Activation of thymocyte responses to interleukin-1 by zinc.

In vitro proliferative responses of murine thymocytes to interleukin-1 are enhanced by supplementing the cultures with the trace nutrient zinc. Zine not only enhances the responses of cells suboptimally activated by PHA but can also prime the cells to respond to IL-1 in the absence of activation by PHA. Zinc affects the early stages of the proliferative response. The data suggest that zinc may enhance the cellular uptake of IL-1 or may facilitate enzymatic steps subsequent to IL-1 binding.