Fig. 8.

Zinc deficiency enhances the expression of NF-κB-responsive genes in primary human lung epithelial cells. A: primary human lung epithelial cells (hLECs) were cultured onto collagen-coated, semipermeable membranes. TPEN (20 μM) or zinc (5 μM) were used to modify zinc status as previously described. Cells were then stimulated with TNFα (10 ng/ml) for 6 h to activate the NF-κB pathway. Total RNA was isolated, and the expression of NF-κB target genes was measured. B: in addition, culture supernatants were obtained and measured to determine IL-6 and ICAM-1 concentrations (total donor number: n = 3; *Zn⁻/CLP vs. Ctrl/CLP, P < 0.05; ‡Zn⁺/CLP vs. Zn⁻/CLP, P < 0.05). MnSOD, manganese superoxide dismutase.