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Biomolecules
Special Issues
Exercise Immunology: Molecular Mechanisms and Health Applications
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Exercise Immunology: Molecular Mechanisms and Health Applications

A special issue of Biomolecules (ISSN 2218-273X). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Biology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 1552

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Dorota Kostrzewa-Nowak

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Guest Editor
Department of Clinical and Molecular Biochemistry, Pomeranian Medical University, 72 Powstańców Wlkp. Al., 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
Interests: biochemistry; exercise; exercise immunology; muscle strength
Dr. Robert Nowak

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Centre for Human Structural and Functional Research, Institute of Physical Culture Sciences, University of Szczecin, 17C Narutowicza St., 70-240 Szczecin, Poland
2. Department of Pathology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 1 Unii Lubelskiej St., 71-242 Szczecin, Poland
Interests: exercise immunology; biochemistry; flow cytometry
Dr. Michał Sławiński

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Clinical and Molecular Biochemistry, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 72 12 Powstańców Wlkp. Al., 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
Interests: exercise
Dr. Patrizia Proia

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo Via Giovanni Pascoli 6 - 90144 Palermo, Italy
Interests: body composition; exercise; sport nutrition; neurodegenative disease; physical activity; Nutrition; Supplements; diet take
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The immunological balance is one of the key factors of well-being, regardless of the participant's sex and age. The knowledge-based, damage-, and lifestyle-associated molecular patterns help us understand the mechanisms of the immunomodulating effect of physical effort and physical activity. This molecular mechanism will help explain the role of physical activity as a supportive component of treatment for various types of diseases. On the other hand, at the molecular level, we can find an understanding of the anabolic effect of physical effort among well-trained and professional athletes.

This Special Issue will focus on novel and primary research and in-depth reviews on the molecular mechanisms of immunomodulation effects of different types of exercise, regardless of one’s level of training or health condition.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Dorota Kostrzewa-Nowak
Dr. Robert Nowak
Dr. Michał Sławiński
Dr. Patrizia Proia
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Biomolecules is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • post-effort immune response
  • lifestyle-associated molecular patterns
  • damage-associated molecular patterns
  • immune cell
  • cell signaling
  • cell death
  • growth factor
  • chemokines
  • cytokines
  • transcription factors

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 3669 KB  
Article
Exercise Boosts the Immune System and Enhances Immunotherapy Responses in Pancreatic Cancer and Mesothelioma
by Brindley Hapuarachi, Sarah Danson, Jonathan Wadsley, Hannah Brown, Phoebe Southam and Munitta Muthana
Biomolecules 2026, 16(4), 493; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom16040493 - 25 Mar 2026
Viewed by 504
Abstract
Background: Exercise modulates the immune system and may enhance anti-cancer activity, offering potential synergy with cancer immunotherapy. Tumours with low immune cell infiltration (“cold” tumours) often respond poorly to immunotherapy and are associated with poor prognosis. Here, we demonstrate that exercise can reshape [...] Read more.
Background: Exercise modulates the immune system and may enhance anti-cancer activity, offering potential synergy with cancer immunotherapy. Tumours with low immune cell infiltration (“cold” tumours) often respond poorly to immunotherapy and are associated with poor prognosis. Here, we demonstrate that exercise can reshape the immune landscape of tumours across the cold spectrum. Methods: C57BL/6 mice underwent orthotopic implantation of PANC02 (murine pancreatic adenocarcinoma) cells and BALB/c mice underwent intraperitoneal injections of AB-1 (murine mesothelioma) cells. Mice were then divided into groups; exercise with anti-Programmed Cell Death Protein 1 (PD-1), exercise with isotype, no exercise with anti-PD-1 and no exercise with isotype. Treadmill-running was performed for 20 min/day, 4 days/week at a speed of 12 metres/minute. Resistance training consisted of hanging upside down on a wire-mesh screen for 1 min 2 days/week. Flow cytometry was used to measure TME immune populations. Tumour and liver samples were harvested, paraffin wax-embedded/sectioned and analysed using SlideViewer 2.9.0™. A total of 22 healthy volunteers underwent a single bout of high-intensity interval cycling. Blood was collected pre- and post-exercise. Flow cytometry was used to measure leucocyte subpopulations. MSTO-211H (mesothelioma) and PANC-1 (pancreatic cancer) cells were cultured with pre- and post-exercise serum, with/without HSV1716, and viability determined using alamarBlue®. PANC-1 apoptosis and migration were assessed using caspase-3/7 and scratch assays, respectively. Results: In an orthotopic pancreatic cancer mouse model, combining exercise with immunotherapy significantly increased tumour necrosis and reduced metastatic potential. In both pancreatic cancer and mesothelioma models, this combination remodelled the tumour microenvironment, enhancing cytotoxic CD8+ T cell infiltration, upregulating Programmed Cell Death Protein 1 (PD-1), and reducing Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells and regulatory T cells (Tregs). Complementary human studies revealed an acute systemic release of Natural Killer cells and a reduction in Tregs following high-intensity interval exercise in healthy volunteers. Moreover, exercise-conditioned serum from these participants exerted anti-cancer effects on pancreatic cancer and mesothelioma cell lines. Conclusions: Altogether, these findings highlight exercise as a promising adjunct to immunotherapy for poorly immunogenic cancers such as pancreatic cancer and mesothelioma. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exercise Immunology: Molecular Mechanisms and Health Applications)
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17 pages, 12141 KB  
Article
Chemokine Receptor Profile of Circulating Leukocyte Subsets in Response to Acute High-Intensity Interval Training
by Katharina Leuchte, Sara Fresnillo Saló, Anne Rahbech, Mikkel Byrdal, Anders Vinther and Gitte Holmen Olofsson
Biomolecules 2026, 16(2), 263; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom16020263 - 7 Feb 2026
Viewed by 664
Abstract
Physically active individuals demonstrate enhanced immune competence. Efficient execution of effector function relies on chemokine receptor-regulated immune cell trafficking along chemokine gradients to sites of inflammation, infection, tumors, or tissue damage. This study investigates the impact of acute high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on [...] Read more.
Physically active individuals demonstrate enhanced immune competence. Efficient execution of effector function relies on chemokine receptor-regulated immune cell trafficking along chemokine gradients to sites of inflammation, infection, tumors, or tissue damage. This study investigates the impact of acute high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on chemokine receptor expression in leukocytes. Sixteen healthy participants completed a single HIIT session, and peripheral blood was collected before exercise (Bsl), immediately after (Ex02), and one hour later (Ex60). Surface expression of selected chemokine receptors was measured using flow cytometry on CD4+ T cells, γδ T cells, NK cells, and monocytes, followed by FlowSOM clustering. NK cells, CD4+ T cells, and γδ T cells were strongly mobilized at Ex02 and returned to or below baseline at Ex60. HIIT preferentially mobilized CX3CR1+ CXCR2+ CD56dim NK cells, CD4+ T cells expressing CX3CR1hi and CCR5+, and CX3CR1+ CD56+ γδ T cells, indicating mobilization of immune cells phenotypically associated with migratory and cytotoxic potential. Proportions of intermediate and non-classical monocytes increased at Ex02 and decreased at Ex60. In conclusion, HIIT induced a rapid redistribution of leukocyte subsets with chemokine receptor profiles suggesting enhanced endothelial interaction and migratory capacity toward effector tissues. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exercise Immunology: Molecular Mechanisms and Health Applications)
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