Role of Zinc Signaling in the Regulation of Mast Cell-, Basophil-, and T Cell-Mediated Allergic Responses

Figure 4

Zinc suppresses autoimmune diseases by inhibiting STAT3 activation. Zinc directly binds STAT3, altering its structure. The structurally altered STAT3 molecule cannot effectively transduce the IL-6 signaling pathway; this pathway is critical for autoimmune diseases involving Th17 cells. Zn: zinc; IL-6: interleukin-6; STAT3: signal transducer and activator of transcription 3; JAK: Janus kinases.