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An ultra-endurance event leads to changes in circulating regulatory T-cells, CD4+ naïve and CD8+ effector memory T-cells in the 48 h post-race recovery period

Lithgow, Hannah; Gibson, Laura; Wilson, Russell; Guthrie, Neil; Ingram-Sills, Lesley; Clifford, Tom; Ross, Mark

Authors

Hannah Lithgow

Laura Gibson

Russell Wilson

Tom Clifford

Mark Ross



Abstract

Purpose: Exercise is known to acutely affect T-lymphocyte populations in the peripheral blood, which is intensity- and duration-dependent. However, effects of longer duration endurance exercise (>5 h) on T-cells in the days following are unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the circulating T-cell changes that occur in response to an ultra-endurance event, which may provide insight into the inflammatory response to ultra-endurance exercise. Methods: Ten individuals (m = 7, f = 3) completing an Ironman 70.3 event volunteered for the study. Peripheral blood samples were taken 1–2 days pre-race (PRE-RACE), and 1 day (RACE + 1) and 2 days (RACE + 2) post-race, with circulating T-cells enumerated by flow cytometry (total CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells, regulatory T-cells [CD4+CD25+CD127−; TREG], naïve [CD27+CD45RA+; NA], central memory [CD27+CD45RA−; CM], effector memory [CD27−CD45RA−; EM], and effector memory CD45RA+ [CD27−CD45RA+; EMRA]). Results: There were no changes in total CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells. TREG RACE + 1 was significantly higher compared to PRE-RACE, as were the proportion of CD4+ NA cells and CD8+ CM cells at RACE + 2; CD8+ EM cells fell at RACE + 2 (absolute counts and proportion). Conclusion: In conclusion, the ultra-endurance event evoked T-cell changes over the 48 h recovery period, with an increase in T-cells that regulate the immune response, and a reduction in circulating EM T-cells, most likely trafficked to sites of tissue damage and inflammation.

Citation

Lithgow, H., Gibson, L., Wilson, R., Guthrie, N., Ingram-Sills, L., Clifford, T., & Ross, M. (2025). An ultra-endurance event leads to changes in circulating regulatory T-cells, CD4+ naïve and CD8+ effector memory T-cells in the 48 h post-race recovery period. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 125(4), 1129-1138. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-024-05677-y

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Nov 21, 2024
Online Publication Date Nov 27, 2024
Publication Date Apr 1, 2025
Deposit Date Nov 28, 2024
Publicly Available Date Nov 29, 2024
Journal European Journal of Applied Physiology
Print ISSN 1439-6319
Electronic ISSN 1439-6327
Publisher Springer
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 125
Issue 4
Pages 1129-1138
DOI https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-024-05677-y
Keywords Adaptive immunity, T-cells, Endurance, Exercise, Lymphocytes
Public URL http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/3970357
This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:

SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-Being

Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

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