Acute exercise induces distinct quantitative and phenotypical T cell profiles in men with prostate cancer

BackgroundReduced testosterone levels can influence immune system function, particularly T cells. Exercise during cancer reduces treatment-related side effects and provide a stimulus to mobilize and redistribute immune cells. However, it is unclear how conventional and unconventional T cells (UTC) respond to acute exercise in prostate cancer survivors compared to healthy controls.MethodsAge-matched prostate cancer survivors on androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and those without ADT (PCa) along with non-cancer controls (CON) completed similar to 45 min of intermittent cycling with 3 min at 60% of peak power interspersed by 1.5 min of rest. Fresh, unstimulated immune cell populations and intracellular perforin were assessed before (baseline), immediately following (0 h), 2 h, and 24 h post-exercise.ResultsAt 0 h, conventional T cell counts increased by 45%-64% with no differences between groups. T cell frequency decreased by -3.5% for CD3(+) and -4.5% for CD4(+) cells relative to base at 0 h with CD8(+) cells experiencing a delayed decrease of -4.5% at 2 h with no group differences. Compared to CON, the frequency of CD8(+)CD57(+) cells was -18.1% lower in ADT. Despite a potential decrease in maturity, ADT increased CD8(+)perforin(+) GMFI. CD3(+)V alpha 7.2(+)CD161(+) counts, but not frequencies, increased by 69% post-exercise while CD3(+)CD56(+) cell counts increased by 127% and were preferentially mobilized (+1.7%) immediately following the acute cycling bout. There were no UTC group differences. Cell counts and frequencies returned to baseline by 24 h.ConclusionFollowing acute exercise, prostate cancer survivors demonstrate normal T cell and UTC responses that were comparable to CON. Independent of exercise, ADT is associated with lower CD8(+) cell maturity (CD57) and perforin frequency that suggests a less mature phenotype. However, higher perforin GMFI may attenuate these changes, with the functional implications of this yet to be determined.

Automated summary

Acute exercise elicits similar responses in conventional and unconventional T cells (UTC) among prostate cancer survivors and healthy controls. However, patients on androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) display lower CD8(+) cell maturity (CD57) and perforin frequency, while higher perforin GMFI may attenuate these changes.