The Role of Zinc in GM‐CSF‐Induced Signaling in Human Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes

Scope: Zinc is suggested to be necessary for functional signaling induced by certain growth factors. The granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF) is a key factor for differentiation and activation of myeloid cells. This report analyses the impact of different zinc concentrations on GM‐CSF‐induced signaling in mature polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN). Methods and results: As measured by flow cytometry, zinc increases surface GM‐CSF receptor (GM‐CSFR) in PMN, whereas monocytes respond with decreased GM‐CSFR surface expression. Since total cellular GM‐CSFR expression remains unaffected, the observed zinc‐induced GM‐CSFR surface dynamics may be explained by receptor redistribution. In PMN, zinc enhanced phosphorylation of mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPK) in a dose‐dependent manner as found in western blot. Zinc‐induced MAPK phosphorylation is additionally augmented by moderate GM‐CSF stimulation. Conclusion: The present study demonstrates the opposing influence of zinc on GM‐CSFR surface expression in monocytes and PMN. Zinc and GM‐CSF, use in optimized concentrations, augment MAPK signaling, and increase expression of MAPK‐induced myeloid cell leukemia‐1 (Mcl‐1) in PMN. Thus, this study concludes that zinc strengthens growth factor‐induced signaling. Hence, the study provides a basis for further in vivo studies, focusing on the therapeutic value of zinc in patients with a disturbed GM‐CSF signaling.

Object Details

• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: The Role of Zinc in GM‐CSF‐Induced Signaling in Human Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes ; day:31 ; month:05 ; year:2022 ; extent:10 ; Molecular nutrition & food research ; (31.05.2022) (gesamt 10)

Contributors, Places and Time

• Creator: van der Laan, Marijke ; Büttgenbach, Anna ; Wolf, Jana ; Rink, Lothar ; Wessels, Inga

Further information

• DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.202101106
• URN: urn:nbn:de:101:1-2022053115231188979050
• Rights: Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 15.08.2025, 7:29 AM CEST