Circulating immune cell populations at rest and in response to acute endurance exercise in young adults with cerebral palsy

• Published in: Developmental medicine and child neurology Vol. 66; no. 7; pp. 902 - 909
• Main Authors: Kruse, Annika, Imery, Ian, Corell, Linnéa, Hjalmarsson, Emma, Fernandez‐Gonzalo, Rodrigo, Von Walden, Ferdinand, Reitzner, Stefan M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01-07-2024
• Subjects: Adult; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes - immunology; Cerebral Palsy - blood; Cerebral Palsy - immunology; Cerebral Palsy - physiopathology; Exercise - physiology; Female; Fysiologi; Heart Rate - physiology; Humans; Male; Medicin och hälsovetenskap; Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper; Physical Endurance - physiology; Rest; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0012-1622; 1469-8749; 1469-8749
• DOI: 10.1111/dmcn.15835

Aim
The aim of this observational study was to determine the immune status and function in young adults with cerebral palsy (CP) in comparison to typically developing individuals.
Method
Blood samples from 12 individuals with CP (five males, seven females; mean age: 25 years 1 month (5 years 9 months); age range: 19–38 years) and 17 typically developing individuals (eight males, nine females; mean age: 31 years 4 months (6 years 2 months); age range: 20–40 years) were collected before, immediately after, and 1 hour after 45 minutes of frame running or running respectively. Independent t‐tests were used to compare heart rate, level of exertion, and baseline cell proportions between groups. Mixed model analysis of variance was utilized to investigate immune cell responses to exercise across groups.
Results
Baseline levels of gamma delta (TCRγδ+) T‐cells were significantly higher (absolute percentage: +2.65, p = 0.028) in the individuals with CP. Several cell populations showed similar significant changes after exercise in both CP and typically developing groups. Cytotoxic (CD8+) T‐cells were only significantly elevated immediately after exercise in the typically developing participants (p < 0.01). Individuals with CP exhibited significantly lower heart rates (−11.1%, p < 0.01), despite similar ratings of perceived exertion.
Interpretation
Elevated baseline TCRγδ+ T‐cells may indicate low‐grade inflammation in adults with CP. Although most of the cell populations showed typical responses to endurance exercise, the absence of response in CD8+ T‐cells in individuals with CP may indicate the need for higher intensity during exercise.
What this paper adds
TCRγδ+ T‐cell baseline levels are elevated in adults with cerebral palsy (CP).
The CD8+ T‐cell response to exercise was blunted in adults with CP.
Exercise intensity is decisive for CD8+ T‐cell responses in individuals with CP.
What this paper adds
TCRγδ+ T‐cell baseline levels are elevated in adults with cerebral palsy (CP).
The CD8+ T‐cell response to exercise was blunted in adults with CP.
Exercise intensity is decisive for CD8+ T‐cell responses in individuals with CP.
Circulating immune cell populations at rest and in response to 45 minutes of endurance exercise in non‐ambulatory adults with cerebral palsy and typically developing individuals.
This original article is commented on by Strickland on pages 830–831 of this issue.