Journal article

Publication year: 2008

Pages: 324-338

Journal: Brain, Behavior, and Immunity

Volume number: 22

Issue number: 3

ISSN: 0889-1591

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbi.2007.08.008

Publisher: Elsevier

Abstract: 

Acute exercise is known for causing considerable changes in leukocyte counts and function. In this paper we report that differentiated changes in T-lymphocyte distribution occur in lymphoid and non-lymphoid organs depending on the type and the intensity of exercise. Using fluorescent cell tracking we observed a release of T-cells from the spleen while lung, bone marrow and Peyer's patches served as target organs. The number of T-cells in the blood rose after intensive running while lymphopenia occurred after swimming exercise. Changes in number of labelled T-cells were neither found in the lymph nodes nor in the thymus regardless of exercise protocol. Following an alpha- or beta-blockade, the exercise-induced release of T-cells from the spleen and the accumulation of T-cells in the lung were inhibited while the enhancement of T-cells in the Peyer's patches was not affected. The administration of epinephrine partially mimicked the effects of exercise and resulted in a release of T-cells from both, the spleen and the liver, as well as in an increase of circulating blood T-cells.

In conclusion, exercise induces a substantial re-distribution of T-cells within lymphoid and non-lymphoid organs. The migrating properties of T-cells could be partially explained by adrenergic mechanisms associated with exercise while the involvement of certain homing receptors remains to be shown. Our results suggest that the accumulation of T-cells in both, lung and Peyer's patches, may enhance the immune vigilance in these compartments which serve as the body's major defence barriers.

Harvard Citation style: Krüger, K., Lechtermann, A., Fobker, M., Völker, K. and Mooren, F. (2008) Exercise-induced redistribution of T lymphocytes is regulated by adrenergic mechanisms, Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 22(3), pp. 324-338. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbi.2007.08.008

APA Citation style: Krüger, K., Lechtermann, A., Fobker, M., Völker, K., & Mooren, F. (2008). Exercise-induced redistribution of T lymphocytes is regulated by adrenergic mechanisms. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity. 22(3), 324-338. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbi.2007.08.008