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Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology 11/2015

01-11-2015 | Original Article

Release of bulk cell free DNA during physical exercise occurs independent of extracellular vesicles

Authors: Susanne Helmig, Carsten Frühbeis, Eva-Maria Krämer-Albers, Perikles Simon, Suzan Tug

Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Issue 11/2015

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Abstract

Purpose

Strenuous exercise induces a rapid and transient elevation of cell free DNA (cfDNA) concentration in blood plasma. The detection of cfDNA in the presence of plasma nucleases could indicate an association of cfDNA with protective vesicular structures. Several cell types release extracellular vesicles (EVs), including exosomes and shedding microvesicles, which are known to mediate the exchange of proteins and nucleic acids (largely RNA) between cells. Here, we assessed whether EVs play a role in the exercise-dependent release of cfDNA in blood plasma.

Methods

Venous blood collected from healthy volunteers before and after incremental treadmill exercise was separated into vesicular (EV) and soluble fractions. Nuclear and mitochondrial DNA content in plasma supernatants and EV fractions was determined by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR).

Results

We show that the majority of cfDNA is located in the plasma supernatants. Only minute amounts of DNA were observed in the EV-associated fractions including microvesicles and exosomes. Nuclear and mitochondrial DNA species differ in terms of their quantities in the several plasma fractions.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that cfDNA liberated in response to acute physical exercise is not released by vesicular means and circulates in a soluble form in blood plasma which could indicate different biological functions exerted by cfDNA and EVs. The different nature of DNA species in plasma has major implications for the preparation of plasma and other bodily fluids prior to analysis.
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Metadata
Title
Release of bulk cell free DNA during physical exercise occurs independent of extracellular vesicles
Authors
Susanne Helmig
Carsten Frühbeis
Eva-Maria Krämer-Albers
Perikles Simon
Suzan Tug
Publication date
01-11-2015
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
European Journal of Applied Physiology / Issue 11/2015
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Electronic ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-015-3207-8

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