Cell signalling in CNS and immune system in depression and during antidepressant treatment: focus on glial and natural killer cells

0341156 - ÚŽFG 2010 RIV SE eng J - Journal Article
Kovářu, H. - Páv, M. - Kovářů, František - Raboch, J. - Fišerová, Anna
Cell signalling in CNS and immune system in depression and during antidepressant treatment: focus on glial and natural killer cells.
Neuroendocrinology Letters. Roč. 30, č. 4 (2009), s. 421-428. ISSN 0172-780X. E-ISSN 2354-4716
R&D Projects: GA AV ČR IAA601680801
Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z50450515; CEZ:AV0Z50200510
Keywords : astrocyte * cAMP * depression
Subject RIV: ED - Physiology
Impact factor: 1.047, year: 2009

There is a considerable evidence that inflammatory response and immune system changes are the part of depression. Components of cellular immune system natural killer cells, important effectors of immune surveillance, are sensitive to stress response, and their functions are compromised in depressive subjects. Many lines of evidence also point to the loss of both neuronal and glial plasticity and neurotrophic factor support under chronic stress or in depression. There is an increasing knowledge of the role of astrocytic cells in neuroplastic processes and neurotransmitter metabolism. Alterations in the glial populations are observed in major depressive subjects. Antidepressant treatment is modulating glial signalization cascades, increasing production of neurotrophic molecules, supporting neuroplasticity processes, and also modulating functions of natural killers. At the level of membrane signalling, antidepressants show a direct influence upon G alpha subunit levels in both immune system and CNS. These findings support the view that antidepressants influence activity of natural killer and astrocytic populations, and this could be of importance in the depression etiopathogenesis and/or treatment.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0184231