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Immunological effects of cerebral palsy and rehabilitation exercises in children
Oleksandra Sharova1, Oleksandr Smiyan1, Thomas Borén2
1Department of Pediatrics, Sumy State University, 40031, Sumy, Ukraine.
Insights
Cerebral palsy (CP) is linked to immune system changes. Rehabilitation exercises in children with CP can decrease immune responses and improve motor function, suggesting a dual benefit for these patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Cerebral palsy (CP) involves motor disorders from brain lesions, impacting innate immunity and rehabilitation outcomes.
- Elevated pro-inflammatory tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a) is associated with poorer rehabilitation in children with CP.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of CP and rehabilitation exercises on the adaptive immune system in children.
- To measure changes in T-cells (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+), B-cells (CD22+), and immunoglobulin levels.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of immune cell and immunoglobulin levels in children with CP versus healthy children.
- Assessment of immune system changes following a one-month rehabilitation exercise program.
Main Results:
- Children with CP exhibited higher levels of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ T-cells, and CD22+ B-cells compared to controls.
- Rehabilitation exercises led to improved motor function gains at an earlier age.
- A month of rehabilitation significantly decreased serum IgA, reduced B-lymphocyte counts, and lowered IgM levels.
Conclusions:
- CP is associated with alterations in adaptive immunity, including increased T-cell and B-cell populations.
- Rehabilitation programs focusing on neuroplasticity and physical exercise can modulate both cellular and humoral immune responses in children with CP.
- These findings suggest that rehabilitation offers a dual benefit by improving motor function and potentially regulating immune dysregulation in CP.
Abstract:
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of motor disorders caused by non-progressive lesions of the premature brain with lifelong pathophysiological consequences that include dysregulation of innate immunity. Persistent inflammation with increased levels of circulating pro-inflammatory tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a) is negatively associated with rehabilitation outcome in children with CP. Because of the crosstalk between innate and adaptive immunity, we investigated the effect of CP and rehabilitation exercises on the adaptive immune system in children with CP by measuring the levels of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ Т-cells, and CD22+ B-cells and the levels of immunoglobulins. Children with CP had higher levels of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ Т-cells, and CD22+ B-cells compared to healthy children, and the rehabilitation exercise programs produced better outcomes in terms of increased gains in motor function at an earlier age. Rehabilitation exercises performed over a month resulted in significantly decreased levels of IgA in serum and reduced numbers of B-lymphocytes and reduced IgM levels. Our study suggests that rehabilitation programs with a focus on neuroplasticity and physical exercises in children with CP can reduce both cellular and humoral immune responses.
