ZINC DEFICIENCY INDUCES FAS-MEDIATED APOPTOSIS

Abstract

Abstract. The aim of the present research was to study the expression of Fas-receptor and differentiation antigens CD3, CD4, CD8, CD16, CD20 on mononuclear cells of peripheral blood in the group of people with asimptomatic Zn-deficiency caused by geochemical conditions (the Zn level in the soil < 0,1 mg/kg and in human diet 9,1 mg /d at norm 15 mg/d). Simultaneously, we estimated lymphocyte proliferative activity characterizing the cell functional state contrary to apoptosis. We found the association of Zn - deficiency with insufficiency of the T-cell compartment of the immune system most likely caused by accelerated apoptosis of T-lymphocytes.

Keywords

• zinc deficiency
• apoptosis
• immunodeficiency