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Acute Aerobic Exercise Alters PBMC microRNA Expression: Insights into Sport- and Sex-Specific Variations

ABSTRACT: Studying microRNAs in the immune cells of athletes offers a novel perspective on the molecular regulation of immune function and recovery, potentially uncovering strategies to enhance performance and resilience to physical stress. However, PBMC microRNA expression in endurance athletes, such as runners and cyclists, remains underexplored, especially with regard to sex differences. This study aimed to (i) assess sport- and sex-specific differences in PBMC microRNA expression induced by acute aerobic exercise in runners and cyclists, (ii) evaluate the impact of maximal (trial A) and sub-maximal (trial B) exercises, and (iii) examine correlations between PBMC microRNAs and exercise performance. Methods: A total of 58 participants were included: 22 runners (9 females), 18 cyclists (9 females), and 18 active controls (9 females). Participants underwent VO2max and time-to-exhaustion tests, with blood samples collected pre- and post-exercise to analyze PBMC microRNA levels. Results: Runners exhibited a stronger microRNA response than cyclists or controls, with significant sex-based differences. After maximal intensity exercise, 279 microRNAs (255 upregulated) were altered in runners, compared to only 7 microRNAs (none upregulated) in cyclists. Exercise intensity and duration had sport-specific effects on microRNA expression. Time-to-exhaustion in runners and weekly training volume in both groups were significantly associated with changes in PBMC microRNA profiles. Conclusion: This study reveals that PBMC microRNA expression in response to acute aerobic exercise is sport- and sex-specific, providing new insights into the molecular adaptations of endurance athletes and their relationship to athletic performance.

ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens

PROVIDER: GSE288760 | GEO | 2025/07/02

REPOSITORIES: GEO

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Project description:This project aimed to characterize the impact of high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) vs. moderate-intensity continuous exercise (MICE) on immune cell proteomics. In a randomized crossover study with 23 young, recreationally active runners, we isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) before, immediately after, and 1h after HIIE and MICE, respectively. After completion of the study, PBMCs were used to (i) quantify exercise-induced immune cell shifts within the PBMC compartment via flow cytometry and to (ii) perform untargeted proteomics via LC-MS/MS. The study was prospectively registered in the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00017686) and was approved by the local ethics committee of the German Sport University Cologne. Recreationally active runners between 18 and 35 years were considered eligible, given they did not demonstrate any previous medical record of muscle disorders, cardiac or renal diseases, or regular intake of medication or nutritional supplements. Participants were scheduled for a total of three visits to an exercise physiology laboratory of the German Sport University Cologne: baseline testing, a HIIE session, and a MICE session. All participants were asked to arrive overnight-fasted and to refrain from alcohol and caffeine intake in the 24 hours prior to each visit. All assessments were carried out between 07:00 and 10:00 am, to account for a potential circadian impact on performance and biological outcomes. The minimum timeframe between each of the three visits was 72 hours, to prevent potential carryover effects. During baseline testing, anthropometric and demographic characteristics of the participants were assessed, and a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) was performed on a treadmill. Peak oxygen uptake (V̇O2peak) was calculated as the highest 15-second interval during the CPET. To prevent sequence effects participants were then randomized into one of two exercise intervention sequences: HIIE-MICE or MICE-HIIE. The randomization was carried out as concealed allocation (1:1) following the minimization procedure by Pock and Simon (REF) with age, BMI, and V̇O2peak as stratification factors. Exercise intensities for the HIIE and MICE session were calculated as percent of V̇O2peak for each participant to ensure that all participants exercised at the same intensity. The exercise conditions were matched for duration and energy expenditure as described previously (REF) to isolate exercise intensity as the only differing variable. During MICE participants performed a warm-up for 10 min at a self-selected intensity, followed by a 5 min break. Participants then ran for 50 min at 70 % of their V̇O2peak. During HIIE, participants performed 7 min of warm-up and cool-down at 70% V̇O2peak with six bouts of high-intensity running at 90 % V̇O2peak in between. Each high-intensity bout lasted 3 min, followed by 3 min of active recovery at 50 % V̇O2peak. For each measurement timepoint 24 mL of whole blood were drawn from a median antecubital vein into EDTA tubes.

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Acute Aerobic Exercise Alters PBMC microRNA Expression: Insights into Sport- and Sex-Specific Variations

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