University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Graduate School
Doi
Abstract
Purpose: To determine circulating mucosal associated invariant T (MAIT) cell number, frequency and activation and chemokine receptor expression in response to submaximal exercise. Methods: 20 young men performed a VO2max test and then exercised for 40 minutes at 86% of ventilatory threshold (VT). Immune cells were isolated from blood samples obtained at rest and after 0h and 1h of recovery. Results: MAIT cell counts significantly increased by 92% (p=0.003) at 0h before returning to baseline at 1h. MAIT cells were preferentially mobilized, rising from 2.9% of T-cells at baseline to 4.5% at 0h and 4.6% at 1h (p=0.002). MAIT cell chemokine and activation marker expression was not affected by exercise. Conclusion: MAIT cells follow a biphasic response and are preferentially mobilized within the T cell subsets. MAIT cell numbers expressing activation and homing markers following exercise are higher but are driven by the exercise-stimulated lymphocytosis, rather than intrinsic cellular changes.Master of Art
