Exercise-induced redistribution of T lymphocytes is regulated by adrenergic mechanisms.
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 alpha- or beta-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.
Krüger
K
K
Institute of Sports Medicine, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany.
Lechtermann
A
A
Fobker
M
M
Völker
K
K
Mooren
F C
FC
D000322:Adrenergic Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000166:cytology; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D008168:Lung / Q000166:cytology; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D010581:Peyer's Patches / Q000166:cytology; D011941:Receptors, Adrenergic / Q000378:metabolism*; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology; D013550:Swimming / Q000502:physiology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*
D000322:Adrenergic Agonists; D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D011941:Receptors, Adrenergic; D009638:Norepinephrine; D004837:Epinephrine