Circulating immune cell populations at rest and in response to acute endurance exercise in young adults with cerebral
Annika Kruse1,2, Ian Imery1,3, Linnéa Corell1
1Department of Women's and Children's Health, Division of Neurology/Pediatric Orthopedics, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Insights
Adults with cerebral palsy (CP) have higher baseline gamma delta T-cells, potentially indicating inflammation. Their CD8+ T-cell response to exercise is blunted, suggesting a need for increased exercise intensity for immune benefits.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Exercise Physiology
- Neurology
Background:
- Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurological disorder affecting motor function.
- Immune system function in adults with CP is not well understood.
- Exercise is known to modulate immune responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare immune status and function in young adults with CP versus typically developing individuals.
- To investigate the impact of exercise on immune cell populations in adults with CP.
Main Methods:
- Observational study comparing 12 adults with CP and 17 typically developing individuals.
- Blood samples analyzed pre- and post-exercise (running).
- Immune cell populations (TCRγδ+, CD8+) and physiological responses (heart rate, exertion) were measured.
Main Results:
- Individuals with CP had significantly higher baseline TCRγδ+ T-cells.
- CD8+ T-cell response to exercise was blunted in adults with CP.
- Adults with CP exhibited lower heart rates during exercise despite similar perceived exertion.
Conclusions:
- Elevated baseline TCRγδ+ T-cells in CP may suggest chronic low-grade inflammation.
- The blunted CD8+ T-cell response to exercise in CP indicates altered immune reactivity.
- Exercise intensity may be a critical factor for eliciting immune responses in individuals with CP.
Aim:
The aim of this observational study was to determine the immune status and function in young adults with cerebral palsy (CP) in comparison to typically developing individuals.
Method:
Blood samples from 12 individuals with CP (five males, seven females; mean age: 25 years 1 month (5 years 9 months); age range: 19-38 years) and 17 typically developing individuals (eight males, nine females; mean age: 31 years 4 months (6 years 2 months); age range: 20-40 years) were collected before, immediately after, and 1 hour after 45 minutes of frame running or running respectively. Independent t-tests were used to compare heart rate, level of exertion, and baseline cell proportions between groups. Mixed model analysis of variance was utilized to investigate immune cell responses to exercise across groups.
Results:
Baseline levels of gamma delta (TCRγδ+) T-cells were significantly higher (absolute percentage: +2.65, p = 0.028) in the individuals with CP. Several cell populations showed similar significant changes after exercise in both CP and typically developing groups. Cytotoxic (CD8+) T-cells were only significantly elevated immediately after exercise in the typically developing participants (p < 0.01). Individuals with CP exhibited significantly lower heart rates (-11.1%, p < 0.01), despite similar ratings of perceived exertion.
Interpretation:
Elevated baseline TCRγδ+ T-cells may indicate low-grade inflammation in adults with CP. Although most of the cell populations showed typical responses to endurance exercise, the absence of response in CD8+ T-cells in individuals with CP may indicate the need for higher intensity during exercise.
What This Paper Adds:
TCRγδ+ T-cell baseline levels are elevated in adults with cerebral palsy (CP). The CD8+ T-cell response to exercise was blunted in adults with CP. Exercise intensity is decisive for CD8+ T-cell responses in individuals with CP.
