Improving understanding of exercise effects on in vitro T-lymphocyte function--the role of fluorescent cell division...

It is now widely accepted that athletes undergoing intensive training and competition schedules are at increased risk of developing upper respiratory tract infections (URTI). T-lymphocytes are central to cell-mediated adaptive immune responses and have been the subject of many studies investigating the relationship between T-lymphocyte function, exercise and athlete health. A decrease in T-lymphocyte function following acute intensive exercise has commonly been described, making them a possible factor contributing to increased illness susceptibility in athlete populations. However, there is much controversy regarding the interpretation of traditional methodology (mitogen-induced proliferation assays) used to assess T-lymphocyte function during and after exercise. Carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester (CFSE) labelling of lymphocyte populations can provide unique insights into cell function at rest and with exercise due to its ability to quantify cell division on an individual cell basis. Using this technique, it has been found that the effect of exercise on T-lymphocyte function is mediated via an increase in lymphocyte apoptosis. This paper discusses some recent data in the context of improving understanding of the exercise effects on in vitro T-lymphocyte function.