In VitroEffects of Zinc Chloride on Spontaneous Sheep Red Blood Cell (E) Rosette Formation by Lymphocytes from Cancer Patients and Normal Subjects

Abstract

The in vitro spontaneous formation of sheep red blood cell (SRBC) (E) rosettes by peripheral blood lymphocytes is altered in vitro by the addition of micro-molar quantities of zinc chloride. Appropriate concentrations of zinc chloride cause marked enhancement of rosette formation, both in normal subjects and in cancer patients with low initial E rosette values. The effect is dependent upon zinc treatment of the lymphocyte and not the SRBC. Other zinc-induced effects on E rosettes include retardation of temperature-dependent spontaneous decay, increased mechanical stability due to enhanced of "capping." The formation of EAC rosettes is not altered by the presence of zinc.

Stability of E-rosettes in aged humans: Effect of cytochalasin B and colchicine

“…However, zinc, interacting with cytochalasin B sensitive structures [26], showed an age-dependent effect in inhibiting Con A capping only in the elderly [24]. This finding seems relevant to our model since zinc is able to slacken E-rosette disintegration and SRBC capping [27]. Nevertheless, zinc may exert its action at other steps of actin or even tubulin metabolism possibly through inhibition of activated calmodulin [28] or by interfering with membrane fluidity [27].…”