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Updated: Jul 2, 2025
Quantification of Monocyte Chemotactic Activity In Vivo and Characterization of Blood Monocyte Derived Macrophages
Published on: August 12, 2019
Impact of physical activity on monocyte subset CCR2 expression and macrophage polarization following moderate
Anson M Blanks1, Thomas T Wagamon1, Lindsay Lafratta1
1Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences, College of Humanities and Sciences, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States.
Abstract:
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is an immune-mediated disease in which CCR2 attracts classical, intermediate, and non-classical monocytes to the arterial intima where they differentiate to macrophages. Balance between pro-inflammatory M1 and anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages contributes to CAD prevention. Moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) elicits an immune response and reduces the incidence of CAD, however, the impact of prior MVPA on monocyte subset CCR2 expression and macrophage polarization following acute exercise is unknown.
Purpose:
To determine the impact of physical activity status on monocyte subset CCR2 surface expression and macrophage polarization in response to an acute bout of moderate intensity cycle ergometry.
Methods:
24 healthy women and men (12 high physically active [HIACT]: ≥1500 METmin/wk MVPA & 12 low physically active [LOACT]: <600 METmin/wk MVPA) underwent an acute moderate intensity (60% VO2peak) bout of cycle ergometry for 30 min. Blood samples were collected prior to (PRE), immediately (POST), 1 h (1H), and 2 h (2H) following exercise. Monocyte CCR2 and macrophage CD86 (M1) and CD206 (M2) were analyzed by flow cytometry.
Results:
Intermediate monocyte CCR2 decreased in response to exercise in the HIACT group (PRE: 11409.0 ± 1084.0 vs. POST: 9524.3 ± 1062.4; p = 0.034). Macrophage CD206 was lower in the LOACT compared to the HIACT group at 1H (HIACT: 67.2 ± 5.6 vs. LOACT: 50.1 ± 5.2%; p = 0.040). Macrophage CD206 at 1H was associated with both PRE (r = 0.446, p = 0.043) and POST (r = 0.464, p = 0.034) non-classical monocyte CCR2.
Conclusion:
These data suggest that regular moderate to vigorous physical activity positively impacts both monocytes and macrophages following acute moderate intensity exercise and that this impact may contribute to the prevention of coronary artery disease.
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