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Effects of an exercise challenge on mobilization and surface marker expression of monocyte subsets in individuals
1Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, USA.
Insights
Exercise mobilizes distinct monocyte subsets, particularly CD16-expressing ones, in healthy and high blood pressure individuals. Elevated blood pressure may influence monocyte responses to physical activity.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Exercise Science
Background:
- High blood pressure (hypertension) and monocyte activation are linked to atherosclerosis.
- CD16-expressing monocytes are implicated in inflammatory conditions, but their role in hypertension is unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare CD16-expressing monocyte subsets and their surface marker expression in response to exercise between individuals with elevated blood pressure (EBP) and normal blood pressure (NBP).
Main Methods:
- Flow cytometry was used to analyze monocyte subsets (CD16++, CD16+, CD16-) and their expression of cellular adhesion molecules (CAMs), chemokine receptors, and activation markers.
- 44 participants (EBP or NBP) underwent a moderate treadmill exercise bout.
- Blood samples were collected pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 10 minutes post-exercise.
Main Results:
- Exercise increased circulating numbers of all monocyte subsets, with the largest percentage increase in CD16(+)CD14(++).
- The percentages of CD16(++)CD14(+) and CD16(+)CD14(++) monocytes increased, while CD16(-)CD14(++) decreased post-exercise.
- Exercise induced differential changes in CAMs, chemokine receptors, and activation markers across monocyte subsets.
- Individuals with EBP showed greater post-exercise changes in CD62L and CXCR2 compared to NBP individuals.
Conclusions:
- Exercise differentially mobilizes monocyte subsets based on CD16 expression.
- Elevated blood pressure may be associated with heightened monocyte receptor responses to physical exertion, though clinical significance requires further investigation.
Abstract:
High blood pressure (BP) and monocyte activation are associated with atherogenic processes. Especially, CD16 expressing monocytes are shown to be activated in many inflammatory conditions but their characteristics in hypertension is unknown. We compared CD16(++), CD16(+) and CD16(-) monocyte populations and their cellular adhesion molecule (CAM), chemokine receptor, and activation marker expression in response to a moderate 20-min treadmill exercise bout at 65-70% V O(2peak) in 44 participants with elevated (EBP) or normal BP (NBP). Blood was drawn before, immediately after, and 10min after exercise. Phenotyping of monocytes and detection of surface markers were done by flow cytometry. Monocyte subset by exercise [pre, post, 10-min post] repeated measures ANOVA and group [EBP vs. NBP] by exercise repeated measures of ANCOVA with age, BMI, and fitness as covariates were employed. Circulating numbers of all the three monocyte subsets increased after exercise (p<0.001), with the largest % increase for CD16(+)CD14(++). Percents of CD16(++)CD14(+) and CD16(+)CD14(++) increased, whereas % CD16(-)CD14(++) decreased (p<0.001). Also, pre to post exercise changes in CD62L, CD11b, CXCR2, and HLA-DR expression were different among the monocyte subsets (p's<0.001). BP status did not significantly affect monocyte subset trafficking, although post-exercise changes in CD62L and CXCR2 levels were greater in EBP individuals (p<0.05). We conclude that exercise leads to a different mobilization among monocyte subsets based on CD16 expression. Individuals with high BP showed greater responses to a physical challenge in some monocyte chemokine receptors and selectins, but its clinical implications need further examination.
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