Zinc supplementation among zinc-deficient vegetarians and vegans restores antiviral interferon-α response by upregulating interferon regulatory factor 3

Background & aims

Sufficient zinc status is crucial for undisturbed immune function. Further, dietary zinc requirements are mainly covered by animal products. Consequently, plant-based diets have been repeatedly linked to zinc deficiency. In the light of increasing popularity of plant-based diets, elucidating the impact of zinc deficiency on the innate immune system of vegetarians and vegans is of great interest. Although it has been previously shown that interferon (IFN) -α response towards viral stimuli can be enhanced by administering zinc in vitro, the underlying molecular process remains unknown. In this project, we investigate the effect of short-term, oral zinc supplementation in vivo on antiviral immune response and describe the potential molecular mechanism behind zinc-dependent interferon-α production.

Methods

Zinc status of omnivore, vegetarian and vegan subjects was determined by serum zinc measurement and a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Antiviral IFN-α response was measured in whole-blood and peripheral blood mononuclear cells upon viral stimulus. Furthermore, expression of interferon regulatory factor (IRF) 3, a positive regulator of IFNα, was quantified in each cohort. If zinc deficiency was detected, participants received oral zinc supplementation and tests were repeated afterwards.

Results

We observed a high prevalence of imminent or manifest zinc deficiency among vegetarians and vegans. Compared to omnivores, IFNα response and IRF3 levels were significantly reduced. Moreover, we were able to enhance zinc status, increase IRF3 expression and reconstitute IFNα response by oral zinc supplementation.

Conclusion

We identified zinc-dependent IRF3 expression as an essential cellular mechanism behind impaired IFNα response in zinc-deficient subjects. This may contribute to disturbed antiviral immunity and cause increased susceptibility to virus infections in vivo. Oral zinc supplementation effectively restored IRF3 and IFNα levels. Hence, nutritional interventions may become increasingly important in order to prevent health implications from micronutrient deficiencies among vegetarians and vegans.