Leucocyte Subset Redistribution in a Human Model of Physical Stress

Abstract

This study has investigated, under controlled conditions, peripheral mononuclear cells (PMNC) subset redistribution in a human experimental stress model consisting of cycloergometer activity in healthy male volunteers exposed to a stressful stimulus. After stressful stimuli, leucocyte subpopulations undergo a stereotyped redistribution peculiar for each PMNC cytotype. PMNC subpopulations involved to a greater extent were natural killer (NK) cells and lymphocytes T "memory" cells. The post-stress period was characterized by a decrease of the NK subpopulation. Our findings confirm the view of a sensible functional reduction of immunocompetence in stress conditions. This brings to the opening, even if for a short time, an "immunological window." This window remains open throughout the time of the stimulus, probably representing the basis of the progressive reduction of the competency of immune system. Catecholamines support the acute effects of stress influencing the anatomical redistribution of lymphocyte subpopulation and intermediating acute effects on PMNC. Cortisol, acting for longer time, contributes to create and maintain both the neutrocytosis and lymphopenia in the post-stress period following lymphocytosis.

Antioxidant Endogenous Defense in a Human Model of Physical Stress

“…Exclusion criteria were acute (at the moment of the investigation) or chronic infections, allergy, acute (at the moment of the investigation) or chronic use of medicines, tobacco use, known hypersensitivity, or allergy to pharmacological agents including non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSADs). Before being admitted to the exercise phase of the investigation, volunteers' maximum oxygen consumption (VO 2 max ) was assessed as detailed in a previous study of our group (18).…”

Natural killer cells promote immune tolerance by regulating inflammatory TH17 cells at the human maternal–fetal interface

“…Recent evidence has also shown that decidual NK (dNK) cells play a key role in controlling trophoblast invasion and vascular remodeling (33,34). Although NK cells are an important cell type within the innate immune system and also act as sentinel cells in other models (35)(36)(37), their exact function at the maternal-fetal interface remains incompletely defined. Recent studies have reported that CD27, which belongs to the TNF receptor family, is an important marker in distinguishing different subsets of NK cells (38,39).…”

Passing the anaerobic threshold is associated with substantial changes in the gene expression profile in white blood cells

“…Significant physical exercise usually results in pronounced changes in blood cell composition: it increases the number of circulating mononuclear cells (lymphocytes, monocytes), and granulocytes and changes the ratio of lymphocytic subpopulations (Mignini et al 2008;Timmons et al 2008). Specific cell types such as NK-and T cells are known to be preferentially mobilized in the blood after acute exercise (Gleeson et al 2006;Maltseva et al 2011;Mooren et al 2002).…”