Exercise Immunology Research Laboratory
Research
Our research focuses on exercise immunology. Specifically, our experiments are designed to (1) describe the effects of different doses of exercise on immune function, (2) determine the mechanisms (i.e. central nervous, endocrine, intracellular) responsible for exercise-induced changes in immunity, (3) define the physiological significance of exercise-induced changes in immunity in relation to disease susceptibility and progression (viral and bacterial infections and cancer), and (4) explore the use of appropriate forms of exercise as adjunct therapy for those with dysregulated immune systems (i.e. elderly). The broad goal of our research program is to generate a public health message regarding the effects of exercise on immune function and susceptibility to disease. It is important to know how different doses of exercise affect immune function and disease, especially in the elderly. The current belief is that moderate exercise enhances immune function, whereas exhaustive exercise and overtraining suppress it. Additionally, our work will aid in elucidating the in vivo role of neuroendocrine and non-neuroendocrine factors in regulating immune cell function and disease susceptibility.
Publications
- Lowder, T, Lankford, D., Padgett, D., and J.A. Woods. Moderate exercise protects mice from death due to influenza. Brain, Behav. and Imm., 19: 377-380, 2005.
- Zielinski, M.R., M.A. Wallig, P. Horn, M. Muenchow, and J.A. Woods. Exercise delays allogeneic tumor growth and reduces intra-tumoral inflammation and vascularization. J Appl Physiol. 2004 Jun;96(6):2249-56. Epub 2004 Mar 12
- Yoon, P., K.T. Keylock, M.E. Hartman, G.G. Freund and J.A. Woods. Macrophage hypo-responsiveness to interferon- in aged mice is associated with impaired signaling through Jak-STAT. Mech. Ageing Dev. 125: 137-143, 2004.
- Woods, J.A., M.A. Ceddia, M. Zack, T. Lowder, and Q. Lu. Exercise training restores the näive to memory T lymphocyte ratio in old mice. Brain, Behav. and Imm., 17: 384-392, 2003.
- Woods, J.A., T. Lowder, and K.T. Keylock. Can exercise training improve immune function in the aged? Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci., 959: 117-127, 2002.
- Yellayi, S., A. Naaz, M.A. Szewczykowski, T. Sato, J.A. Woods, J. Chang, M. Segre, W.G. Helferich, and P.S. Cooke.The soy phytoestrogen genistein induces thymic and immune abnormalities in mice: a potential human health hazard? Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 99 (11): 7616-7621, 2002.
- Woods, J.A., T. Lowder, and K.T. Keylock.Can exercise training improve immune function in the aged? Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci., 959: 117-127, 2002.
- Pedersen, B.K., J.A. Woods, and D.C. Nieman. Exercise-induced immune changes - an influence on metabolism? Trends in Immunol. 22(9): 473-475, 2001.
- Pedersen, B.K., J.A. Woods, and D.C. Nieman. Exercise-induced immune changes - an influence on metabolism? Trends in Immunology 22(9): 473-475, 2001.
- Woods, J.A., Q. Lu, M.A. Ceddia, and T. Lowder. Exercise induced modulation of macrophage function. J. Immunol. Cell Biol.,78: 545-553, 2000.
- Woods, J.A. Exercise and neuroendocrine modulation of macrophage function. Int. J. Spt. Med. 21: S24-S30, 2000.
- Ceddia, M.A., E.W. Voss Jr., and J.A. Woods. Intracellular mechanisms are responsible for the exhaustive exercise-induced suppression of macrophage antigen presentation. J. Appl. Physiol. 88(2): 804, 2000, *selected as a highlighted article.
- Yellayi, S., C. Teuscher, J.A. Woods, T. Welsh, K.S. Tung, C. Rosenfeld, D.B. Lubahn, and P.S. Cooke. Role of estrogen receptor alpha (ERa) in the development and function of the thymus in male mice. Endocrine 12(3): 207-213, 2000.
- Ceddia, M.A., and J.A. Woods. Exercise suppresses macrophage antigen presentation. J. Appl. Physiol. 87(6): 2253-2258, 1999.
- Woods, J.A., M.A. Ceddia, J.K. Evans, E.A. Price, B.W. Wolters, E. McAuley, and Q. Lu. Effects of chronic endurance exercise on immune function in the elderly. Mech. Age. Dev.,109(1):1-19, 1999.
- Lu, Q., M.A. Ceddia, E.A. Price, and J.A. Woods. Chronic exercise increases macrophage-mediated anti-tumor cytolytic function in young and old mice. Am. J. Physiol. 276(2): R482-R489, 1999.
- Ceddia, M.A., E.A. Price, C.K. Kohlmeier, J.K. Evans, Q. Lu, E. McAuley, and J.A. Woods.Differential leukocytosis and lymphocyte response to acute maximal exercise in the young and old. Med. Sci. Spt. Exerc. 31(6): 829-836, 1999.
- Woods, J.A., J.M. Davis, J.A. Smith, and D.C. Nieman.Exercise and cellular innate immune function. Med. Sci. Spt. Exerc. 31: 57-66, 1999.
- Woods, J.A., Evans, J.K., Wolters, B.W., Ceddia, M.A., and E. McAuley. Effects of maximal exercise on natural killer (NK) cell activity and responsiveness to interferon-a in the young and old. J. Gerontol. Biol. Sci., 53: B430-B437, 1998.
- Woods, J.A. Exercise and resistance to neoplasia. Can. J. Physiol. Pharmacol. 76: 1-8, 1998.
- Woods, J.A., M.A. Ceddia, C. Kozak, and B. W. Wolters. Effects of exercise on the macrophage MHC II response to inflammation. Int. J. Spt. Med. 18: 483-488, 1997.
- Woods, J.A., N.S. Shahabi, and B.M. Sharp.Characterization of a naloxone-resistant ß-endorphin receptor on murine peritoneal macrophages. Life Sciences 60(9): 573-586, 1997.
