Inhibition of apoptosis by ionomycin and zinc in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of leprosy patients

Abstract

PBMC from tuberculoid (BT/TT) and lepromatous leprosy (BL/LL) leprosy patients showed spontaneous apoptosis when cultured in the absence of mitogen for 24 h, which was inhibited by anti-tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) antibodies. Apoptosis was also inhibited by ionomycin and zinc, which also increased IL-2 and decreased TNF-α production. The increase in IL-2 production suggests a mechanism whereby dietary supplements with zinc might alter the cell-mediated immunity response in leprosy patients.