risk factor for PD. Aging could dysregulate molecular pathways controlling cell homeostatic mechanisms. PD cells are the sites of several metabolic abnormalities including neuroinflammation and oxidative stress. Metabolic structures are driven by circadian rhythms. Biologic rhythms are complex systems interacting with the environment and controlling several physiological pathways. Recent findings have shown that the dysregulation of the circadian rhythms is correlated with PD and its metabolic dysregulations. This review is focused on the key role of circadian rhythms and their impact on neuroinflammation and oxidative stress in Parkinson’s disease.


Introduction
Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the main neurodegenerative diseases (ND) characterized by a progressive degeneration of neurons constituted by dopamine in the substantia nigra pars compacta. PD is triggered in the brainstem or in the spinal cord of patients who stay asymptomatic for a long time [1,2]. The etiologies of PD remain unclear but the presence of Lewy bodies (clumps of alpha-synuclein and ubiquitin proteins in neurons which are detectable in post-mortem brain histology) has been shown. PD is marked by tremor symptom, rigidity, bradykinesia, and postural instability. These symptoms occur only when the main part of dopaminergic (DAergic) cells is lost in the substantia nigra pars compacta, which means that the smooth, coordinated regulation of striatal motor circuits is also lost [3]. Depression or rapid eye movement (REM)-associated sleep behavior disorder (RBD) are non-motor symptoms that could precede the onset of pathology.
Aging is the main risk factor for NDs. Aging could dysregulate molecular pathways controlling cell homeostatic mechanisms. Neurodegenerative cells are the sites of several metabolic abnormalities [4]. Numerous metabolic mechanisms can induce and initiate neurodegenerative mechanisms. PD shows a metabolic remodeling entailing increased oxidative stress and neuroinflammation [5,6]. Metabolic structures are driven by circadian rhythms (CRs) [7][8][9][10]. CRs are directly implicated in the regulation of the metabolic pathways observed in neurodegenerative disease and especially in PD [11,12]. Metabolic dysregulation observed in PD is the consequence of an energy metabolism reprogramming induced pacemaker synchronizes oscillators to other tissues by using circadian input pathways from the nervous system to peripheral cell systems. Moreover, to maintain the entrainment of these peripheral oscillators by the environment, this central system ensures that cellular oscillations within tissues are properly in phase to provide resonance between individual cellular rhythms [23]. Melatonin operates as a synchronizer in humans and provides temporal feedback to oscillators within the nervous system to control the circadian phase and the stability of the rhythm [24]. In humans, as in other mammals, melatonin is considered as the main influencer of CRs through its action on receptors in the nervous system [25].

Circadian Clock
Some biological mechanisms in humans (such as metabolic pathways, lipid and glycose homeostasis, and autophagy) are controlled by the circadian "clock" (circadian locomotor output cycle kaput) ( Figure 1). The circadian clock is present in the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). CRs are endogenous and have entrainable free-running 24 h periods. Numerous transcription factors can act on the CRs. These factors are called circadian locomotor output cycle kaput (Clock), brain and muscle aryl-hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator-like 1 (Bmal1), Period 1 (Per1), Period 2 (Per2), Period 3 (Per3), and Cryptochrome (Cry 1 and Cry 2) [26,27]. These factors are controlled by positive and negative self-loop-regulation modulated by CRs [15,28]. Clock and Bmal1 heterodimerize leading to the transcription of Per1, Per2, Cry1 and Cry2 [29]. The Per/Cry heterodimer downregulates its stimulation through a negative feedback. This heterodimer translocates back to the nucleus to directly inhibit the Clock/Bmal1 complex and then to downregulate its transcription [29]. The Clock/Bmal1 complex stimulates the transcription of retinoic acid-related orphan nuclear receptors, Rev-Erb and retinoid-related orphan receptors (RORs). Through a positive feedback loop, RORs activate the transcription of Bmal1, whereas through a negative feedback loop, Rev-Erb downregulates its transcription [29]. Circadian clock genes. The clock process is a stimulatory circle, involving the Bmal1/Clock heterodimer which activates the transcription of Period (Per) and Cryptochrome (Cry) genes, and the inhibitory feedback circle with the Per/Cry heterodimer which translocates to the nucleus and which represses the transcription of the Clock and Bmal1 genes. An additional circle implicates the retinoidrelated orphan receptors (RORs) and Rev-Erb factors with a positive feedback by RORs and a negative feedback by Rev-Erb.

CRs in PD
Many studies have observed that the core clock mechanism is present in neurons and astrocytes [30,31]. Circadian dysregulation can occur in aging pathogenesis, cancers, and chronic diseases [32][33][34]. Aging is characterized by some modifications in the circadian system [12]. Aging is marked by  Figure 1. Circadian clock genes. The clock process is a stimulatory circle, involving the Bmal1/Clock heterodimer which activates the transcription of Period (Per) and Cryptochrome (Cry) genes, and the inhibitory feedback circle with the Per/Cry heterodimer which translocates to the nucleus and which represses the transcription of the Clock and Bmal1 genes. An additional circle implicates the retinoid-related orphan receptors (RORs) and Rev-Erb factors with a positive feedback by RORs and a negative feedback by Rev-Erb.

CRs in PD
Many studies have observed that the core clock mechanism is present in neurons and astrocytes [30,31]. Circadian dysregulation can occur in aging pathogenesis, cancers, and chronic diseases [32][33][34]. Aging is characterized by some modifications in the circadian system [12]. Aging is marked by changes in circadian rhythmicity, reducing amplitude, increasing intra-daily variability, and decreasing inter-daily stability of CRs ( Figure 2) [35][36][37].  Many studies have highlighted an association between CRs and PD (Table 1) [38][39][40]. PD patients present low levels of peak activity and amplitude of the rest-activity cycle [12]. The observed increase of physical activity and the reduction of immobility periods during the night leads to activity of the diurnal motor without oscillations [12].
In parallel, dopamine can regulate the rhythmicity of Per2 expression [41,42]. Striatal dopamine controls the Bmal1/Clock heterodimer expression [43] in a receptor-dependent manner [44]. TH (tyrosine hydroxylase), the enzyme responsible for the synthesis of dopamine, and the dopaminergic receptors show daily fluctuations [45].
CRs increase the PD neuropathology [46] although PD presents a day-to-day progression in the deterioration of the motor function [47,48]. A circadian fluctuation in PD can explain the deregulation in motor and visual performance [49]. Altered blood pressure and heart rate are common in PD. High blood pressure and heart rate have been observed under the light phase and low blood pressure has been shown during the dark phase [50]. During the day, the sympathetic activity of PD patients decreases in association with a loss of circadian rhythmicity of heart rate variability and with the lower melatonin sympathetic morning peak [51]. In PD, the elevation of cortisol and the diminution of melatonin are correlated with the alteration of the Bmal1 expression [52]. Cry1 and Per1 levels are diminished in the PD rotenone model [53], while melatonin administration can restore the level of Per1 but not Cry1 and Bmal1 levels [53]. CR systems can modulate the hypothalamic-pituitaryadrenal (HPA) axis and can restore it by promoting the dopamine function [54]. CRs are regulated by dopamine at the behavioral levels [55]. Decreased levels of Per2 in dorsal striatum of rats have been observed with the diminution of dopamine by 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) [41]. The Many studies have highlighted an association between CRs and PD (Table 1) [38][39][40]. PD patients present low levels of peak activity and amplitude of the rest-activity cycle [12]. The observed increase of physical activity and the reduction of immobility periods during the night leads to activity of the diurnal motor without oscillations [12].
In parallel, dopamine can regulate the rhythmicity of Per2 expression [41,42]. Striatal dopamine controls the Bmal1/Clock heterodimer expression [43] in a receptor-dependent manner [44]. TH (tyrosine hydroxylase), the enzyme responsible for the synthesis of dopamine, and the dopaminergic receptors show daily fluctuations [45].
CRs increase the PD neuropathology [46] although PD presents a day-to-day progression in the deterioration of the motor function [47,48]. A circadian fluctuation in PD can explain the deregulation in motor and visual performance [49]. Altered blood pressure and heart rate are common in PD. High blood pressure and heart rate have been observed under the light phase and low blood pressure has been shown during the dark phase [50]. During the day, the sympathetic activity of PD patients decreases in association with a loss of circadian rhythmicity of heart rate variability and with the lower melatonin sympathetic morning peak [51]. In PD, the elevation of cortisol and the diminution of melatonin are correlated with the alteration of the Bmal1 expression [52]. Cry1 and Per1 levels are diminished in the PD rotenone model [53], while melatonin administration can restore the level of Per1 but not Cry1 and Bmal1 levels [53]. CR systems can modulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and can restore it by promoting the dopamine function [54]. CRs are regulated by dopamine at the behavioral levels [55]. Decreased levels of Per2 in dorsal striatum of rats have been observed with the diminution of dopamine by 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) [41]. The activation of D2 receptors in the dopamine-depleted striatum leads to the restoration of Per2 activity [56]. During the dark span of PD, Bmal1 expression is decreased and its expression is associated with the severity of the disease [57]. In PD, alteration of the Bmal1 levels are correlated with dopamine diminution [43,52]. Dopamine diminution can affect the central compound of the molecular clock and circadian disruption, which leads to the acceleration of PD progression [58].

Oxidative stress in PD
Many studies have shown the increase of oxidative stress in PD [80]. Mitochondrial dysregulation have been observed in PD through the increased production and release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) [81]. Mitochondrial depletion leads to cell damage and death by the diminution of energy production through the enhancement of oxidative stress [82]. Oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysregulation lead to cell death and dementia [83][84][85]. The initiation of PD is correlated with oxidative stress enhancement [5]. Inhibition of the respiratory chain activity in substantia nigra pars compacta of PD is associated with the increase of ROS production and the induction of apoptosis [81,86,87] ( Figure 3). oxygen species (ROS) [81]. Mitochondrial depletion leads to cell damage and death by the diminution of energy production through the enhancement of oxidative stress [82]. Oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysregulation lead to cell death and dementia [83][84][85]. The initiation of PD is correlated with oxidative stress enhancement [5]. Inhibition of the respiratory chain activity in substantia nigra pars compacta of PD is associated with the increase of ROS production and the induction of apoptosis [81,86,87] (Figure 3). The human body generates free radicals of oxygen for oxidative metabolism. During aerobic respiration, molecular oxygen (O2) is reduced to water molecules in each mitochondrion. By this mechanism, O2, H2O2, and OH are produced by a leakage of oxygen [6]. Phagocytic cells, during infections, can generate high levels of NO, O2, and H2O2 to defend the body and thus to reduce infection. But, these produced radicals can also destroy the body cells [88].
Some enzymes, including monoamine oxidase (MAO), L-amino acid oxidase, and tyrosine hydroxylase, are involved in dopamine metabolism and in the production of ROS [89]. In parallel, inflammation is considered another source of ROS production. Nevertheless, many pathways can confluence with ROS. In microglia, the aggregation of ROS-induced proteins can induce inflammation [90]. Four mechanisms involved in PD are correlated with inflammation and ROS: the The human body generates free radicals of oxygen for oxidative metabolism. During aerobic respiration, molecular oxygen (O 2 ) is reduced to water molecules in each mitochondrion. By this mechanism, O 2 , H 2 O 2, and OH are produced by a leakage of oxygen [6]. Phagocytic cells, during infections, can generate high levels of NO, O 2, and H 2 O 2 to defend the body and thus to reduce infection. But, these produced radicals can also destroy the body cells [88].
Some enzymes, including monoamine oxidase (MAO), L-amino acid oxidase, and tyrosine hydroxylase, are involved in dopamine metabolism and in the production of ROS [89]. In parallel, inflammation is considered another source of ROS production. Nevertheless, many pathways can confluence with ROS. In microglia, the aggregation of ROS-induced proteins can induce inflammation [90]. Four mechanisms involved in PD are correlated with inflammation and ROS: the increase of iron levels, the decrease of glutathione (GSH) levels, the reduction of 26S proteasomal activity, and the impairment of mitochondrial complex I regulation [91,92]. In the physiological step, MAO produces H 2 O 2 . In PD, H 2 O 2 is transformed in hydroxyl radicals (OH) by iron via the Fenton's reactions. Thus, H 2 O 2 and OH produce ROS [93]. GSH is oxidized by H 2 O 2 and OH in the cytoplasm [94] leading to GSH leakage in PD. The leakage of GSH molecules leads to the conversion of glutamate and cysteine into glutamyl peptides and cysteinyl peptides. These peptides are toxic for dopaminergic cells by crossing the cellular membrane and by activating ROS into dopaminergic neurons. These peptides downregulate the activity of complex I of the mitochondria leading to ROS production and enhancement of oxidative stress [95]. Dopaminergic (DAergic) cells cannot repair misfolded proteins in PD due to the impairment of the proteasome [96]. Oxidative stress enhances the carbonylation of proteins, which is an irreversible and unrepairable modification. Carbonylation is a phenotype of cellular senescence leading to the aggregation of proteins. Protein aggregation is one of the major pathological features of nigrostriatal DAergic neurons in PD. These aggregated proteins induce neuroinflammation and oxidative stress [97].

CRs and Oxidative Stress
Several studies in both animals and plants have shown that the production of ROS and anti-oxidants is temporally regulated by CRs [98,99]. The diminution of the expression of Bmal1 is associated with the mitochondrial dysfunction leading to the increase of ROS in organs [100]. Moreover, mitochondrial dysregulation and oxidative stress have been involved in age-related diseases [101].
In Drosophila, dysregulation of Per implicates circadian oscillations in the deregulation of oxidative stress marker levels [102]. Per inhibition enhances oxidative injury and shortens lifespan [103,104]. Flies with carbonyl reductase mutation present Per deletion, accelerating neurodegeneration and causing neural oxidative injuries [103]. Oxidative damages in the cortex and neurodegeneration are correlated with Bmal1 depletion [105]. In the brain, Bmal1 can control the transcription of numerous redox defense genes, such as Nqo1 and Aldh2 [105]. Nqo1 encodes NADPH dehydrogenase, a critical redox defense enzyme and Aldh2 activates aldehydes during mitochondrial respiration to prevent oxidative damages and degeneration [106].

Inflammation in PD
Inflammation is one of the major cause of PD. Research studies have shown that inflammation plays a major role in PD (Table 1, Figure 3) [59]. Inflammation leads to activation of the apoptosis pathways in dopaminergic cell during PD development [107,108]. The correlation between inflammation and PD is mutual; inflammation leads to death of dopaminergic cells but DAergic cell death can stimulate, in a vicious feedback, inflammation [109]. Additionally, the relationship between Parkinson's disease and inflammation is mutual; while inflammation leads to dopaminergic cells death, DAergic cell death can develop or augment inflammation, that is inflammation is both cause and effect in the story of DAergic cell death [109]. Moreover, inflammatory factors induce oxidative stress, which force DAergic cells to activate death signals [110]. Some inflammatory activators have a main role in PD [111]. The stimulation of microglia leads to the activation of their pro-inflammatory enzymes (such as inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase) and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines (such as C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1β [112]. The NF-kB pathway has a major role in the production of these proinflammatory enzymes and cytokines in microglia [113]. TNF-α leads to apoptosis by TNF-R1 receptor death domain activating the caspases 1 and 3 [60]. TNF-α also downregulates c-Rel-NF-kB. c-Rel-NF-kB presents a neuroprotective role through the inhibition of apoptosis via B-cell lymphoma-extra-large pathway in dopaminergic neurons [113]. High-levels of CXCR4 (called fusin) expression and its ligand CXCL12 have been shown in PD. The complex formed by CXCR4-CXCL12 activates caspase 3, which leads to neural cell death via apoptosis [61,114]. The complex of IFN-γ-IFNGR signaling phosphorylates leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) protein [62]. LRRK2 interacts with numerous cell processes in microglia and dopaminergic neurons. Activated LRRK2 protein inhibits the expression of c-Rel-NF-kB. Thus, inflammation is increased by the insufficiency of c-Rel-NF-kB [63,64]. LRRK2 activation is responsible for the formation of tau oligomers, which activate cell death signals [115,116]. LRRK2 controls some vesicles trafficking in cells and its overexpression is associated with the augmentation of inflammatory cytokines [117].

CRs and Inflammation
Some diurnal variations have been shown in Ly6Chi monocytes, which are the main line of defense against infection ( Figure 2, Table 1) [65]. Bmal1 can act as an anti-inflammatory factor by inhibiting CCL2 expression. CCL2 is a chemokine which stimulates monocyte recruitment to the infection site by binding to the E-box present on the Ccl2 gene promoter region. Moreover, Bmal1 possesses two microRNA-binding sites in its 3 -UTR leading to the dysregulation of clock control and CRs control of inflammation [118]. Deficiency in Bmal1 is associated with high levels of IL-6 in response of lipopolysaccharide stimulation [66]. The Clock gene can acetylate the receptor of glucocorticoid receptors leading to the dysregulation of the immune system [67]. The overstimulation of Clock expression is correlated with phosphorylation and acetylation of p65 leading to the enhancement of transcriptional activity of the NF-κB pathway [68]. Some studies have shown that the dysregulation of the Clock activity is associated with infection [119].
REV-ErBα can inhibit IL-6 expression [66]. In macrophage cells, Rev-Erbα can decrease Ccl2 expression by directly binding to the RORE motif on the promoter region of Ccl2 gene [69]. Moreover, Bmal1 and REV-Erbα can cooperate in the regulation of Ccl2 expression [70]. Bmal1 is responsible for the regulation of RORα which can induce the transcription of IκBα, an inhibitor of NF-κB pathway [71]. Deficiency in Per2 is associated with diurnal variations in IFN-gamma expression leading to the impairment function of natural killer cells [120]. Per2 knockout reduces levels of TNF-α and IL-12 [121]. In macrophages, Per2 mRNA rhythms act as inverse phase to Bmal1 [122]. Per2 is considered as a negative compound of the CR feedback loop and then, can promote inflammation through the inhibition of the complex Bmal1/Clock [123]. Moreover, Per2 can also decrease REV-ErBα function responsible for activation of inflammation response [123]. Deficiency in Cry1 and Cry2 leads to CAMP overproduction and PKA activity (protein kinase A) increasing p65 phosphorylation and NF-κB pathway [124]. Administration of anti-TNF-α is associated with both reduction of inflammation and Cry expression [72].

Melatonin and Oxidative Stress in PD
In PD, few studies have investigated the different effects of melatonin on oxidative stress. Melatonin administration is associated with the increase of superoxide dismutase (SOD), GSH, and mitochondrial complex-I activity in the rat model of PD. In parallel, melatonin administration is correlated with the decrease of OH and the increase of catalase [73]. GSH expression, and GSSG/GSH ratio are increased after melatonin administration in the rat model of PD [74]. Malondialdehyde (MDA) expression, a marker of oxidative stress, is decreased while SOD is increased under melatonin administration in rat model of PD induced by 6-OHDA or by MPTP [75]. In the same way, other models of PD rats induced by rotenone have shown the increase of both GSH and SOD after melatonin administration [76]. In PD, melatonin can decrease the number of degenerating neurons and lipid peroxidation [139]. Recent studies have shown that melatonin is associated with the decrease of oxidative stress in rats of PD induced by MPP(+) [140] and in mice of PD induced by MPTP [141]. Few studies in humans have investigated the role of melatonin on oxidative stress in PD. In PC12 cells, melatonin administration is associated with the protection against the reduction of mRNAs of antioxidant enzymes evoked by 6-OHDA [77], with the reduction of apoptosis and necrosis [78], and with the prevention of mitochondrial dysregulation [79].

Melatonin and Neuroinflammation in PD
Few studies have focused on the effects of melatonin on inflammation in PD. Melatonin administration can prevent the increase of iNOS in PD mice-induced MPTP [142]. iNOS, increased in striatum and substantia nigra of PD, leads to stimulation of nitric oxide production and neuroinflammation in PD [143]. Cells 2020, 9, 314 9 of 15 COX2 is responsible for the involvement of neuroinflammation in PD [143]. COX2 expression is decreased under melatonin administration in PD mice-induced MPTP [141].

Conclusions
Aging is involved in the pathophysiology of PD and dysregulates several molecular pathways controlling cell homeostasis. Metabolic abnormalities have been observed in PD. This review highlights the main role of both inflammation and oxidative stress in PD. These signals operate together to alter the cellular activity in PD. In parallel, CRs can control metabolic structures and thus, can regulate the metabolic pathways involved in PD. A metabolic reprogramming expressed by oxidative stress in concordance with inflammation operates in PD under the control of CRs. Looking for signs of early circadian dysregulation could help to diagnose PD before the onset of known symptoms or could allow the rapid introduction of therapeutic strategies. Melatonin, a major marker of CRs, could be an interesting target in PD therapeutic strategy. However, few studies have focused on the interactions between melatonin with oxidative stress and inflammation in PD. Future clinical trials could be implemented to study the efficacy of melatonin in PD by directly targeting these two signals.
Author Contributions: All authors listed have contributed to the work, and approved it for submitting to publication.
Funding: This research received no external funding.

Conflicts of Interest:
The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationship that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.