Kinetics of the Zn 2+ -Stimulation of Human Peripheral Lymphocytes in Vitro

Abstract

Summary

Zn²⁺ induced DNA synthesis to a varying degree in all peripheral lymphocyte cultures from healthy adults and from human cord blood. The effect of zinc acetate, zinc aspartate, zinc chloride, and zinc sulfate was identical, optimal stimulant concentration ranging from 2.25 to 2.75 × 10^-4 M. Zinc-treated cultures did not show more cytotoxicity than untreated controls. Zn²⁺ stimulated few blast cells and little DNA synthesis at 3 days, but mitotic response and DNA synthesis occurred on day 6. A long contact of the stimulant with the cells seems to be necessary to induce maximal DNA synthesis on day 6.