Fig. 4

Exercise-induced changes of T helper (h) lymphocyte subsets: No significant alterations in regard of relative or absolute numbers of CXCR3+/CCR4-/CCR6- (Th1) lymphocytes occurred (a and b). Prior to exercise patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) showed significantly elevated relative and absolute subsets of CXCR3-/CCR4+/CCR6- (Th2) cells (c and d) and significantly decreased levels of CXCR3+/CCR4-/CCR6+ (Th1/Th17) cells (g and h) as compared to healthy subjects. Exercise did not significantly change these subsets (c, d, g and h). However, exercise induced a relative but not absolute transients reduction of CXCR3-/CCR4+/CCR6+ (Th17) lymphocytes in patients with IPAH (e and f). CCR = Chemokine (C-C motif) receptor. CXCR = Chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor. *p < 0.05 (rANOVA); **p < 0.01 (rANOVA); ^#p < 0.05 (rANOVA)