Exercise enhances vaccine-induced antigen-specific T cell responses

Regular moderate exercise has been proposed to enhance immune function, but its effects on immunity and their consequences have not been well studied. Mice without (AL) or with access (AL + EX) to voluntary running wheels were vaccinated with a model antigen (ovalbumin (OVA)) via intranasal or subcutaneous routes to target the mucosal and systemic immune compartments, respectively. EX enhanced OVA-specific CD4+ T cell cytokine production and proliferation in all lymphoid organs examined without changes in cell distribution in any organ. These results suggest that coupling moderate exercise with vaccination may enhance vaccine efficacy for the prevention and/or therapy of numerous diseases.