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Mickael ME, Kubick N, Dragan M, Atanasov AG, Ławiński M, Paszkiewicz J, Horbańczuk JO, Religa P, Thorne A, Sacharczuk M. The impact of BDNF and CD4 + T cell crosstalk on depression. Immunol Res 2024:10.1007/s12026-024-09514-4. [PMID: 38980567 DOI: 10.1007/s12026-024-09514-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Michel-Edwar Mickael
- Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, 05-552, JastrzebiecMagdalenka, Poland.
| | - Norwin Kubick
- Department of Biology, Institute of Plant Science and Microbiology, University of Hamburg, Ohnhorststr. 18, 22609, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Małgorzata Dragan
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Warsaw, Krakowskie Przedmieście26/28, 00-927, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Atanas G Atanasov
- Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, 05-552, JastrzebiecMagdalenka, Poland
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute Digital Health and Patient Safety, Medical University of Vienna, Spitalgasse 23, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michał Ławiński
- Department of General, Gastroenterology and Oncologic Surgery, Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1a, 02-097, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Justyna Paszkiewicz
- Department of Health, John Paul II University of Applied Sciences in Biala Podlaska, Sidorska 95/97, 21-500, Biała Podlaska, Poland
| | - Jarosław Olav Horbańczuk
- Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, 05-552, JastrzebiecMagdalenka, Poland
| | - Piotr Religa
- Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, 171 77, Solna, Sweden
| | - Ana Thorne
- Medical Faculty, University of Nis, Bulevar Dr Zorana Djidjica 81, 18000, Nis, Serbia
| | - Mariusz Sacharczuk
- Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, 05-552, JastrzebiecMagdalenka, Poland.
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Kuring JK, Mathias JL, Ward L, Tachas G. Inflammatory markers in persons with clinically-significant depression, anxiety or PTSD: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Psychiatr Res 2023; 168:279-292. [PMID: 37931509 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2023.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Depression, anxiety and PTSD appear to be risk factors for dementia, but it is unclear whether they are causal or prodromal. The inflammatory-mediated neurodegeneration hypothesis suggests a causal link, proposing that mental illness is associated with an inflammatory response which, in turn, triggers neurodegenerative changes that lead to dementia. Existing meta-analyses have yet to examine inflammatory markers in depression, anxiety or PTSD with the view to exploring the inflammatory-mediated neurodegeneration hypothesis. The current meta-analysis therefore examined whether: a) depression, anxiety and PTSD are individually associated with inflammation, independently of comorbid mental illnesses and physical health problems with known inflammatory responses, and b) there are any similarities in the inflammatory profiles of these disorders in order to provide a basis for exploring inflammation in people with dementia who have a history of clinically-significant anxiety, depression or PTSD. METHODS PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO and CINAHL searches identified 64 eligible studies. RESULTS Depression is associated with an inflammatory response, with tentative evidence to suggest anxiety and PTSD are also associated with inflammation. However, the specific response may differ across these disorders. LIMITATIONS The data for anxiety, PTSD and multiple inflammatory markers were limited. CONCLUSIONS Depression, anxiety, and PTSD each appear to be associated with an inflammatory response in persons who do not have comorbid mental or physical health problems that are known to be associated with inflammation. Whether this inflammatory response underlies the increased risk of dementia in persons with a history of depression and anxiety, and possibly PTSD, remains to be determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- J K Kuring
- Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - J L Mathias
- Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.
| | - L Ward
- Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - G Tachas
- Antisense Therapeutics Ltd, Melbourne, Australia
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Foley ÉM, Parkinson JT, Mitchell RE, Turner L, Khandaker GM. Peripheral blood cellular immunophenotype in depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:1004-1019. [PMID: 36577838 PMCID: PMC10005954 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01919-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Meta-analyses implicate immune dysfunction in depression confirming increased levels of circulating immune proteins (e.g., cytokines) in depression cases compared to controls. White blood cells (WBC) both produce and are influenced by cytokines, and play key roles in orchestrating innate and adaptive immune responses, but their role in depression remains unclear. Therefore, a systematic review of studies of various WBC subsets in depression is required for a greater understanding of the nature of immune dysfunction in this illness. METHODS We searched PubMed and PsycINFO databases (inception to 5th April 2022) and conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of identified studies comparing absolute count and/or relative percentage of flow cytometry-derived WBC subsets between depression cases and controls. Selected studies were quality assessed. Random-effect meta-analysis was performed. RESULTS Thirty-three studies were included and 27 studies (n = 2277) were meta-analysed. We report an increase in mean absolute counts of WBC (seven studies; standardised mean difference [SMD] = 1.07; 95% CI, 0.61-1.53; P < 0.01; I2 = 64%), granulocytes (two studies; SMD = 2.07; 95% CI, 1.45-2.68; P < 0.01; I2 = 0%), neutrophils (four studies; SMD = 0.91; 95% CI, 0.23-1.58; P < 0.01; I2 = 82%), monocytes (seven studies; SMD = 0.60; 95% CI, 0.19-1.01; P < 0.01; I2 = 66%), CD4+ helper T cells (11 studies; SMD = 0.30; 95% CI, 0.15-0.45; P < 0.01; I2 = 0%), natural killer cells (11 studies; SMD = 1.23; 95% CI, 0.38-2.08; P < 0.01; I2 = 95%), B cells (10 studies; SMD = 0.30; 95% CI, 0.03-0.57; P = 0.03; I2 = 56%), and activated T cells (eight studies; SMD = 0.45; 95% CI, 0.24-0.66; P < 0.01; I2 = 0%) in depression, compared to controls. Fewer studies reported relative percentage, indicating increased neutrophils and decreased total lymphocytes, Th1, and Th2 cells in depression. CONCLUSIONS Depression is characterised by widespread alterations in circulating myeloid and lymphoid cells, consistent with dysfunction in both innate and adaptive immunity. Immune cells could be useful biomarkers for illness subtyping and patient stratification in future immunotherapy trials of depression, along with cytokines, other biomarkers, and clinical measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Éimear M Foley
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
- Centre for Academic Mental Health, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
| | - Joel T Parkinson
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Ruth E Mitchell
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Lorinda Turner
- Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology and Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- bit.bio, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge, UK
| | - Golam M Khandaker
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Centre for Academic Mental Health, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- NIHR Bristol Biomedical Research Centre, Bristol, UK
- Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust, Bristol, UK
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M1/M2 polarization in major depressive disorder: Disentangling state from trait effects in an individualized cell-culture-based approach. Brain Behav Immun 2021; 94:185-195. [PMID: 33607231 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2021.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Revised: 02/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence indicates the specific involvement of inflammatory processes in major depressive disorder (MDD), particularly affecting innate immunity. Most immune alterations have so far been determined based on plasma or cerebrospinal fluid cytokine levels. To precisely characterize putative innate immune-mediated mechanisms in MDD pathogenesis, we sought to disentangle "state" from "trait" effects in a patient-specific cell model by quantifying the impact of patient-derived autologous sera (AS) on patient-specific monocyte-derived macrophages (Mo-MФs) polarization in vitro. Mo-MФs were generated from 28 patients with moderate to severe MDD and 28 age-, sex-, smoking status- and BMI-matched healthy controls (HC). Cells were treated either with AS or fetal calf serum (FCS) and polarized into M1 (LPS), M2 (IL-10, IL-4, TGF-β) or M0 (unstimulated) macrophages. Polarization capacity was quantified by means of specific M1 (CCR7, CD86, CXCL10, IL-12p70, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, IL-12p40, IL-23, IP-10) and M2 (CD206, IL-10, TARC, IL-1RA) markers. Compared to HC, significantly increased M1-polarization was observed for MDD patients in the presence of FCS, however, polarization in AS enriched media determined an increased M2-polarization in patients. Moreover, female MDD patients exhibited increased M1- and decreased M2-polarization in both conditions compared to male MDD patients. Our data suggests that Mo-MФs derived from patients with MDD exhibit facilitated M1-polarization under traditional cell culture conditions and an increased potential for M2-polarization when cultured in AS. Striking inter-individual variation and pronounced gender effects highlight the potential utility of our personalized cell model-based approach to aid diagnostic and therapeutic decisions.
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Rainville JR, Hodes GE. Inflaming sex differences in mood disorders. Neuropsychopharmacology 2019; 44:184-199. [PMID: 29955150 PMCID: PMC6235877 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-018-0124-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2018] [Revised: 06/07/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Men and women often experience different symptoms or rates of occurrence for a variety of mood disorders. Many of the symptoms of mood disorders overlap with autoimmune disorders, which also have a higher prevalence in women. There is a growing interest in exploring the immune system to provide biomarkers for diagnosis of mood disorders, along with new targets for developing treatments. This review examines known sex differences in the immune system and their relationship to mood disorders. We focus on immune alterations associated with unipolar depression, bipolar depression, and anxiety disorders. We describe work from both basic and clinical research examining potential immune mechanisms thought to contribute to stress susceptibility and associated mood disorders. We propose that sex and age are important, intertwined factors that need to be included in future experimental designs if we are going to harness the power of the immune system to develop a new wave of treatments for mood disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer R Rainville
- Department of Neuroscience, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1981 Kraft Drive, Blacksburg, VA, 24060, USA
| | - Georgia E Hodes
- Department of Neuroscience, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1981 Kraft Drive, Blacksburg, VA, 24060, USA.
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Rodrigues FTS, de Souza MRM, Lima CNDC, da Silva FER, Costa DVDS, Dos Santos CC, Miyajima F, de Sousa FCF, Vasconcelos SMM, Barichello T, Quevedo J, Maes M, de Lucena DF, Macedo D. Major depression model induced by repeated and intermittent lipopolysaccharide administration: Long-lasting behavioral, neuroimmune and neuroprogressive alterations. J Psychiatr Res 2018; 107:57-67. [PMID: 30326340 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2018.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Revised: 08/14/2018] [Accepted: 10/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Major depressed patients show increased bacterial translocation with elevated plasma levels of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which may trigger immune-inflammatory and neuro-oxidative responses. Recently, an animal model based on chronic LPS administration was developed which was associated with long-lasting depressive-like and neuro-oxidative alterations in female mice. The aim of the current study was to investigate behavioral, neuroimmune and neuroprogressive alterations in female mice 6 weeks after LPS chronic exposure. Female mice received increasing doses of LPS during 5 days at one-month intervals repeated for 4 consecutive months. Six weeks after the last LPS-exposure, we assessed behavioral despair and anhedonia, microglial activation, alterations in tryptophan, 5-HT, kynurenine, quinolinic acid (QUIN) levels and spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase (SAT1) expression in the hippocampus, both with and without fluoxetine administration. Our results show that six weeks post-LPS, mice present behavioral despair and anhedonia in association with increased IBA1 expression (a microglia activation marker), NF-kB p65 and IL-1β levels, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO1) mRNA expression, kynurenine, QUIN levels and QUIN/tryptophan ratio, and lowered tryptophan, 5-HT levels and SAT1 mRNA expression. Fluoxetine reversed the behavioral and neuroimmune alterations but had no effect in the reversal of IDO1 increased expression, QUIN levels and QUIN/tryptophan ratio. In conclusion, our results support the validity of the chronic LPS model of major depression and additionally shows its translational relevance with respect to neuroimmune and neuroprogressive pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisca Taciana Sousa Rodrigues
- Neuropharmacology Laboratory, Drug Research and Development Center, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
| | - Marcos Romário Matos de Souza
- Neuropharmacology Laboratory, Drug Research and Development Center, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
| | - Camila Nayane de Carvalho Lima
- Neuropharmacology Laboratory, Drug Research and Development Center, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
| | - Francisco Eliclécio Rodrigues da Silva
- Neuropharmacology Laboratory, Drug Research and Development Center, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
| | | | - Cláudio Costa Dos Santos
- Universidade Federal do Semiárido, Centro de Engenharias, Departamento de Engenharia e Tecnologia, Mossoró, RN, Brazil.
| | - Fábio Miyajima
- Neuropharmacology Laboratory, Drug Research and Development Center, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil; Fundação Oswaldo Cruz - FIOCRUZ-CE, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil.
| | - Francisca Cléa F de Sousa
- Neuropharmacology Laboratory, Drug Research and Development Center, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Silvânia Maria Mendes Vasconcelos
- Neuropharmacology Laboratory, Drug Research and Development Center, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
| | - Tatiana Barichello
- Translational Psychiatry Program, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 1941 East Road, Houston, TX, 77054, USA; Laboratory of Neurosciences, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Health Sciences Unit, University of Southern Santa Catarina-UNESC, Criciúma, SC, Brazil; Center of Excellence on Mood Disorders, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - João Quevedo
- Translational Psychiatry Program, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 1941 East Road, Houston, TX, 77054, USA; Laboratory of Neurosciences, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Health Sciences Unit, University of Southern Santa Catarina-UNESC, Criciúma, SC, Brazil; Center of Excellence on Mood Disorders, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Michael Maes
- Impact Strategic Research Center, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
| | - David F de Lucena
- Neuropharmacology Laboratory, Drug Research and Development Center, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
| | - Danielle Macedo
- Neuropharmacology Laboratory, Drug Research and Development Center, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil; National Institute for Translational Medicine (INCT-TM, CNPq), Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.
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Morris G, Reiche EMV, Murru A, Carvalho AF, Maes M, Berk M, Puri BK. Multiple Immune-Inflammatory and Oxidative and Nitrosative Stress Pathways Explain the Frequent Presence of Depression in Multiple Sclerosis. Mol Neurobiol 2018; 55:6282-6306. [PMID: 29294244 PMCID: PMC6061180 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-017-0843-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2017] [Accepted: 12/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Patients with a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) or major depressive disorder (MDD) share a wide array of biological abnormalities which are increasingly considered to play a contributory role in the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of both illnesses. Shared abnormalities include peripheral inflammation, neuroinflammation, chronic oxidative and nitrosative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, gut dysbiosis, increased intestinal barrier permeability with bacterial translocation into the systemic circulation, neuroendocrine abnormalities and microglial pathology. Patients with MS and MDD also display a wide range of neuroimaging abnormalities and patients with MS who display symptoms of depression present with different neuroimaging profiles compared with MS patients who are depression-free. The precise details of such pathology are markedly different however. The recruitment of activated encephalitogenic Th17 T cells and subsequent bidirectional interaction leading to classically activated microglia is now considered to lie at the core of MS-specific pathology. The presence of activated microglia is common to both illnesses although the pattern of such action throughout the brain appears to be different. Upregulation of miRNAs also appears to be involved in microglial neurotoxicity and indeed T cell pathology in MS but does not appear to play a major role in MDD. It is suggested that the antidepressant lofepramine, and in particular its active metabolite desipramine, may be beneficial not only for depressive symptomatology but also for the neurological symptoms of MS. One clinical trial has been carried out thus far with, in particular, promising MRI findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerwyn Morris
- IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia
| | - Edna Maria Vissoci Reiche
- Department of Pathology, Clinical Analysis, and Toxicology, Health Sciences Center, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Andrea Murru
- Bipolar Disorders Program, Hospital Clínic Barcelona, IDIBAPS, CIBERSAM, Barcelona, Spain
| | - André F Carvalho
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Translational Psychiatry Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Michael Maes
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Michael Berk
- IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical University Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Brazil
- Revitalis, Waalre, The Netherlands
- Orygen - The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, The Department of Psychiatry and the Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Basant K Puri
- Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK.
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Tryptophan catabolites along the indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase pathway as a biological link between depression and cancer. Behav Pharmacol 2018. [DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0000000000000384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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Severe depression is associated with increased microglial quinolinic acid in subregions of the anterior cingulate gyrus: evidence for an immune-modulated glutamatergic neurotransmission? J Neuroinflammation 2011; 8:94. [PMID: 21831269 PMCID: PMC3177898 DOI: 10.1186/1742-2094-8-94] [Citation(s) in RCA: 422] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2011] [Accepted: 08/10/2011] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Immune dysfunction, including monocytosis and increased blood levels of interleukin-1, interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor α has been observed during acute episodes of major depression. These peripheral immune processes may be accompanied by microglial activation in subregions of the anterior cingulate cortex where depression-associated alterations of glutamatergic neurotransmission have been described. Methods Microglial immunoreactivity of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptor agonist quinolinic acid (QUIN) in the subgenual anterior cingulate cortex (sACC), anterior midcingulate cortex (aMCC) and pregenual anterior cingulate cortex (pACC) of 12 acutely depressed suicidal patients (major depressive disorder/MDD, n = 7; bipolar disorder/BD, n = 5) was analyzed using immunohistochemistry and compared with its expression in 10 healthy control subjects. Results Depressed patients had a significantly increased density of QUIN-positive cells in the sACC (P = 0.003) and the aMCC (P = 0.015) compared to controls. In contrast, counts of QUIN-positive cells in the pACC did not differ between the groups (P = 0.558). Post-hoc tests showed that significant findings were attributed to MDD and were absent in BD. Conclusions These results add a novel link to the immune hypothesis of depression by providing evidence for an upregulation of microglial QUIN in brain regions known to be responsive to infusion of NMDA antagonists such as ketamine. Further work in this area could lead to a greater understanding of the pathophysiology of depressive disorders and pave the way for novel NMDA receptor therapies or immune-modulating strategies.
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Başterzi AD, Yazici K, Buturak V, Cimen B, Yazici A, Eskandari G, Tot Acar S, Taşdelen B. Effects of venlafaxine and fluoxetine on lymphocyte subsets in patients with major depressive disorder: a flow cytometric analysis. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2010; 34:70-5. [PMID: 19804808 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2009.09.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2009] [Revised: 09/14/2009] [Accepted: 09/27/2009] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies have yielded conflicting results concerning flow cytometric lymphocyte analyses in patients with depression. Data about the effect of antidepressants on lymphocyte subsets are also contradictory. The aim of this study was to determine effects of venlafaxine versus fluoxetine on lymphocyte subsets in depressive patients. METHODS Sixty-nine patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD) according to DSM-IV and 36 healthy controls are included in the study. Sixty-nine patients were randomized to take fluoxetine (FLX) (n=33) or venlafaxine (VEN) (n=36). Serum lymphocyte subsets included CD3, CD4, CD8, CD16/56, CD19, CD45, Anti-HLA-DR which were measured by flow cytometric analyses at baseline and 6 weeks after the start of treatment. The severity of depression was evaluated with Hamilton rating scale for depression. RESULTS At baseline, patients with MDD had significantly lower CD16/56 ratio and higher CD45 ratio compared to the controls. Although numerically higher in the VEN treated patients, treatment response rates between the FLX (53%) and the VEN (75%) groups were not different statistically. CD45 values decreased significantly in the VEN group at the end of the 6 week treatment period whereas no difference was observed in the FLX group. By the 6th week, treatment responders showed a significantly higher CD16/56 ratio than non-responders. Baseline severity of depression and anxiety was positively correlated with baseline CD45 ratio and negatively correlated with baseline CD16/56 ratio. We did not observe consistent changes in the absolute number of circulating B or T cells, nor in the helper/inducer (CD4) or suppressor/cytotoxic (CD8) subsets. CONCLUSIONS CD16/56 was lower in patients with MDD and increased in treatment responders at 6th week. CD45 ratio was higher in patients with MDD than healthy subjects; it decreased with antidepressant treatment and was positively correlated with the severity of depression. Antidepressant treatment contributes to immune regulation in patients with major depressive disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayşe Devrim Başterzi
- Department of Psychiatry, Mersin University Faculty of Medicine, Zeytinlibahçe Cad., 33079-Mersin, Turkey.
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González A, Fazzino F, Castillo M, Mata S, Lima L. Serotonin, 5-HT1A serotonin receptors and proliferation of lymphocytes in major depression patients. Neuroimmunomodulation 2007; 14:8-15. [PMID: 17700035 DOI: 10.1159/000107283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2006] [Accepted: 01/23/2007] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Serotonin receptors are present in lymphocytes and might be related to the functionality of these cells in health and in pathology. The serotonergic system is affected in the brain and in peripheral immune cells of depressed patients. The objectives of this work were to evaluate the basal proliferation of lymphocytes, the response to the mitogen concanavalin A, and the role of serotonin 5-HT(1A) receptors. Twenty-nine patients, 19-52 years old, were diagnosed for a major depression episode with the Statistical and Diagnostic Manual-IV of the American Psychiatric Association, approved by ethic committees and gave written consent. The Hamilton depression score was 30.60 +/- 2.65. An apparently healthy group without a family history of psychiatric illness was included. Blood peripheral lymphocytes were isolated by density gradients with Ficoll/Hypaque and differential adhesion to plastic, cultured in 96-well plaques with RPMI-1640 medium with or without 4 mug/ml of concanavalin A. 8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (5-40 nM) and WAY-100,478 (0.1-100 microM), agonist and antagonist of 5-HT(1A) receptors, serotonin (12.5-100 nM) or imipramine (0.1-100 microM) were also added. Proliferation was evaluated at 72 h with 3-[4,5-dimethythiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, and the optical density was 570 nm. Basal proliferation was three times higher in depressed patients than in controls, whereas no response to mitogen was obtained, and 5-HT(1A) receptors significantly reacted to the agonist, with increases of about 31-54% at 10, 20 and 40 nM of the specific agonist, indicating initial activation probably in relation to autoimmunity and overreactivity of these receptors in depression. The antagonist reduced proliferation in mitogen-stimulated lymphocytes, 50% in controls and 70% in depressed patients, with a differential concentration dependency; probably, these receptors are more sensitive in depression due to increased 5-HT(1A) receptor transduction. The antagonist also reduced the stimulation produced by the 5-HT(1A) agonist. Imipramine caused biphasic effects according to concentrations, showing a possible dual role for serotonin, although all values were significantly higher in depressed subjects. The described alterations might be of relevance in the pathophysiology of depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfonso González
- Laboratorio de Neuroquímica, Centro de Biofísica y Bioquímica, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas, Caracas, Venezuela
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Tsao CW, Lin YS, Chen CC, Bai CH, Wu SR. Cytokines and serotonin transporter in patients with major depression. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2006; 30:899-905. [PMID: 16616982 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2006.01.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 154] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/30/2006] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Altered cytokine secretion as a mechanism in the etiology of depression is still obscure. The serotonin transporter (5-HTT) may play an important role in the termination of serotonergic neurotransmission by serotonin (5-HT) uptaking into presynaptic neurons and representing as an initial action site for selective 5-HTT reuptake inhibitors (SSRI). In our study, we evaluated whether cytokines and 5-HTT acted as biological markers for depression. Blood samples were collected from 42 participants. The differences in cytokine and 5-HTT mRNA expressions of leukocytes were assessed between the patients with major depression (n=20) and the healthy controls (n=22), along with the measurements prior and after treatment with a SSRI, fluoxetine, for 3 months in the follow-up patient group (n=8). The results revealed that the mRNA expressions of IL-1beta, IL-6, IFNgamma, TNFalpha, and 5-HTT were higher in the depressed patients than those of the healthy controls. The higher level of mRNA expressions of IFNgamma and 5-HTT diminished after fluoxetine treatment. Furthermore, we found a positive correlation between 5-HTT and cytokines mRNA expressions in total participants, which suggested that pro-inflammatory cytokines and 5-HTT might play critical roles in the pathogenesis of major depression and that their levels were affected by chronic treatment with 5-HTT inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiung-Wen Tsao
- Department of Nursing, Chung Hwa College of Medical Technology, Tainan County, Taiwan
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13
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Pavón L, Sandoval-López G, Eugenia Hernández M, Loría F, Estrada I, Pérez M, Moreno J, Avila U, Leff P, Antón B, Heinze G. Th2 cytokine response in Major Depressive Disorder patients before treatment. J Neuroimmunol 2006; 172:156-65. [PMID: 16457895 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2005.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2005] [Accepted: 08/22/2005] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
In Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), the neuroendocrine and immune systems interactions are impaired. We investigated the pro/anti-inflammatory Th1/Th2 cytokine balance in MDD patients and in non-depressed control group. The MDD subjects showed higher levels of cortisol and TNF-alpha, increased CD3+CD8+ and NK percentages, diminished B cell counts and no significant variations in CD3+CD4+ lymphocyte. Moreover, higher levels of IL-4 and IL-13 (Th2) and significantly lower measurements of IL-2 and IFN-gamma (Th1) cytokines were also observed in the MDD group. Overall, we propose that all these changes could be related to the elevated cortisol levels seen in the MDD patients. Further studies are necessary to explore these findings and its implication in future therapeutic approach of MDD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lenin Pavón
- Department of Psychoimmunology, National Institute of Psychiatry Ramón de la Fuente, México
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14
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Tsuboi H, Kawamura N, Hori R, Kobayashi F, Iwasaki Y, Takeuchi H, Fukino O. Depressive symptoms and life satisfaction in elderly women are associated with natural killer cell number and cytotoxicity. Int J Behav Med 2005; 12:236-43. [PMID: 16262542 DOI: 10.1207/s15327558ijbm1204_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
Well-preserved natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity (NKCC) is associated with healthy aging. The objective of the survey was to investigate psychological factors related to NKCC and NK cell populations in elderly women. A cross-sectional study involving 181 participants was conducted using the Japanese version of the 28-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and additional questions assessing psychological status and lifestyle. Spearman's rank test revealed a significant negative correlation between NKCC and the GHQ depression subscale (GHQ-D) scores. Significantly reduced NKCC was found in participants presenting high GHQ-D scores (12 < or = GHQ-D, n = 58) compared with those showing middle (8 < or = GHQ-D < or = 11, n = 55) or low (GHQ-D = 7, n = 68) scores. Adjusting for covariates regarding lifestyle, multiple logistic regression analysis was applied; consequently, significant associations were found between reduced NKCC and high depressive symptoms and between increased NK cell numbers and life satisfaction. These results indicated a clue to longitudinal studies in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hirohito Tsuboi
- Department of Health and Psychosocial Medicine, Aichi Medical University School of Medicine, Nagakute-cho, Aichi 480-1195, Japan.
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15
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Schlatter J, Ortuño F, Cervera-Enguix S. Lymphocyte subsets and lymphokine production in patients with melancholic versus nonmelancholic depression. Psychiatry Res 2004; 128:259-65. [PMID: 15541783 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2004.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2003] [Accepted: 06/04/2004] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Several studies have reported immune changes during depression, but the results have not been fully consistent. Some of these changes could be related to the presence of melancholic features. A total of 42 depressed patients (melancholic [MEL] and nonmelancholic [non-MEL]) and 20 healthy controls participated in the study. We detected a higher CD4+ lymphocyte subset in MEL patients than in controls during the depressive state, which disappeared after clinical remission. We also found an increase in interleukin-2 (IL-2) production both in MEL and non-MEL patients, but these values did not differ from control values after clinical remission. Some of these changes may be related to the melancholic characteristics of depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Schlatter
- University Clinic, Department of Psychiatry and Medical Psychology, University of Navarra, 31080 Pamplona, Spain.
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16
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Gladkevich A, Kauffman HF, Korf J. Lymphocytes as a neural probe: potential for studying psychiatric disorders. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2004; 28:559-76. [PMID: 15093964 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2004.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 271] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/30/2004] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
There is an increasing body evidence pointing to a close integration between the central nervous system (CNS) and immunological functions with lymphocytes playing therein a central role. The authors provide arguments to consider blood lymphocytes as a convenient probe of--an albeit--limited number of cellular functions, including gene expression. The use of brain biopsies of living patients is unrealistic for biochemical investigation, therefore lymphocytes may be a convenient and accessible alternative. Numerous studies showed similarities between receptor expression and mechanisms of transduction processes of cells in the nervous system (e.g. neurons and glia) and lymphocytes. In several neuropsychiatric disorders, alteration of metabolism and cellular functions in the CNS, as well as disturbances in the main neurotransmitter and hormonal systems are concomitant with altered function and metabolism of blood lymphocytes. We summarize relevant investigations on depression, stress, Alzheimer's disease (AD) and schizophrenia. New techniques such as cDNA microarray gene expression and proteomics may give clues to define molecular abnormalities in psychiatric disorders and could eventually reveal information for diagnostic and treatment purposes. Taken together, these considerations suggest that lymphocyte could reflect the metabolism of brain cells, and may be exploited as a neural and possible genetic probe in studies of psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anatoliy Gladkevich
- Department of Biological Psychiatry, University Hospital Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
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17
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Bauer ME, Papadopoulos A, Poon L, Perks P, Lightman SL, Checkley S, Shanks N. Dexamethasone-induced effects on lymphocyte distribution and expression of adhesion molecules in treatment-resistant depression. Psychiatry Res 2002; 113:1-15. [PMID: 12467941 DOI: 10.1016/s0165-1781(02)00243-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Alterations in immune function are associated with major depression and have been related to changes in endocrine function. We investigated whether alterations in immune function were associated with altered basal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) function (salivary cortisol) and lymphocyte sensitivity to dexamethasone (DEX) intake (1 mg PO). The latter was explored by comparing the impact of DEX-induced changes on peripheral lymphocyte redistribution and expression of adhesion molecules (beta2 integrins and L-selectin). The study included 36 inpatients with treatment-resistant major depression (unipolar subtype) and 31 matched healthy controls. The dexamethasone suppression test (DST) was carried out and used to classify 10 patients as HPA axis non-suppressors. The latter presented significantly higher post-DEX salivary cortisol levels than DST suppressors, 82.0 vs. 8.9 nM l(-1) h(-1). No differences in basal salivary cortisol levels were found between patients and controls. Changes in cell redistribution (CD4(+), CD8(+), CD19(+), CD56(+) and HLADR(+) cells) after DEX administration were more prominent in controls than in patients, but the effects of DEX varied dependent on whether patients exhibited DEX-induced suppression of cortisol secretion. Glucocorticoid-induced suppression of adhesion molecule expression was also generally less marked in patients than controls. Our data indicate that alterations in immune function and steroid regulation associated with depression are not related to elevated basal levels of cortisol and further suggest that lymphocyte steroid resistance is associated with drug-resistant depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moisés E Bauer
- Department of Microbiology, Faculdade de Biociências, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Caixa Postal 1429, 90619-900, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
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18
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Rothermundt M, Arolt V, Peters M, Gutbrodt H, Fenker J, Kersting A, Kirchner H. Inflammatory markers in major depression and melancholia. J Affect Disord 2001; 63:93-102. [PMID: 11246085 DOI: 10.1016/s0165-0327(00)00157-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is evidence that patients with major depression (MD) also suffer an inflammatory immune reaction. However, the results remain ambiguous. This could be due to the psychiatrically heterogeneous patient samples investigated in many published studies. Since melancholic depression is psychopathologically and possibly etiologically different from non-melancholic MD, we focused on investigating immune parameters in these two subgroups. METHODS 43 in-patients suffering from acute major depression were diagnosed, sub-classified according to DSM IV criteria, and compared to 43 matched healthy controls. Cell counts were determined by morphology, and acute phase proteins [c-reactive protein (CRP), alpha(2)-macroglobulin (A2M), haptoglobin (HP)] were measured by laser nephelometry. Cytokine production (IL-1beta) upon mitogen stimulation was measured by ELISA in a whole blood assay. RESULTS Non-melancholic patients showed increased monocyte counts and A2M serum concentrations in the acute stage of disease and after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment. Melancholic patients demonstrated a decreased monocyte count upon admission and after 4 weeks of treatment. HP levels and IL-1beta production were unchanged in all studied subjects. LIMITATIONS Medication of the patients varied. The differentiation between melancholic and non-melancholic depression was performed clinically and was not performed using any standardized instrument. CONCLUSION Melancholic and non-melancholic patients show different immune patterns. This differentiation might clarify immunological findings in MD and point towards etiological factors that are involved in the development of various subtypes of MD.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Rothermundt
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Westfaelische Wilhelms-University, Albert-Schweitzer-Strasse 11, D-48129 Muenster, Germany.
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Flentge F, van den Berg MD, Bouhuys AL, The HT. Increase of NK-T cells in aged depressed patients not treated with antidepressive drugs. Biol Psychiatry 2000; 48:1024-7. [PMID: 11082478 DOI: 10.1016/s0006-3223(00)00927-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A change in number and/or activity of natural killer cells has repeatedly been reported in depressive illness. Much less attention has yet been given to the subgroup of natural killer cells that are positive for the T-cell marker CD3 (NK-T cells). These cells possibly have important immunoregulatory properties. METHODS We compared number and percentage of NK-T cells (defined as CD3(+) and CD16(+) and/or CD56(+) by two-color flow cytometry) in the peripheral blood of control subjects and two groups of elderly depressive subjects using or not using antidepressive drugs. RESULTS The number and percentage of NK-T cells were strongly elevated in elderly depressive subjects not using antidepressive drugs, as compared with control subjects and elderly depressive subjects using antidepressive drugs. CONCLUSIONS Depressive illness in a geriatric population is associated with a substantial increase of NK-T cells. This increase was absent in a depressive group using antidepressive drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Flentge
- Department of Biological Psychiatry, University Hospital of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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Ravindran AV, Griffiths J, Merali Z, Anisman H. Circulating lymphocyte subsets in obsessive compulsive disorder, major depression and normal controls. J Affect Disord 1999; 52:1-10. [PMID: 10357012 DOI: 10.1016/s0165-0327(98)00072-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) shares several features with depressive illness (e.g., comorbidity, early escape from dexamethasone suppression, effectiveness of serotonergic pharmacotherapy). It was of interest to establish whether OCD, like major depression, was also associated with immune alterations, notably elevations of circulating natural killer (NK) cells. METHOD Circulating lymphocytes were determined from morning blood samples taken from OCD and major depressive patients, as well as from age- and sex-matched controls. Stress perception and coping styles were evaluated in order to assess whether such variables accompanied the NK alterations. Finally, in a subset of patients, symptoms of the illness, stress/coping, and circulating lymphocytes, were also evaluated following 12 weeks of antidepressant medication (serotonergic reuptake inhibitor). RESULTS The major depressive and OCD patients reported increased perception of day-to-day stresses, coupled with reliance on emotion focused coping styles. Moreover, circulating NK cells were elevated among male OCD and major depressive patients, whereas only a modest increase of NK cells was seen in female major depressives. Twelve weeks of medication alleviated depressive and OCD symptoms, and resulted in normalization of NK cells in the major depressives. However, in OCD patients the reduction of symptoms was not accompanied by significant variations of circulating NK cells. CONCLUSIONS Although major depression and OCD are both accompanied by elevated circulating NK cells, at least in males, normalization of NK cells following treatment was only evident in depression. The persistent elevations of NK cells among male OCD patients may reflect either a trait characteristic of the illness, or symptom reduction and not true remission. LIMITATIONS Although elevations of lymphocyte subsets in major depressive and OCD patients were observed, conclusions concerning immune status in OCD ought to be held in abeyance pending assessment of other indices of immune and cytokine functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- A V Ravindran
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Institute of Mental Health Research at the Royal Ottawa Hospital, Ontario, Canada
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Ravindran AV, Griffiths J, Merali Z, Anisman H. Circulating lymphocyte subsets in major depression and dysthymia with typical or atypical features. Psychosom Med 1998; 60:283-9. [PMID: 9625215 DOI: 10.1097/00006842-199805000-00013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Inconsistent results have been reported concerning circulating lymphocyte subsets in depression. To establish whether the immune alterations in depression could be related to neurovegetative symptoms, lymphocyte subsets were assessed in major depressive and dysthymic patients who exhibited either typical or atypical features (ie, the latter characterized by mood reactivity and reversed neurovegetative features). METHOD Blood was collected from major depressive, atypical depressive, typical dysthymic, or atypical dysthymic patients and from nondepressed control subjects. Circulating lymphocyte subsets (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19, CD16/CD56) were determined by flow cytometry. In a subset of patients, lymphocyte subsets were also determined after a 12-week course of antidepressant medication. RESULTS Although T and B cell populations did not differ between the depressive subtypes and control subjects, circulating natural killer (NK) cells were elevated in depressive illness, and varied as a function of depressive subtype and sex. Among male patients, NK cells were elevated to a greater extent in typical than in atypical depression, and more so in major depressive than in dysthymic patients. Among female patients, circulating NK cells were lower than in male patients, and only among the typical major depressive patients did NK cells exceed those of controls. Normalization of NK cells occurred with successful pharmacotherapy. CONCLUSIONS Depression may be associated with elevated levels of circulating NK cells. Although the neurovegetative features associated with depression, particularly altered eating, may have contributed to the elevated NK cells, depressive affect itself also contributed in this respect. However, the relative contributions of these factors varied between male and female patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- A V Ravindran
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Seidel A, Arolt V, Hunstiger M, Rink L, Behnisch A, Kirchner H. Major depressive disorder is associated with elevated monocyte counts. Acta Psychiatr Scand 1996; 94:198-204. [PMID: 8891088 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0447.1996.tb09849.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
One of the most consistently reported findings in depression has been leucocytosis. In 33 in-patients with major depressive disorder, we assessed white blood cell count (WBC) and lymphocyte subsets four times over a period of 6 weeks. The control group consisted of 44 healthy subjects. Shortly after admission, we detected significant increases in the numbers of leucocytes, granulocytes, platelets and monocytes in the depressed patients. Patients who recovered well during hospitalization showed a decrease in monocyte counts, whereas those with slower clinical improvement had significantly higher monocyte counts than the control group. This longitudinal study demonstrates that monocytes may play a role in the acute phase of depression and could provide an explanation for immunological dysfunction in depressive states.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Seidel
- Institute of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, University of Lübeck School of Medicine, Germany
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Ravindran AV, Griffiths J, Merali Z, Anisman H. Lymphocyte subsets associated with major depression and dysthymia: modification by antidepressant treatment. Psychosom Med 1995; 57:555-63. [PMID: 8600482 DOI: 10.1097/00006842-199511000-00008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Major depression and dysthymia (chronic, low grade depression) were associated with an increase in the number of CD16/56 (natural killer; NK) cells in blood, whereas other lymphocyte subsets (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19, and the CD4/CD8 ratio) did not differ from control subjects. After treatment with a specific serotonin reuptake inhibitor, the symptoms of depression were alleviated in both the major depressive and dysthymic patients. Likewise, NK cell numbers declined to control values in these treated groups. Among the major depressive patients, the NK cell number reached control values within 4 weeks, whereas 6 months of treatment was required for such an effect to be achieved in the dysthymic patients. Although plasma levels of epinephrine, norepinephrine, cortisol, and ACTH were not different between groups, among the major depressive patients ACTH was inversely correlated with total lymphocytes, CD3, and CD19, and epinephrine was directly related to the CD4 and CD4/CD8 ratio. Among dysthymics, ACTH was unrelated to any of the lymphocyte subsets, but norepinephrine was directly related to total lymphocytes, CD3, CD4, and NK cells. The data are interpreted in terms of stress perception among major depressive and dysthymic patients and the potential impact of stressor experiences on immune processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- A V Ravindran
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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