Zinc is an essential element for all living organisms, as it performs important functions in many biological processes; its presence was identified in over 300 enzymes. Due to the important functions it performs, living organisms have created mechanisms to maintain zinc ion homeostasis. In mammals, these mechanisms are also used to combat pathogens. Specialized immune cells are able to manipulate, in response to immune signals, intracellular and extracellular concentrations of zinc ions through metal-specific transporters and transfer proteins. These actions cause that the resulting environment becomes unfavourable for pathogens. The ability to rapidly regulate free zinc levels is critical to cytokine responses and the proliferation, and activation of cells belonging to the adaptive immune system.
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