Regulation of MAC-1 (CD11b/CD18) expression on circulating granulocytes in endurance runners.
OBJECTIVE
We tested the hypothesis that degranulation of granulocytes and upregulation of the granulocyte integrin MA-1 (CD11b/CD18) are related to exercise duration and/or intensity. We also investigated whether or not the expression of MAC-1 would be influenced by body temperature or dehydration. Moreover, we tested the hypothesis that changes in leukocyte counts and changes in MAC1 expression with endurance exercise are independently regulated.


METHODS
In eight amateur runners, MAC-1 (CD11b/CD18) surface expression on granulocytes was determined by fluorescent antibody cell sorting, before and after an incremental maximal treadmill test, a moderate 3-h run, and a competitive marathon race.


RESULTS
Expression CD11b on granulocytes was increased by 10+/-9.6% (P < 0.05) after the maximal treadmill test and by 84+/-76% (P < 0.01) after the marathon run. There was no change in CD11b expression after the moderate 3-h run. CD18 expression was not significantly changed after any of the exercise protocols.


CONCLUSIONS
Expression of CD11b on granulocytes is increased with intense endurance exercise, either incremental maximal treadmill testing or competitive marathon running, but not in moderate endurance training. Thus, exhaustive exercise may be one mechanism for the upregulation of integrin adhesive receptors on granulocytes. This phenomenon could be in part responsible for increased adhesion of granulocytes to endothelial cells and could facilitate tissue infiltration after endurance exercise.
Jordan
J
J
Franz Volhard Clinic at the Max Delbrück Centrum for Molecular Medicine, Virchow Klinikum, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany. jordan@fvk-berlin.de
Beneke
R
R
Hütler
M
M
Veith
A
A
Luft
F C
FC
Haller
H
H
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D018821:CD18 Antigens / Q000378:metabolism*; D005080:Exercise Test; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006098:Granulocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D016177:Macrophage-1 Antigen / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies
D018821:CD18 Antigens; D016177:Macrophage-1 Antigen