MT1A and inflammation: The ratios of the relative gene expressions of MT1 and ZNT1 in the liver vs. the lung are shown in Figure 2, panel C. Taken together, the data presented in Figures 1 and 2 suggest that HIV-1-related protein expression produces a state of chronic liver inflammation that promotes hepatic zinc sequestration and, as a consequence, limits zinc bioavailability to other organs such as the lung.