Exercise-induced redistribution of T lymphocytes is regulated by adrenergic mechanisms

• Published in: Brain, behavior, and immunity Vol. 22; no. 3; pp. 324 - 338
• Main Authors: Krüger, K, Lechtermann, A, Fobker, M, Völker, K, Mooren, F.C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Inc 01.03.2008
• Subjects: Adrenergic Agonists - pharmacology; Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists - pharmacology; Adrenergic beta-Antagonists - pharmacology; Allergy and Immunology; Animals; Bone Marrow Cells - cytology; Catecholamines; Cell Movement - drug effects; Cell Movement - physiology; Cell trafficking; Epinephrine - pharmacology; Lung - cytology; Lymphocyte Count; Male; Mice; Motor Activity - physiology; Norepinephrine - pharmacology; Peyer's Patches - cytology; Psychiatry; Receptors, Adrenergic - metabolism; Running - physiology; Spleen - cytology; Stress; Swimming - physiology; T-cells; T-Lymphocytes - cytology; T-Lymphocytes - physiology; T-cells; Catecholamines; Cell trafficking; Stress
• ISSN: 0889-1591; 1090-2139
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2007.08.008

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 α- or β-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.