Project R-14272

Immune protective effects of exercise: sex matters (Research)

The last decade has seen a dramatic increase in 'noncommunicable diseases' (NCDs). These conditions are caused by sedentary behaviour and physical inactivity. Studies have shown that increasing regular physical activity decreases disease occurrence and delays all-cause mortality. The improved immune fitness of physically active individuals renders them more resilient to infections, owing to a better immunosurveillance against pathogens. However, the mechanisms underlying these positive effects remain unclear. Interestingly, literature shows that immune responses are critically determined by sex. For this reason, I perform a detailed study investigating how regular exercise reduces the effects of sedentary behaviour by regulating immune pathways in a sex-dependent way. In this project, I identify the T cell gene expression signature of regular exercise in young males and females. After identification of the pathways, they are validated using an ex vivo screening platform. Finally, I investigate the same pathways in chronically sedentary males and females. This study will provide a better understanding of the sex-dependent T cell signature of regular exercise.

01 November 2023 - 31 October 2025