Zinc depletion modifies CD5 expression by 70Z/3 murine pre-B leukemia cell line

CD5 expression on B cells is regulated by certain humoral factors. In a pre-B leukemia cell line 70Z/3, we found that interleukin 4 down-regulates it. Herein, we report that zinc influences spontaneous CD5 expression by this cell line as well as actions of these factors on CD5 expression considerably. In zinc-depleted culture media, spontaneous CD5 expression by 70Z/3 cells was enhanced. In contrast, the down-regulatory action of interleukin 4 was significantly reduced under culture conditions of zinc depletion. The supplementation of zinc to physiologic concentrations (1 to 2 microM) abolished such effects of zinc-depleted medium. The reduction of the suppressive action of interleukin 4 was observed at the level of gene expression. However, CD5 mRNA expression enhanced by lipopolysaccharide or NZB-SF was not further enhanced under conditions of zinc deficiency. These observations may suggest that CD5 expression by malignant or even normal B cells may be influenced by cellular/serum zinc levels.