In vitro effects of nickel-sulphate on immune functions of normal and nickel-allergic subjects: a regulatory role for zinc.
Nickel hypersensitivity represents a very common human disease state, mainly occurring in females, defined as allergic contact dermatitis. Ni is a transition metal whose activity may be modulated by congeners. Zinc, an essential component for living organisms, has been shown to counteract Ni effects in patients with Ni hypersensitivity. We analysed immune responses to both Ni and Zn in healthy subjects and patients with allergic contact dermatitis to Ni. Our in vitro results show that Ni modulates surface receptors expression, reduces phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-driven lymphoproliferation, and upregulates some proinflammatory cytokines production, including interferon (IFN)-gamma. Zn also induced CD4+ lymphocyte proliferation, but it abolished or reduced most Ni-mediated effects. Our data are consistent with the hypothesis that Zn and Ni, as part of the heavy transition metals, may exchange roles in immune-mediated phenomena leading to expression of allergic contact dermatitis.
Paganelli
Roberto
R
Department of Medicine, University, "G. d'Annunzio", Chieti, Italy. rpaganel@unich.it
Buttari
Brigitta
B
Camera
Emanuela
E
Dell'Anna
Maria Lucia
ML
Mastrofrancesco
Arianna
A
Di Giampaolo
Luca
L
Reale
Marcella
M
Schiavone
Cosima
C
Verna
Nicola
N
Di Gioacchino
Mario
M
Sabbioni
Enrico
E
Boscolo
Paolo
P
Picardo
Mauro
M
D000328:Adult; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D002455:Cell Division; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000276:immunology; D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000378:metabolism; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000378:metabolism; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009532:Nickel / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors; D015032:Zinc / Q000737:chemistry
D017252:CD3 Complex; D016207:Cytokines; D007375:Interleukin-1; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D015847:Interleukin-4; C029938:nickel sulfate; D009532:Nickel; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D015032:Zinc