Zinc deficiency and energy restriction modify immune responses in mice during both primary and challenge infection with Heligmosomoides polygyrus (Nematoda).

This study characterized the consequences of zinc-sufficient (Zn+, 60 mg zinc/kg diet, ad libitum), zinc-deficient (Zn-075 mg zinc/kg diet, ad libitum) and energy-restricted (ER, 60 mg zinc/kg diet which was restricted to match food intake of Zn- mice) diets on the in vivo and in vitro immune response of BALB/c mice during both primary and challenge infection with Heligmosomoides polygyrus. In Zn+ mice, both primary and challenge infection with H. polygyrus induced not only a strong Th2 response (IgE, IgG1, eosinophilia, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10), but also elements of a TH1 response (IgG3, IFN-gamma). Zinc deficiency significantly depressed Th2-dependent antibody production during both primary and challenge infection, and reduced mitogen and antigen-induced T cell proliferation during the challenge infection. Th2 cytokine production was reduced by zinc deficiency (IL-4), energy restriction (IL-5) and by zinc deficiency possibly in combination with energy restriction (IL-10) during the primary infection whereas TH1 cytokine production (IFN-gamma) was depressed during the challenge infection by zinc deficiency, possibly together with energy restriction. Both zinc deficiency and energy restriction reduced eosinophilia with the more profound effect being exerted by zinc deficiency. Thus, both zinc deficiency and its concurrent energy restriction modify immune responses in the mice during primary and challenge infection with H. polygyrus.