Impact of physical activity on monocyte subset CCR2 expression and macrophage polarization following moderate intensity exercise

Abstract

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is an immune-mediated disease in which CCR2 attracts classical, intermediate, and non-classical monocytes to the arterial intima where they differentiate to macrophages. Balance between pro-inflammatory M1 and anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages contributes to CAD prevention. Moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) elicits an immune response and reduces the incidence of CAD, however, the impact of prior MVPA on monocyte subset CCR2 expression and macrophage polarization following acute exercise is unknown. Purpose To determine the impact of physical activity status on monocyte subset CCR2 surface expression and macrophage polarization in response to an acute bout of moderate intensity cycle ergometry. Methods 24 healthy women and men (12 high physically active [HIACT]: ≥1500 METmin/wk MVPA & 12 low physically active [LOACT]: <600 METmin/wk MVPA) underwent an acute moderate intensity (60% VO 2peak ) bout of cycle ergometry for 30 ​min. Blood samples were collected prior to (PRE), immediately (POST), 1 ​h (1H), and 2 ​h (2H) following exercise. Monocyte CCR2 and macrophage CD86 (M1) and CD206 (M2) were analyzed by flow cytometry. Results Intermediate monocyte CCR2 decreased in response to exercise in the HIACT group (PRE: 11409.0 ​± ​1084.0 vs. POST: 9524.3 ​± ​1062.4; p ​= ​0.034). Macrophage CD206 was lower in the LOACT compared to the HIACT group at 1H (HIACT: 67.2 ​± ​5.6 vs. LOACT: 50.1 ​± ​5.2%; p ​= ​0.040). Macrophage CD206 at 1H was associated with both PRE (r ​= ​0.446, p ​= ​0.043) and POST (r ​= ​0.464, p ​= ​0.034) non-classical monocyte CCR2. Conclusion These data suggest that regular moderate to vigorous physical activity positively impacts both monocytes and macrophages following acute moderate intensity exercise and that this impact may contribute to the prevention of coronary artery disease.

The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the physical activity of the Thai population: Evidence from Thailand's Surveillance on Physical Activity 2020

“…It is reasonable to posit that PA can play a significant role in boosting the immune system and relieving stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 Other things being equal, if a person is infected with COVID-19, the physically active person will have less severe symptoms and shorter recovery times and may be less likely to infect others. 13 PA is also beneficial for those who are asymptomatic or experiencing only mild symptoms because it improves the natural immune response to both the influenza and pneumococcal vaccines.…”

Genetic Arguments for the Prevention of Severe Forms of COVID-19 through Moderate-Intensity Exercise

“…Analysis of the effects of exercise on other gene variants responsible for the risk of developing severe forms of COVID-19 may provide additional information on the possibilities of prevention. In high physically active subjects, intermediate monocyte CCR2 decreased in response to moderate intensity exercise (60% of VO2 max, 30 minutes at the cycle ergometer) [16]. The same effect of decreasing CCR2 expression was found in the case of resistance exercises, both high volume and high intensity [17].…”

The Multifaceted Roles of Macrophages in NAFLD Pathogenesis

“… 145 In fact, lifestyle modification has been shown not only to reduce intrahepatic lipid content but even to influence monocyte and macrophage activation positively. 146 , 147 …”