The role of inflammation in depression: from evolutionary imperative to modern treatment target

Abstract

Crosstalk between inflammatory pathways and neurocircuits in the brain can lead to behavioural responses, such as avoidance and alarm, that are likely to have provided early humans with an evolutionary advantage in their interactions with pathogens and predators. However, in modern times, such interactions between inflammation and the brain appear to drive the development of depression and may contribute to non-responsiveness to current antidepressant therapies. Recent data have elucidated the mechanisms by which the innate and adaptive immune systems interact with neurotransmitters and neurocircuits to influence the risk for depression. Here, we detail our current understanding of these pathways and discuss the therapeutic potential of targeting the immune system to treat depression.

Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1. Evolutionary legacy of an inflammatory bias

Early evolutionary pressures derived from human interactions with pathogens, predators and human conspecifics (such as rivals) resulted in an inflammatory bias that included an integrated suite of immunological and behavioural responses that conserved energy for fighting infection and healing wounds, while maintaining vigilance against attack. This inflammatory bias is believed to have been held in check during much of human evolution by exposure to minimally pathogenic, tolerogenic organisms in traditional (that is, rural) environments that engendered immunological responses characterized by the induction of regulatory T (TReg) cells, regulatory B (BReg) cells and immunoregulatory M2 macrophages as well as the production of the anti-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-10 (IL-10) and transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ). In modern times, sanitized urban environments of more developed societies are rife with psychological challenges but generally lacking in the types of infectious challenges that were primary sources of morbidity and mortality across most of human evolution. In the absence of traditional immunological checks and balances, the psychological challenges of the modern world instigate ancestral immunological and behavioural repertoires that represent a decided liability, such as high rates of various inflammation-related disorders including depression.

Figure 2. Transmitting stress-induced inflammatory signals to the brain

In the context of psychosocial stress, catecholamines (such as noradrenaline) released by activated sympathetic nervous system fibres stimulate bone marrow production and the release of myeloid cells (for example, monocytes) that enter the periphery where they encounter stress-induced damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), bacteria and bacterial products such as microbial-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs) leaked from the gut. These DAMPs and MAMPs subsequently activate inflammatory signalling pathways such as nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and the NOD-, LRR- and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. Stimulation of NLRP3 in turn activates caspase 1, which leads to the production of mature interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-18 while also cleaving the glucocorticoid receptor contributing to glucocorticoid resistance. Activation of NF-κB stimulates the release of other pro-inflammatory cytokines including tumour necrosis factor (TNF) and IL-6, which together with IL-1β and IL-18 can access the brain through humoral and neural routes. Psychosocial stress can also lead to the activation of microglia to a M1 pro-inflammatory phenotype, which release CC-chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) that in turn attracts activated myeloid cells to the brain via a cellular route. Once in the brain, activated macrophages can perpetuate central inflammatory responses. ASC, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD; HMGB1, high mobility group box 1; HSP, heat shock protein; LPS, lipopolysaccharide; TLR, Toll-like receptor.

Figure 3. Cytokine targets in the brain: neurotransmitters and neurocircuits

Once in the brain, the inflammatory response can affect metabolic and molecular pathways influencing neurotransmitter systems that can ultimately affect neurocircuits that regulate behaviour, especially behaviours relevant to decreased motivation (anhedonia), avoidance and alarm (anxiety), which characterize several neuropsychiatric disorders including depression. On a molecular level, pro-inflammatory cytokines including type I and II interferons (IFNs), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF) can reduce the availability of monoamines — serotonin (5-HT), dopamine (DA) and noradrenaline (NE) — by increasing the expression and function of the presynaptic reuptake pumps (transporters) for 5-HT, DA and NE through activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways and by reducing monoamine synthesis through decreasing enzymatic co-factors such as tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), which is highly sensitive to cytokine-induced oxidative stress and is involved in the production of nitric oxide (NO) by NO synthase (NOS). Many cytokines, including IFNγ, IL-1β and TNF, can also decrease relevant monoamine precursors by activating the enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), which breaks down tryptophan, the primary precursor for serotonin, into kynurenine. Activated microglia can convert kynurenine into quinolinic acid (QUIN), which binds to the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR), a glutamate (Glu) receptor, and together with cytokine-induced reduction in astrocytic Glu reuptake and stimulation of astrocyte Glu release, in part by induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS), can lead to excessive Glu, an excitatory amino acid neurotransmitter. Excessive Glu, especially when binding to extrasynaptic NMDARs, can in turn lead to decreased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and excitotoxicity. Inflammation effects on growth factors such as BDNF in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus can also affect fundamental aspects of neuronal integrity including neurogenesis, long-term potentiation and dendritic sprouting, ultimately affecting learning and memory. Cytokine effects on neurotransmitter systems, especially DA, can inhibit several aspects of reward motivation and anhedonia in corticostriatal circuits involving the basal ganglia, ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) and subgenual and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (sgACC and dACC, respectively), while also activating circuits regulating anxiety, arousal, alarm and fear including the amygdala, hippocampus, dACC and insula. BH2, dihydrobiopterin; DAT, dopamine transporter; EAAT2, excitatory amino acid transporter 2; NET, noradrenaline transporter; NF-κB, nuclear factor-κB; SERT, serotonin transporter; TH, tyrosine hydroxylase; TPH, tryptophan hydroxylase. Copyrighted 2015. Advanstar. 120580:1115BN.