title: Experimental zinc deficiency: effects on cellular responses and the affinity of humoral antibody.
abstract: Mice genetically selected for the production of either high- or low-affinity antibody were fed on diets sufficient or deficient in zinc. The effect of zinc deficiency on immune responses in these animals was analysed in terms of cell-mediated responses and the levels and affinity of antibody produced in response to immunization with T-dependent and T-independent antigens. In comparison with animals fed zinc-containing diets, mice fed zinc-deficient diets had reduced numbers of T cells and T-cell subsets, reduced proliferation to mitogens and specific antigen, and a decreased production of interleukin 2 (IL-2), but the number and affinity of IL-2 receptors were not affected. Furthermore, zinc-deficient animals produced reduced levels of antibody to the T-dependent antigen DNP-human serum albumin, but the affinity of this antibody was significantly elevated compared with that produced by zinc-sufficient animals. However, zinc deficiency had no effect on the levels and affinity of antibody produced to the T-independent antigen DNP-ficoll.
authors: Department of Clinical Sciences, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, England.
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Moulder
authors: M W
authors: MW
authors: Steward
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000915:Antibody Affinity; D000955:Antigens, T-Independent / Q000276:immunology; D004140:Dinitrophenols / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005362:Ficoll / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000276:immunology; D006241:Haptens / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000276:immunology; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D015032:Zinc / Q000172:deficiency*
chemical_list: D000955:Antigens, T-Independent; C031007:DNP-Ficoll; D004140:Dinitrophenols; D006241:Haptens; D012709:Serum Albumin; C045521:dinitrophenol-ovalbumin; C058064:dinitrophenyl-human serum albumin conjugate; D005362:Ficoll; D010047:Ovalbumin; D015032:Zinc