Zinc (Zn) is an essential micronutrient for basic cellular activities such as cell growth, differentiation, and survival. Although it is well-known that Zn regulates a great number of protein functions including enzymes and transcription factors as a structural and/or catalytic component, the growing evidences in last decades have changed our view of this essential trace element and brought new paradigm that Zn dynamically acts as a signaling molecule through Zn mediators such as Zn transporters, channels, and metallothioneins. These functions of Zn have been recognized as Zn signaling, which facilitates the transduction of a variety of signaling cascades in response to extracellular stimuli, and thus its imbalance can harm human health. Among the multifaceted effects of Zn deficiency, the hallmark symptom is immunodeficiency, accompanied with thymic atrophy, lymphopenia, and severe depressions of innate and adaptive immune responses, resulting in a high susceptibility to infections. However, the precise physiological mechanisms of the Zn-mediated regulation for the immune system have been still enigmatic.

In the proposed special issue, we will invite authors to submit the form of original research articles and reviews that address the roles of Zn and Zn mediators to shape immune system.

Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

• Roles of Zn and Zn mediators in the following:
• Immune cell development
• Immune cell homeostasis
• Innate immune response
• Adaptive immune response
• Immune cell signaling
• Inflammation
• Allergy
• Infectious diseases
• Autoimmune diseases
• Immune memory
• Immune evasion