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Multiple impacts of zinc on immune function

Hajo Haase1, Lothar Rink

  • 1Institute of Immunology, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany. LRink@ukaachen.de.

Metallomics : Integrated Biometal Science
|February 18, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Zinc is vital for the immune system, with deficiency severely impacting immune responses. This review explores zinc

Area of Science:

  • Immunology and Trace Element Metabolism

Background:

  • Zinc is an essential trace element crucial for numerous physiological processes.
  • Zinc deficiency disproportionately impacts immune system function.
  • The precise roles of zinc in immunity are multifaceted and complex.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advancements in understanding zinc's role in immunity.
  • To highlight key areas including signal transduction, immune cell function, and nutritional immunity.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent scientific developments.
  • Synthesis of findings across cellular and molecular immunology.

Main Results:

  • Zinc acts as a critical second messenger in immune cell signal transduction pathways.
  • Adequate zinc levels are essential for optimal immune cell proliferation and function.
  • Nutritional immunity involves the host's competition with pathogens for zinc.

Conclusions:

  • Zinc plays diverse and indispensable roles in maintaining a robust immune system.
  • Understanding these roles is crucial for addressing immune dysfunction associated with zinc deficiency.

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