Acute psychological stress and exercise and changes in peripheral leukocyte adhesion molecule expression and density.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined the effects of acute psychological stress and exhaustive exercise on the expression and density of adhesion molecules (L-selectin, lymphocyte function antigen-1 [LFA-1], and intracellular adhesion molecule-1 [ICAM-1]) on monocytes, granulocytes, and lymphocytes.


METHODS
Forty-five healthy volunteers performed a 15-minute public speaking task and a 15- to 18-minute bicycle ergometer challenge.


RESULTS
In general, both the exercise and speaking tasks led to increases in the number of circulating leukocytes and lymphocyte subsets. The density of L-selectin (CD62L) on mixed lymphocytes and T lymphocytes was decreased in response to exercise (p values < .001). Both stressors led to an increased density of LFA-1 (CD11a) on mixed lymphocytes (p values < .01), whereas CD11a density on monocytes and granulocytes remained unchanged. ICAM-1 (CD54) density was unaffected, but the number of lymphocytes, monocytes, and granulocytes expressing CD54 increased in the circulation on both stressors.


CONCLUSIONS
The data indicate that both psychological stress and exercise have significant effects on cellular expression of adhesion molecules on circulating leukocytes. Given the crucial role that adhesion molecules on circulating cells play in inflammation and disease, these findings may have clinical relevance in sympathetic nervous system-induced immune activation.
Goebel
M U
MU
Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, USA. marion.goebel@uni-essen.de
Mills
P J
PJ
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000276:immunology; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000378:metabolism*; D015444:Exercise; D006801:Humans; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D016169:Lymphocyte Function-Associated Antigen-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D012016:Reference Values; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D015703:Antigens, CD; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D016169:Lymphocyte Function-Associated Antigen-1; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1