title: In vitro effects of nickel-sulphate on immune functions of normal and nickel-allergic subjects: a regulatory role for zinc.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University, "G. d'Annunzio", Chieti, Italy. rpaganel@unich.it
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Paganelli
authors.forename: Brigitta
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Buttari
authors.forename: Emanuela
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Camera
authors.forename: Maria Lucia
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Dell'Anna
authors.forename: Arianna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mastrofrancesco
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Di Giampaolo
authors.forename: Marcella
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reale
authors.forename: Cosima
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schiavone
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Verna
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Di Gioacchino
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sabbioni
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Boscolo
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Picardo
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D017252:CD3 Complex; D016207:Cytokines; D007375:Interleukin-1; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D015847:Interleukin-4; C029938:nickel sulfate; D009532:Nickel; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D015032:Zinc