title: The Role of Copper and Zinc Toxicity in Innate Immune Defense against Bacterial Pathogens.
abstract: Zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) are essential for optimal innate immune function, and nutritional deficiency in either metal leads to increased susceptibility to bacterial infection. Recently, the decreased survival of bacterial pathogens with impaired Cu and/or Zn detoxification systems in phagocytes and animal models of infection has been reported. Consequently, a model has emerged in which the host utilizes Cu and/or Zn intoxication to reduce the intracellular survival of pathogens. This review describes and assesses the potential role for Cu and Zn intoxication in innate immune function and their direct bactericidal function.
authors.affiliation: From the School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences and Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia.
authors.forename: Karrera Y
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Djoko
authors.affiliation: From the School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences and Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia.
authors.forename: Cheryl-lynn Y
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Ong
authors.affiliation: From the School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences and Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia.
authors.forename: Mark J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.affiliation: From the School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences and Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia mcewan@uq.edu.au.
authors.forename: Alastair G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: McEwan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D001692:Biological Transport; D003300:Copper / Q000502:physiology*; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D015032:Zinc / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D003300:Copper; D015032:Zinc
keywords: bacterial pathogenesis; copper; innate immunity; metal homeostasis; zinc