SLC39A8 and infection: On the other hand, in certain infections like Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the zinc content in the phagosome is excessively increased, leading to zinc intoxication of the pathogen.536 When monocytes are stimulated with Mycobacterium bovis BCG cell wall, they induce ZIP8 expression, suggesting that extracellular zinc can be drawn in to fuel the host’s zinc poisoning strategy.131 Nutritional immunity and metal intoxication are feasible immune strategies to limit pathogen growth and control infection.