Roles of Zinc Signaling in the Immune System

Abstract

Zinc (Zn) is an essential micronutrient for basic cell activities such as cell growth, differentiation, and survival. Zn deficiency depresses both innate and adaptive immune responses. However, the precise physiological mechanisms of the Zn-mediated regulation of the immune system have been largely unclear. Zn homeostasis is tightly controlled by the coordinated activity of Zn transporters and metallothioneins, which regulate the transport, distribution, and storage of Zn. There is growing evidence that Zn behaves like a signaling molecule, facilitating the transduction of a variety of signaling cascades in response to extracellular stimuli. In this review, we highlight the emerging functional roles of Zn and Zn transporters in immunity, focusing on how crosstalk between Zn and immune-related signaling guides the normal development and function of immune cells.

The Influence of Nutrients on Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

“…is state in the body also contributes to atrophy of the thymus as well as reducing the number of mature T lymphocytes [77]. An appropriate level of zinc is important for the activation of T cells and their proper functioning [78]. In animal studies, zinc deficiency has been shown to reduce the production of IL-2, a factor that influences the growth of mainly cytotoxic T lymphocytes [78].…”

“…An appropriate level of zinc is important for the activation of T cells and their proper functioning [78]. In animal studies, zinc deficiency has been shown to reduce the production of IL-2, a factor that influences the growth of mainly cytotoxic T lymphocytes [78]. A deficiency may cause apoptosis of mature B lymphocytes and reduce the number of immature B lymphocytes.…”

Micronutrients and many important factors that affect the physiological functions of toll-like receptors

“…Appropriate levels of zinc are required for the proper functioning of the immune system while excessive zinc intake has shown negative effects on it (Wessels et al 2017). In innate immunity, zinc keeps the epithelial membrane of natural barrier structure and function (Hojyo and Fukada 2016). Acute zinc deficiency causes a decrease in innate immunity (Gruber and Rink 2013;Rink and Gabriel 2000), while chronic deficiency increases inflammation (Maares and Haase 2016;Barnett et al 2016).…”

Association between Field Liming and the Epidemic of Type 1 Diabetes

“…At present it is known 24 various Zn transporters, of which 14 mediate inward (into cytoplasm) Zn transport (ZIP family) and 10 mediate outward (from cytoplasm into extracellular space or into intracellular organelles) Zn transport (ZnT family). [23] In T cell activation dendritic cells or other antigen presenting cells (APC) form a contact with T cell, forming a kind of an immunologic synapse. In this contact peptide containing class I and/or class II MHC molecule (pMHC) on the surface of APC contacts cognate T cell receptor (TCR).…”

“…Zinc concentration increases particularly in the subsynaptic region of T cell (a kind of zinc wave). [23][24][25] Up to date experiments concerning the effects of zinc on immune activation has been done with Zinc salts (free Zn 2+ ion). No one studies done with complexated particle bound zinc cannot be found in literature.…”