Acute psychological stress and exercise and changes in peripheral leukocyte adhesion molecule expression and density

Objective: This study examined the effects of acute psychological stress an d exhaustive exercise on the expression and density of adhesion molecules ( L-selectin, lymphocyte function antigen-1 [LFA-1], and intracellular adhesi on molecule-1 [ICAM-1]) on monocytes, granulocytes, and lymphocytes. Method s: Forty-five healthy volunteers performed a 15-minute public speaking task and a 15- to 18-minute bicycle ergometer challenge. Results: In general, b oth the exercise and speaking tasks led to increases in the number of circu lating leukocytes and lymphocyte subsets. The density of L-selectin (CD62L) on mixed lymphocytes and T lymphocytes was decreased in response to exerci se (p values <.001). Both stressors led to an increased density of LFA-1 (C D11a) on mixed lymphocytes (p values < .01), whereas CD11a density on monoc ytes and granulocytes remained unchanged. ICAM-1 (CD54) density was unaffec ted, but the number of lymphocytes, monocytes, and granulocytes expressing CD54 increased in the circulation on both stressors. Conclusions: The data indicate that both psychological stress and exercise have significant effec ts on cellular expression of adhesion molecules on circulating leukocytes. Given the crucial role that adhesion molecules on circulating cells play in inflammation and disease, these findings may have clinical relevance in sy mpathetic nervous system-induced immune activation.