Effect of methionine-enkephalin plus ZnCl2 on active T cell rosettes.

Methionine-enkephalin (Met-Enk) and ZnCl2 in combination enhances active T cell rosette formation of human peripheral blood lymphocytes to a greater degree than either of the agents used separately. Enhancement of rosette formation by Met-Enk plus ZnCl2 was not inhibited by the opiate receptor antagonist naloxone but was completely blocked by the zinc chelator 1,10-phenanthroline. The results suggest a relationship between zinc and Met-Enk and that zinc may be a modulator of enkephalin binding and function in the immune system as well as the nervous system.