Exercise acutely increases vitamin D receptor expression in T lymphocytes in vitamin D-deficient men, independent of age

Lithgow, Hannah; Florida‐James, Geraint; Ross, Mark; Duncan, Gary; Leggate, Melanie

Abstract

Vitamin D plays a key role in the modulation of the immune system, mediated through the intracellular vitamin D receptor (VDR). Exercise has been shown to influence the activity and availability of the VDR. This study aimed to investigate the effect of age on basal immune cell (T-lymphocytes) VDR expression and the subsequent effect of acute aerobic exercise to modulate VDR expression in peripheral T-cells. Thirty-five males were included in the study (means ± SD: age 44 ± 17 y, BMI 25.7 ± 3.1 kg·m-2), separated into three age groups: 18-30 y (n=12), 31-45 y (n=11), and 60-75 y (n=12). Participants completed two trials: control (CON) and aerobic exercise (AE), with blood samples collected pre- and post-exercise (0 h, 1h, and 3 h). Peripheral blood T-cells were isolated and analysed for VDR expression by flow cytometry. The results show that advanced age is associated with lower VDR expression in T-cells (882 ± 274 vs 796 ± 243 vs 594 ± 174 geomean). Acute AE was successful at acutely increasing VDR expression in T-cells, irrespective of age. Advanced age corresponds to a lower T cell VDR expression, which may be responsible for age-associated development of chronic conditions and autoimmunity. Exercise was successful in increasing VDR expression in T-cells irrespective of age and independent of exercise-induced T cell mobilisation.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 1, 2021
• Online Publication Date: May 19, 2021
• Publication Date: 2021-07
• Deposit Date: Apr 8, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: May 19, 2021
• Journal: Experimental Physiology
• Print ISSN: 0958-0670
• Electronic ISSN: 1469-445X
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 106
• Issue: 7
• Pages: 1460-1469
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1113/ep089480
• Keywords: Vitamin D, 25(OH)D, Vitamin D receptor (VDR), Exercise, Ageing
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/2759635