title: Identification of human T cells that require zinc for growth.
abstract: Zinc is an essential trace element required for normal function of the immune system. Deficiency of zinc results in marked thymic atrophy in experimental animals, and in man immunodeficiency is a recognized complication of zinc deprivation. Although numerous proteins require zinc as a cofactor, its precise functions in the immune system remain unknown. The mechanism by which metals stimulate lymphocytes, whether all T cells are responsive, and the relationship to zinc requirements have not been determined. We unexpectedly isolated a number of human T-cell lines that have a highly specific requirement for zinc. The ability to respond to zinc resides in only a subset of T cells since antigen-specific clones are not stimulated by zinc. Although proliferation requires the presence of antigen-presenting cells and is restricted by class II MHC antigens, antigen-presenting cells could not be pulsed with zinc to induce T-cell activation. Our results suggest that zinc-dependent T cells are a subset of CD4+ cells present in all normal individuals and that zinc stimulates their growth by novel mechanisms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232-2605.
authors.forename: G G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Strittmatter
mesh_terms: D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000502:physiology; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000276:immunology; D017252:CD3 Complex; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000494:pharmacology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D015032:Zinc / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D017252:CD3 Complex; D006133:Growth Substances; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D007376:Interleukin-2; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D015032:Zinc