Key viral immune genes and pathways identify elite athletes with URS

Autor/innen

  • Candice Colbey School of Medical Science and Menzies Health Institute QLD, Griffith University, Southport, QLD, Australia, Griffith Uni- versity, QLD, Australia Autor/in
  • Michael K. Drew University of Canberra Research Institute of Sport and Exercise (UCRISE), Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Can- berra, Australia Autor/in
  • Amanda J Cox School of Medical Science and Menzies Health Institute QLD, Griffith University, Southport, QLD, Australia, Griffith Uni- versity, QLD, Australia Autor/in
  • Jelena Vider School of Medical Science and Menzies Health Institute QLD, Griffith University, Southport, QLD, Australia, Griffith Uni- versity, QLD, Australia Autor/in
  • David B. Pyne University of Canberra Research Institute of Sport and Exercise (UCRISE), Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Can- berra, Australia Autor/in
  • Nicole Vlahonich Australian Institute of Sport, Canberra, Australia Autor/in
  • David Hughes Australian Institute of Sport, Canberra, Australia Autor/in
  • Gordon Waddington University of Canberra Research Institute of Sport and Exercise (UCRISE), Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Can- berra, Australia Autor/in
  • Renee Appaneal University of Canberra Research Institute of Sport and Exercise (UCRISE), Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Can- berra, Australia Autor/in
  • Louise M. Burke Australian Institute of Sport, Canberra, Australia Autor/in
  • Bronwen Lundy Australian Institute of Sport, Canberra, Australia Autor/in
  • Mary Toomey Department of Physiotherapy, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia Autor/in
  • David Watts Queensland Academy of Sport, Brisbane, Australia Autor/in
  • Gregory Lovell University of Canberra Research Institute of Sport and Exercise (UCRISE), Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Can- berra, Australia Autor/in
  • Stephan Praet University of Canberra Research Institute of Sport and Exercise (UCRISE), Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Can- berra, Australia Autor/in
  • Shona L. Halson School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, Brisbane Australia Autor/in
  • Marijke Welvaert University of Canberra Research Institute of Sport and Exercise (UCRISE), Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Can- berra, Australia Autor/in
  • Ping Zhang School of Medical Science and Menzies Health Institute QLD, Griffith University, Southport, QLD, Australia, Griffith Uni- versity, QLD, Australia Autor/in
  • Allan W. Cripps School of Medicine and Menzies Health Institute QLD, Griffith University, Southport, QLD, Australia, Griffith University, QLD, Australia Autor/in
  • Nicholas P West School of Medical Science and Menzies Health Institute QLD, Griffith University, Southport, QLD, Australia, Griffith Uni- versity, QLD, Australia Autor/in

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22029/eir.2020.1736

Schlagwörter:

UPPER-RESPIRATORY ILLNESS, POLYMERASE-CHAIN-REACTION, BLOOD MONONUCLEAR-CELLS, EXERCISE, PERFORMANCE, EXPRESSION, INFECTION, REVEALS

Abstract

Purpose: Habitual intense exercise may increase the incidence of upper respiratory symptoms (URS) in elite athletes. This study investigated whether immune gene expression could identify gene markers that discriminate athletes with a higher prevalence of URS. Methods: This cross-sectional analysis of elite Australian athletes from various sports investigated whether athletes retrospectively reporting URS for two days or more in a month (n=38), had an altered immune gene expression profile compared with asymptomatic athletes (n=33). Peripheral blood samples were collected during Olympic selection events with corresponding URS data collected for the one-month period before sampling. Digital immune gene expression analysis was undertaken using the NanoString PanCancer Immune Profiling panel. Results: Fifty immune genes were differentially expressed between the groups (p<0.05) and approximately 78% of these genes were more highly expressed in athletes reporting URS. Many of these genes were interferon-stimulated genes or genes involved in the Jak/Stat signalling pathway. Only interferon alpha inducible protein 27 (IF127), an interferon stimulated gene involved in viral response, remained significantly higher in athletes reporting URS (log(2) fold-difference= 2.49, odds ratio 1.02 per unit increase; p<0.01) post-adjustment and discriminated athletes reporting URS from asymptomatic athletes with 78% accuracy. Conclusion: Expression of IF127 could differentiate athletes reporting URS from asymptomatic athletes, a gene that is upregulated in the immune response to viral infection. Upregulation of viral signalling pathways provides novel information on the potential aetiology of URS in elite Olympic athletes.

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Veröffentlicht

2026-07-15

Ausgabe

Bd. 26 (2020)

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Articles

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