
Mark RossHeriot-Watt University
Mark Ross
B.Sc (Hons), M.Sc, PG Cert, Ph.D
About
61
Publications
10,014
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Introduction
Associate Professor in Sport and Exercise Physiology at Heriot Watt University. Research interest centres around how our immune system contributes to inflammation and repair with age and exercise.
Additional affiliations
August 2016 - May 2022
November 2009 - June 2011
Position
- The Influence of an Acute Bout of Resistance Exercise on Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells in Trained Men
Description
- Investigated the acute response of circulating endothelial progenitor cell number as a result of a high intensity resistance exercise bout. Providing mechanistic means for vascular protection via resistance exercise.
Education
September 2011 - June 2016
November 2009 - June 2011
September 2005 - July 2009
Publications
Publications (61)
Bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) are involved in vascular growth and repair. They increase in the circulation after a single bout of aerobic exercise, potentially related to muscle ischemia. Muscular endurance resistance exercise (MERE) bouts also have the potential to induce muscle ischemia if appropriately structured.
The ob...
Ageing is associated with an increased risk of developing noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD). The increased risk can be attributable to increased prolonged exposure to oxidative stress. Often, CVD is preceded by endothelial dysfunction, which carries with it a proatherothrombotic phenotype. Endothelia...
Aging is associated with elevated cardiovascular disease risk. As a result of aging, endothelial dysfunction develops, partly due to a reduction in vascular regenerative ability. CD31+ T cells (angiogenic T cells; TANG) possess highly angiogenic capabilities; however, these cells are significantly reduced in older populations. In addition, older po...
Background: Circulating progenitor cells (CPCs) play an important role in vascular repair and may influence cardiovascular (CV) health and longevity. Exercise is known to modulate these cells via mobilization from the bone marrow. The primary aims of this study were to evaluate the association of CPCs with mortality and explore the association betw...
The prevalence of centenarians, people who lived 100 years and longer, is steadily growing in the last decades. This exceptional longevity is based on multifaceted processes influenced by a combination of intrinsic and extrinsic factors such as sex, (epi-)genetic factors, gut microbiota, cellular metabolism, exposure to oxidative stress, immune sta...
Purpose
Exercise is known to acutely affect T-lymphocyte populations in the peripheral blood, which is intensity- and duration-dependent. However, effects of longer duration endurance exercise (>5 h) on T-cells in the days following are unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the circulating T-cell changes that occur in response to an ult...
Vascular function serves as a prognostic marker for cardiovascular disease and may exhibit seasonal variations due to lifestyle and environmental factors. Our systematic review aimed to determine whether seasonal variations in vascular function are present. We conducted a search of five databases (MEDLINE via PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, Cochran...
CD34⁺ progenitor cells with angiogenic capabilities traffic into blood during exercise and extravasate afterwards but the magnitude of this response varies between people. We examined whether exercise‐induced progenitor cell trafficking is influenced by cardiorespiratory fitness (maximum oxygen uptake; V̇O2max${{\dot{V}}_{{{{\mathrm{O}}}_2}{\mathrm...
Aim
Endothelial dysfunction has been associated with both cerebrovascular pathology and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, the connection between circulating endothelial cells and the risk of AD remains uncertain. The objective was to leverage data from the Framingham Heart Study to investigate various circulating endothelial subtypes and their pot...
Interleukin (IL)-6 elicits both anticancer and procancer effects depending on the context, which we have termed the ‘exercise IL-6 enigma’. IL-6 is released from skeletal muscles during exercise to regulate short-term energy availability. Exercise-induced IL-6 provokes biological effects that may protect against cancer by improving insulin sensitiv...
Older adults exhibit a reduced number and function of CD34 + circulating progenitor cells (CPC), a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Exercise promotes the mobilisation of CPCs from bone marrow, so whether ageing per se or physical inactivity in older age reduces CPCs is unknown. Thus, this study examined the effect of age on resting and...
Background: Chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer associates with well-documented cardiovascular detriments. Exercise has shown promise as a potentially protective intervention against cardiac toxicity. However, there is a paucity of evidence for the benefits of exercise on the vasculature.
Objectives: This study aimed to determine the effects o...
Exercise-induced skeletal muscle angiogenesis is a well-known physiological adaptation that occurs in humans in response to exercise training and can lead to endurance performance benefits, as well as improvements in cardiovascular and skeletal tissue health. An increase in capillary density in skeletal muscle improves diffusive oxygen exchange and...
Cerebrovascular damage coexists with Alzheimers disease (AD) pathology and increases AD risk. However, it is unclear whether endothelial progenitor cells reduce AD risk via cerebrovascular repair. By using the Framingham Heart Study (FHS) offspring cohort, which includes data on different progenitor cells, the incidence of AD dementia, peripheral a...
Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): Edinburgh Napier University
Introduction
Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is increasingly recognised as an important cause of myocardial infarction, particularly among women. SCAD survivors may not know what physical activity is safe and e...
Background
Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is increasingly recognized as an important cause of myocardial infarction, particularly among women. Spontaneous coronary artery dissection survivors may not know what physical activity is safe and effective, and there may be a psychosocial burden of living with a SCAD diagnosis.
Objectives...
Background
Many individuals with type 1 diabetes retain residual beta-cell function. Sustained endogenous insulin and C-peptide secretion is associated with reduced diabetes related complications, but underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Lower circulating numbers of endothelial and hematopoietic progenitor cells (EPCs and HPCs), and the inability...
Breast cancer chemotherapy, although very potent against tumour tissue, results in significant cardiovascular toxicity. The focus of research in this area has been predominantly towards cardiotoxicity. There is limited evidence detailing the impact of such treatment on the vasculature despite its central importance within the cardiovascular system...
Exercise mobilizes angiogenic cells, which stimulate vascular repair. However, limited research suggests exercise-induced increase of endothelial progenitor cell (EPCs) is completely lacking in type 1 diabetes (T1D). Clarification, along with investigating how T1D influences exercise-induced increases of other angiogenic cells (hematopoietic progen...
Background and aims
Circulating progenitor cells (CPCs) play an important role in vascular repair and can influence cardiovascular (CV) health and longevity. Exercise is known to modulate these cells via mobilization from the bone marrow. The primary aims of this study were to evaluate the association of CPCs with mortality and explore the associat...
Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): Edinburgh Napier University Research Excellence Grant
Background
Circulating progenitor cells (CPCs) play an important role in vascular repair and may influence cardiovascular (CV) health and longevity. Physical activity is known to promote vascular he...
New findings:
What is the central question of the study? Does exercise affect vitamin D receptor expression in T-lymphocytes in young, middle aged and older adults? What is the main finding and its importance? Moderate intensity cycling exercise increases vitamin D receptor expression in vitamin D deficient men, independent of age, presenting a st...
The global pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has led to 47m infected cases and 1.2m (2.6%) deaths. A hallmark of more severe cases of SARS-CoV-2 in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) appears to be a virally-induced over-activation or unregul...
Abstract
Background: Chemotherapy treatments for breast cancer are toxic to the cardiovascular system and can lead to the development of cardiovascular disease. As the first point of contact with chemotherapy drugs, it is important to consider the role of the vascular endothelium in the development of cardiovascular toxicity and to identify potent...
The coronavirus pandemic has reportedly infected over 22 million individuals and caused over 778,000 deaths worldwide. This novel coronavirus, officially named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), although primarily causes significant respiratory distress, can have significant deleterious effects on the cardiovascular syste...
Aims: β-cells can function for years after diagnosis in people with type 1 diabetes (T1D). It is unknown how C-peptide secretion impacts upon rare blood vessel protecting Endothelial and Hematopoietic Progenitor Cells (EPCs and HPCs), particularly in response to cardiovascular stress, such as exercise. We compared EPC and HPC counts at rest and aft...
Aims: Endothelial and Hematopoietic Progenitor Cells (EPCs and HPCs) promote vascular health through secreting proangiogenic factors and replacing damaged cells. Exercise has been shown to be a mobiliser of these rare cells in healthy individuals, however, the response in chronic diseases such as type 1 diabetes (T1D) is unclear. We compared EPC an...
The latest generation of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin assays are able to quantify very low concentrations of troponin in the majority of people. Indeed , international guidelines now recommend the use of low concentrations of troponin to risk-stratify patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome. 1 Furthermore, troponin is an independent pr...
Introduction
International guidelines recommend the use of low concentrations of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin to risk stratify patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome, however, troponin concentration may also rise due to physical exercise. Interpreting cardiac troponin concentration in this context is challenging because the magnitude...
Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are a vasculogenic subset of progenitors, which play a key role in maintenance of endothelial integrity. These cells are exercise-responsive, and thus exercise may play a key role in vascular repair and maintenance via mobilization of such cells. Blood flow restriction exercise, due to the augmentation of local t...
Exercise in young adults has been consistently shown to improve various aspects of physiological and psychological health but we are now realising the potential benefits of exercise with advancing age. Specifically, exercise improves cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and metabolic health through reductions in oxidative stress, chronic low-grade infl...
Although commonly understood as immune cells, certain T lymphocyte and monocyte subsets have angiogenic potential, contributing to blood vessel growth and repair. These cells are highly exercise responsive and may contribute to the cardiovascular benefits seen with exercise. Purpose: To compare the effects of a single bout of continuous (CONTEX) an...
Purpose:
Dietary nitrate (NO3−) has repeatedly been shown to improve endurance and intermittent, high-intensity events in temperate conditions. However, the ergogenic effects of dietary NO3− on intermittent exercise performance in hot conditions have yet to be investigated. Methods:
In a randomised, counterbalanced, double-blind crossover study, 12...
Background:
The endothelium plays an important role in cardiovascular regulation, from blood flow to platelet aggregation, immune cell infiltration and demargination. A dysfunctional endothelium leads to the onset and progression of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD). The aging endothelium displays significant alterations in function, such as reduced va...
Neutrophil surveillance is central to nanoparticle clearance. Silver nanoparticles (AgNP) have numerous uses, however conflicting evidence exists as to their impact on neutrophils and whether they trigger damaging inflammation. Neutrophil’s importance in innate defence and regulating immune networks mean it’s essential we understand AgNP’s impact o...
Dietary nitrate (NO3-) has been shown to improve endurance, self-paced events and intermittent, high-intensity exercise in temperate environments through its effect on enhanced blood flow, reduced O2 and improved skeletal muscle efficiency. However, the ergogenic effects on sport-related performance in the heat has yet to be studied. The impact of...
New Findings
What is the central question of the study?
Are CD31 ⁺ angiogenic T (T ANG ) cells preferentially mobilized in response to acute exercise?
What is the main finding and its importance?
Our study reveals that T ANG cells are redistributed into the circulation in response to acute strenuous exercise, but to a lesser extent than CD31 ⁻ T ce...
Sitting time and other forms of physical inactivity are associated with ill-effects on cardiovascular health. Short periods of physical inactivity result in reductions in insulin sensitivity as well as vascular function. Circulating CD31+ T-cells (TANG) possess significant pro-angiogenic capabilities and may contribute to maintenance of endothelial...
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the biggest killer of people in western civilisation. Age is a significant risk factor for the development for CVD, and treatments and therapies to address this increased risk are crucial to quality of life and longevity. Exercise is one such intervention which has been shown to reduce CVD risk. Age is also associate...
Low-carbohydrate diets (LCD) are increasing in popularity, but their effect on vascular health has been questioned. Endothelial microvesicles (EMV) are membrane-derived vesicles with the potential to act as a sensitive prognostic biomarker of vascular health and endothelial function. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of a LCD on EM...
Aging is associated with endothelial dysfunction, reduced angiogenic capabilities, and an increase in arterial stiffness. Additionally, regular exercise is known to offset the age-related decline in blood vessel number and function. Circulating angiogenic cells are known to play an important role in vascular repair, and hence further investigation...
Objectives
Cell-derived microparticles (MPs) are small plasma membrane-derived vesicles shed from circulating blood cells and may act as novel biomarkers of vascular disease. We investigated the potential of circulating MPs to predict (a) carotid plaque instability and (b) the presence of advanced carotid disease.
Methods
This pilot study recruite...
BACKGROUND: Although low carbohydrate (CHO) diets have gained considerable popularity as a means of achieving weight loss, the effects on vascular health are not well established.
PURPOSE: To examine the influence of a 24-week low CHO diet on endothelial and inflammatory health biomarkers in overweight women.
METHODS: Twenty four women (aged 48±6 y...
The endothelium plays an important role in maintaining vascular homeostasis. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) are cells which take part in endothelial repair and angiogenesis. These EPCs are typically in low circulating numbers in disease states than healthy populations. Endothelial microparticles (EMP) are blebs of endothelial cell membranes whi...
Purpose: Microparticles (MP) are small membranous vesicles shed from formed elements such as circulating platelets and vascular endothelial cells. They express surface antigens characteristic of their cell-of-origin and contain DNA, RNA, miRNA and intracellular proteins. Depending on the dynamic morphological state of the parent cell, phenotypicall...
PURPOSE: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the Ireland and the EU and kills more people than all cancers combined. It accounts for 55% of all deaths in women across Europe and 43% of all deaths in men. The cost to the EU economy is 169 billion euro/year. Endothelial dysfunction induced by cardiovascular risk factors is c...
PURPOSE: Physiologically based exercise prescriptions normally involve identifying an intensity range that elicits a predetermined VO2 or heart rate. In many instances prescribed exercise that exceeds an individual's preferred level of intensity may establish a negative attitude toward physical activity. Longitudinal studies report that participant...
Questions
Questions (2)
Looking to perform intracellular staining on HUVECs in 96-well plates, but need to wash off excess permeabilization buffer and antibodies, but don't want to take them out of the wells if possible.
Looking to use phospho-antibody (Ser177) for p-eNOS staining by flow cytometry in human umbilical vein endothelial cells.