Dramatic shifts made in hematopoieic, lymphopoietic and myelopoietic compartments of the bone marrow by deficiencies in zinc as determined by flow cytometry. Data indicate that the first line of immune defense is protected perhaps as an adaptive response to malnutrition Apoptosis or Programmed Cell Death Apoptosis is a form of programmed cell death that plays a pivotal role in development and regulation of the immune system. However, it has become evident that apoptosis also plays a major role in a host of diseases including malnutrition, wasting, cancer, AIDS, Alzheimers, heart disease, stroke, neuronal damage, etc.
Glucocorticoids are one of the prime inducers of apoptosis among cells of the immune system.
More recently, we also discovered that nanomoles of free zinc can induce apoptosis in a variety of kinds of cells. Release of zinc within cells appears to play a role in neurological damage and may play a role in other situations where cells are under stress. Our lab has been a pioneer in the area of nutritional - immunology. We are interested in the fact that malnutrition and wasting have a rapid and adverse effect on the immune system. Thus, malnourished children as well as those suffering from cancer, AIDS, renal disease, chronic gastrointestinal disorders, etc., where malnutrition or wasting becomes a part of the disease have compromised immune systems.