Exercise Delays T Cell Population Aging

Exercise delays the aging of the immune system, particularly changes in the distribution of T cell populations, but what are the underlying mechanisms? Researchers here note the existing focus in the scientific community on mitochondrial metabolism in T cells; exercise beneficially affects mitochondrial function, and energy metabolism is an important determinant of T cell behavior. The researchers suggest, however, that the existing evidence is more supportive of effects based on differences in metabolite production and consumption. It is an interesting viewpoint. The effect of exercise on immune health has been widely studied in various population cohorts, however, exercise-research targeting CD4+ T cells is less represented. Nevertheless, exercise has been shown to modulate both the number and activity of CD4+ T cells, with an increased number of CD4+ T cells observed in the blood of athletes after training. Furthermore, physical fitness can modulate the concentration of immune cell subsets (VO2max exhibiting a large correlation with regulatory T cells (Treg) populations in the blood outside of training). Moreover, exercise can alter the balance of Th17/Tregs (increased Th17 and decreased Treg populations) improving chronic heart failure outcomes in a murine model. In reports that have identified CD4+ T cell subsets, the mechanisms driving these observations are not characterized, however, it is likely that metabolism plays an integral part. Metabolic progr...
Source: Fight Aging! - Category: Research Authors: Tags: Daily News Source Type: blogs