Acute exercise and T-lymphocyte expression of the early activation marker CD69

Unraveling the mechanism of alkaloids from Sophora alopecuroides Linn combined with immune checkpoint blockade in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer based on systems pharmacology

Quinolizidine alkaloids, as essential active ingredients extracted from Sophora alopecuroides Linn (SAL), have been proven to be pharmacologically active in a variety of cancers including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, whether these alkaloids have substantial benefits in combination with immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) for the treatment of NSCLC is unknown. Here, we explore the potential of these alkaloids in combination with ICB therapy based on a systems pharmacology and bioinformatics approach. We found that 37 alkaloids in SAL have highly similar characteristics in the molecular skeleton, pharmacological properties, and targets. The expression of targets of these alkaloids are significantly correlated with the infiltration level of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes and the expression levels of multiple immune checkpoints in NSCLC. They share similar molecular mechanisms in antitumor immunity. Sophocarpine (Sop) is one of the most representative constituents of these alkaloids. We demonstrated that the Sop promotes PD-L1 expression to improve the effects of PD-L1 blockade treatment via the ADORA1-ATF3 axis. In conclusion, our study identified these alkaloids as promising candidates for the treatment of NSCLC, either alone or in combination with ICB, with potential value for drug development and may provide a promising strategy for improving the survival of NSCLC patients.

Seasonal evaluation of skeletal muscle damage and hematological and biochemical parameters of Greco-Roman wrestlers from the Kyrgyzstan National Team before the 2016 Summer Olympic Games

BACKGROUND

Regular exercise activities affect blood cells.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the seasonal evaluation of some hematological and biochemical parameters of the Olympic Greco-Roman wrestlers.

METHODS

A total of three measurements were performed on wrestlers: immediately before the training period, three months and six months after the training session. Hematological and biochemical parameters were analyzed by taking sufficient blood samples from the athletes before and after exercise.

RESULTS

The total leukocyte, lymphocyte, and neutrophil values were found to be significantly higher (p< 0.05) in all three measures (beginning, 3rd and 6th months) in comparison with the values before exercise. When biochemical analyses were examined, blood glucose levels were significantly decreased after exercise in all three measures compared to before exercise. Post-exercise HDL cholesterol concentrations significantly increased (p< 0.05) while LDL cholesterol concentrations significantly decreased (p< 0.05).

CONCLUSION

On all three measures fatigue exercise has significantly increased the total leukocyte, lymphocyte and neutrophil values of wrestlers, while other, hematological parameters were not affected evenly. Fatigue exercise also significantly reduced blood glucose levels and LDL cholesterol concentrations, while HDL cholesterol concentrations were increased. The six-month period training did not have a significant effect on both hematologic and biochemical parameters in all three measurements.

Exercise Increases Mucosal-associated Invariant T Cell Cytokine Expression but Not Activation or Homing Markers

Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells have properties of both the innate and adaptive immune systems but are an understudied population within exercise immunology. These lymphocytes aggregate at the mucous membranes, but it is unknown if submaximal exercise alters their circulating numbers or function.

PURPOSE

To determine the MAIT cell response to submaximal exercise on activation and homing marker expression and stimulated cytokine production.

METHODS

Twenty healthy, young, recreationally active males cycled for 40 min at 86% of VT after an overnight fast. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated and labeled to identify specific MAIT cell populations using flow cytometry. Cytokine production after stimulation was also determined.

RESULTS

Mucosal-associated invariant T cells were 2.9% of T cells and increased to 3.9% after exercise and with recovery whereas cell numbers significantly increased by 91.5% after exercise before returning to resting levels. Chemokine and activation marker absolute cell number significantly increased while expression levels remained constant but the high levels of CCR5 may help direct MAIT cells to sites of inflammation. After stimulation, TNFα expression significantly increased after exercise before returning to baseline with a similar trend for IFNγ.

CONCLUSIONS

The MAIT cell numbers undergo a partial biphasic response after submaximal exercise and appear to be preferentially mobilized within T cells; however, the magnitude of the submaximal response was attenuated relative to maximal exercise. Stimulated MAIT cells increase TNFα expression, indicating greater responsiveness to pathogens after acute exercise.

Long-term swimming training modifies acute immune cell response to a high-intensity session

PURPOSE

Long-term training influence on athletes' immune cell response to acute exercise has been poorly studied, despite the complexity of both chronic and acute adaptations induced by training. The purpose of the study is to study the influence of a 4-month swimming training cycle on the immune cell response to a high-intensity training session, during 24 h of recovery, considering sex, maturity, and age group.

METHODS

Forty-three swimmers (16 females, 14.4 ± 1.1 years; 27 males, 16.2 ± 2.0) performed a standardized high-intensity session, after the main competition of the first (M1), and second (M2) macrocycles. Blood samples were collected before (Pre), immediately after (Post), 2 h after (Post2h) and 24 h after (Post24h) exercise. Haemogram and lymphocytes subsets were assessed by an automatic cell counter and by flow cytometry, respectively. Subjects were grouped according to sex, competitive age groups, or pubertal Tanner stages. Results express the percentage of relative differences from Pre to Post, Post2h and Post24h. Upper respiratory symptoms (URS) and training load were quantified.

RESULTS

At M2, we observed smaller increases of leukocytes (M1: 14.0 ± 36.3/M2: 2.33 ± 23.0%) and neutrophils (M1: 57.1 ± 71.6/M2: 38.9 ± 49.9%) at Post; and less efficient recoveries of total lymphocytes (M1: - 22.0 ± 20.1/M2: - 30.0 ± 18.6%) and CD19⁺ (M1: 4.09 ± 31.1/M2: - 19.1 ± 24.4%) at Post2h. At Post2h, the increment of CD4⁺/CD8⁺ was smaller in youth (M1: 21.5 ± 16.0/M2: 9.23 ± 21.4%), and bigger in seniors (M1: 3.68 ± 9.21/M2: 23.2 ± 15.0%); and at Post24h late pubertal swimmers' CD16⁺56⁺ recovered less efficiently (M1: - 0.66 ± 34.6/M2: - 20.5 ± 34.2%).

CONCLUSIONS

The training cycle induced an attenuated immune change immediately after exercise and a less efficient recovery of total lymphocytes, involving an accentuated CD19⁺ decrease. The concomitant higher URS frequency suggests a potential immune depression and a longer interval of susceptibility to infection.

Are the relationships between early activation of lymphocytes and cortisol or testosterone influenced by intensified cycling training in men?

The effects of exercise training on lymphocyte responses, as well as changes in circulating endocrine parameters at rest, were investigated. Seven male cyclists participated in a 4 week high-intensity (HI) cycling training intervention. Training improved performance significantly (peak power output (PPO): 1.4%, p < 0.05; 5 km time trial: 3.8%, p < 0.01; 40 km time trial: 0.4%, p < 0.05). Resting hormone concentrations (testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), cortisol, corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG), and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate (DHEA-S)) were unchanged, with the exception of a 20% decrease in testosterone post-HI training (p < 0.067). Subjects' CD3+ cell counts decreased by 15% (p < 0.05), owing to significantly decreased CD4+ cell counts and slightly lower CD8+ and natural killer (NK) cell counts. Spontaneous in vitro CD69 expression increased in CD4+ cells (mean ± SD, pre: 12 ± 6 cells·µL-1; post: 35 ± 37 cells·µL-1; p < 0.05), but not in CD8+ cells (pre: 20 ± 29 cells·µL-1; post: 33 ± 16 cells·µL-1). Mitogen-induced CD69 expression decreased in both CD4+ (pre: 1570 ± 1258 cells·µL-1; post: 596 ± 597 cells·µL-1; p < 0.05) and CD8+ lymphocytes (pre: 676 ± 434 cells·µL-1; post: 412 ± 235 cells·µL-1; p < 0.05). Testosterone correlated positively with several immune parameters at baseline, whereas cortisol correlated negatively with parameters of the innate immune system post-HI training. We conclude that the stress of unaccustomed exercise is evident in resting lymphocytes, but not in resting endocrine parameters. However, correlations between testosterone and cortisol and immune parameters suggest that these 2 hormones play a role in modulating immune status. Our results indicate the importance of assessing both spontaneous and mitogen-induced aspects of immune-cell activation.Key words: CD69, DHEA, lymphocytes, exercise.

Early activation of gammadelta T lymphocytes in patients with severe systemic inflammatory response syndrome

Innate immunity plays an important role in host defense after severe insult. gammadelta T lymphocytes are recognized as the first line of defense against microbial invasion. In this study, we evaluated gammadelta T lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of patients with severe systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), and examined on role of these cells. Thirty-seven patients with severe SIRS (SIRS criteria and serum C-reactive protein > or = 10 mg/dL) and 27 healthy volunteers were studied. Severe SIRS was caused by trauma in 14 patients (Injury Severity Score of 30.1 +/- 10.8) and by sepsis in 23 patients. The counts of gammadelta and alphabeta T lymphocytes were determined by flow cytometry of cells stained with monoclonal antibodies to gammadelta and alphabeta T lymphocyte receptors. The activation of these cells was evaluated by flow cytometry of cells stained with monoclonal antibodies to CD69 and HLA-DR. Serial counts and activation of gammadelta and alphabeta T lymphocytes were also determined in eight trauma patients (Injury Severity Score of 31.0 +/- 13.5) during a 2-week observation period. The count of gammadelta T lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of SIRS patients (30.1 +/- 6.0/microL) was significantly lower (P < 0.05) than that of the healthy volunteers (104.3 +/- 10.9/microL). The expression of CD69, an index of early activation of T lymphocytes, was significantly greater on gammadelta T lymphocytes from SIRS patients (patients 23.9% +/- 3.4%, healthy controls 4.8% +/- 0.6%, P < 0.05). In trauma patients, the expression of CD69 on gammadelta T lymphocytes increased rapidly within 48 h after injuries. In conclusion, gammadelta T lymphocytes are activated and decreased in the peripheral blood of severe SIRS patients. In trauma patients, the activation of gammadelta T lymphocytes occurs in the fairly acute phase after injuries. These results suggest a significant role for gammadelta T lymphocytes as early responders after severe insult.

Effect of caffeine ingestion on lymphocyte counts and subset activation in vivo following strenuous cycling

Caffeine ingestion is associated with increases in the concentration of plasma epinephrine and epinephrine is associated with alterations in immune cell trafficking and function following intensive exercise. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of caffeine ingestion on plasma epinephrine concentration, lymphocyte counts and subset activation in vivo, as measured by the expression the CD69 surface antigen, before and after intensive cycling. On two occasions, following an overnight fast and 60 h abstention from caffeine containing foods and drinks, eight endurance trained males cycled for 90 min at 70% <Vdot>O(2 max) 60 min after ingesting caffeine (6 mg kg(-1 )body mass; CAF) or placebo (PLA). Venous blood samples were collected at pre-treatment, pre-exercise, post-exercise and 1 h post-exercise. Plasma epinephrine concentrations were significantly higher in CAF compared with PLA at pre-exercise [0.28 (0.05) nmol l(-1) versus 0.08 (0.03) nmol l(-1), P<0.01; mean (SE)] and immediately post-exercise [1.02 (0.16) nmol l(-1) versuss 0.60 (0.13) nmol l(-1), P<0.01]. Compared with pre-treatment, numbers of CD4(+) and CD8(+) cells decreased by 54% and 55%, respectively, in CAF at 1 h post-exercise (both P<0.01) but did not significantly differ in PLA. Compared with PLA, in CAF the percentage of CD4(+)CD69(+) cells was 5-fold higher at post-exercise (P<0.05) and 5.5-fold higher at 1 h post-exercise (P=0.01). Compared with PLA, in CAF the percentage of CD8(+)CD69(+) cells was 2-fold higher at pre-exercise (P<0.05) and 1.7-fold higher at post-exercise (P<0.05). These findings suggest that caffeine ingestion is associated with alterations in lymphocyte subset trafficking and expression of CD69 in vivo following prolonged, intensive exercise.