The Role of Zinc and Zinc Homeostasis in Macrophage Function.
J Immunol Res 2018;
2018:6872621. [PMID:
30622979 PMCID:
PMC6304900 DOI:
10.1155/2018/6872621]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2018] [Revised: 08/31/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Zinc has long been recognized as an essential trace element, playing roles in the growth and development of all living organisms. In recent decades, zinc homeostasis was also found to be important for the innate immune system, especially for maintaining the function of macrophages. It is now generally accepted that dysregulated zinc homeostasis in macrophages causes impaired phagocytosis and an abnormal inflammatory response. However, many questions remain with respect to the mechanisms that underlie these processes, particularly at the cellular and molecular levels. Here, we review our current understanding of the roles that zinc and zinc transporters play in regulating macrophage function.
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