Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maja Jazvinscak Jembrek, Nada Orsolic, Dalibor Karlovic, Vjekoslav Peitl
Summary: Major depressive disorder is a common mental illness that severely impacts quality of life. In addition to altered monoamine neurotransmission, other neuropathological mechanisms have been identified, including oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, hippocampal atrophy, reduced synaptic plasticity and neurogenesis, depletion of neurotrophic factors, and dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Flavonols, a class of flavonoids in the human diet, have shown potential as antidepressant agents due to their antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects, ability to restore HPA axis control, promote neurogenesis, and alleviate depressive-like behavior. However, further studies are needed to evaluate their clinical potential.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Anqi Kong, Tianyao Liu, Shilong Deng, Shiyao Xu, Yi Luo, Jianghui Li, Zhulin Du, Liuyongwei Wang, Xingshun Xu, Xiaotang Fan
Summary: Depression is a common mental disease and is highly prevalent in populations. Dysregulated neuroinflammation and concomitant-activated microglia are involved in the pathogenesis of depression. Experimental evidence has indicated that fullerenol exerts anti-neuroinflammation and protective effects against neurological diseases. Here, we evaluated fullerenol's effects against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced mouse depressive-like behaviors.
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Yanfang Chen, Peng Cao
Summary: This study showed that circ-Bnc2 inhibits neuroinflammation and neuron cell apoptosis by regulating the miR-497a-5p/HECTD1 axis, indicating that circ-Bnc2 may be a potential target for depression treatment.
BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Weifen Li, Tahir Ali, Kaiwu He, Zizhen Liu, Fawad Ali Shah, Qingguo Ren, Yan Liu, Anlong Jiang, Shupeng Li
Summary: The study demonstrated that ibrutinib has potential anti-depressive effects by reducing neuroinflammation and synaptic defects in a mouse model of LPS-induced depression. Ibrutinib treatment inhibited NF-kB activation and proinflammatory cytokine levels, and improved synaptic markers in the hippocampus, suggesting its antidepressant potential against inflammation-induced depression.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Yang Xu, Wei Li, Mengmeng Shi, Xiaofan Xu, Dongmin Guo, Zhenghai Liu, Ling Chen, Xiaolin Zhong, Wenyu Cao
Summary: Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) mediates depression-like behaviors by modulating microglia function in the hippocampus. The antidepressant effect of GnRH depends on hippocampal GnRHR signaling, and peripheral GnRH treatment prevents microglia-mediated inflammation in the hippocampus. These findings provide insights into the function and cross-talk of GnRH in neuro-immune response.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ying Tang, Mengchun Zhou, Rongrong Huang, Ling Shen, Li Yang, Zhongqiu Zhou, Hui Ren, Ying Bai
Summary: The study demonstrates that HECTD1 is upregulated in primary mouse astrocytes after LPS treatment. Knockdown of HECTD1 inhibits LPS-induced astrocyte activation in vitro and in vivo, while overexpression of HECTD1 promotes LPS-induced astrocyte activation.
CELL AND BIOSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Psychiatry
Jie Sun, Lili Qiu, Hui Zhang, Zhiqiang Zhou, Lingsha Ju, Jiaojiao Yang
Summary: We investigated the role of CRHR1 and nectin3 in LPS-induced depression-like behavior in mice. The results showed that the CRHR1 antagonist alleviated LPS-induced depressive behavior and inhibited the changes in CRHR1, nectin3, and calbindin levels in the hippocampus. Furthermore, it reduced the increase in CORT levels in LPS-treated mice.
Article
Immunology
Weifen Li, Tahir Ali, Chengyou Zheng, Zizhen Liu, Kaiwu He, Fawad Ali Shah, Qingguo Ren, Shafiq Ur Rahman, Ningning Li, Zhi-Jian Yu, Shupeng Li
Summary: The study examined the involvement of HDAC1 and eEF2 in the antidepressant mechanisms of fluoxetine, showing that fluoxetine can alleviate LPS-induced depressive-like behaviors and neuroinflammation, while the HDAC1 activator Exifone reversed the antidepressant and anti-inflammatory effects of fluoxetine.
JOURNAL OF NEUROINFLAMMATION
(2021)
Review
Neurosciences
Julia N. Khantakova, Natalia P. Bondar, Elena V. Antontseva, Vasiliy V. Reshetnikov
Summary: Adverse factors during the neonatal period can affect the development of certain brain structures, leading to reduced cognitive abilities and increased risk of psychopathologies throughout an individual's lifespan. Neonatal immune activation-induced neuroinflammation may cause disturbances in neurotransmission, reprogramming of brain cells, and changes in stress reactivity, ultimately resulting in depressive-like behavior in adult males under aversive conditions with local inflammation.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Lin Zhou, Tian Wang, Yawen Yu, Mingan Li, Xiaohui Sun, Wenhao Song, Yunjie Wang, Ce Zhang, Fenghua Fu
Summary: Approximately one in three ischemic stroke survivors suffer from post-stroke depression (PSD), which affects functional rehabilitation and quality of life. This study focuses on the stroke-induced hyperactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and its role in PSD. The review summarizes possible etiologies of PSD, including stress and proinflammatory cytokines release, and discusses the effects of HPA axis hyperactivity on specific brain structures, enzymes expression, excitotoxicity, intestinal permeability, microglial activation, neuroendocrine regulation, inflammation, and therapy options.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Bojian Ye, Dewei He, Jinping Hu, Shuo Yang, Xiyu Gao, Mingchi Cui, Zhe Li, Hefei Wang, Bingxu Huang, Shoupeng Fu, Dianfeng Liu
Summary: Accumulating research has shown that excessive activation of microglia can lead to neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative diseases. This study investigated the effects of a compound called notopterol (NOT) on neuroinflammation and its underlying mechanisms. The findings demonstrated that NOT reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators in cells exposed to LPS and activated the AKT/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway. The anti-inflammatory effect of NOT was inhibited by specific inhibitors of AKT, Nrf2, and HO-1. Furthermore, NOT was able to protect BV-2 cells from LPS-induced damage and increase their survival rate. These results suggest that NOT inhibits the inflammatory response and exerts a neuroprotective effect by modulating the AKT/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling axis in microglia.
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Jing Zhang, Bing Xue, Bin Jing, Huiling Tian, Naiwen Zhang, Mengyuan Li, Lihua Lu, Lin Chen, Huaqiong Diao, Yufei Chen, Min Wang, Xiaoli Li
Summary: This study found that consecutive intraperitoneal injection of LPS can induce a rat model of Parkinson's disease with depression-like symptoms. It activates microglia, releases inflammatory cytokines, reduces intrinsic activities in the hippocampus, destroys the integrity of white matter fibers, and induces anhedonia and behavioral despair.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Dongming Guo, Yang Xu, Zhenghai Liu, Yingge Wang, Xiaofan Xu, Cai Li, Suyun Li, Jingwen Zhang, Tianqing Xiong, WenYu Cao, Jingyan Liang
Summary: The role of IGF2 in modulating microglia response to neuroinflammation and its potential therapeutic effects on neuropsychiatric disorders are investigated in this study. The results showed that systemic administration of IGF2 could inhibit microglia over-activation and prevent their transformation to a pro-inflammatory phenotype, thus protecting hippocampal neurogenesis. These findings may contribute to the development of innovative therapy for neuropsychiatric disorders.
BRAIN RESEARCH BULLETIN
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Riccardo De Marco, Itamar Ronen, Francesca Branzoli, Marisa L. Amato, Iris Asllani, Alessandro Colasanti, Neil A. Harrison, Mara Cercignani
Summary: This study demonstrated that DW-MRS may be a powerful tool sensitive to glial cytomorphological changes induced by systemic inflammation. The ADC of the glial metabolite choline was found to significantly increase after LPS administration, with changes in mood ratings.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2022)
Review
Plant Sciences
Zhiqiang Xie, Hongxiao Xie, Xi Peng, Jingwen Hu, Li Chen, Xiangyu Li, Hu Qi, Jiuseng Zeng, Nan Zeng
Summary: This study summarizes clinical and preclinical research on the antidepressant-like effects of Danzhi Xiaoyao San (DXS) and its active ingredients. DXS has been found to have therapeutic effects on depression patients with few side effects. It is believed that DXS and its active ingredients modulate monoamine neurotransmitter levels, inhibit hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis hyperfunction, reduce neuroinflammation, and increase neurotrophic factors, thereby exerting neuroprotective antidepressant-like effects.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ruoyu Mu, Yuhan Zhang, Lingli Yan, Zhencheng Liao, Yushun Yang, Huanxing Su, Lei Dong, Chunming Wang
Summary: This study introduces a glycan material mimicking fungal action to support endothelial cell adhesion, promote blood perfusion, and exhibit high safety potential for vascular therapy.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2021)
Review
Neurosciences
Cheong-Meng Chong, Zhangfeng Zhong, Chi Teng Vong, Shengpeng Wang, Jin-Jian Lu, Hai-Jing Zhong, Huanxing Su, Yitao Wang
Summary: Uncariae Ramulus Cum Uncis (UR) has shown potential in reducing CGRP signaling and improving headaches in migraine patients. Both clinical studies and in vivo studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of UR extracts.
CURRENT NEUROPHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Pan-Yen Lin, Chin Cheng, Senthil Kumaran Satyanarayanan, Lu-Ting Chiu, Yu-Chuan Chien, Chih-Pin Chuu, Tsuo-Hung Lan, Kuan-Pin Su
Summary: The study found that n-3 PUFAs supplements did not significantly reduce cognitive, functional, and depressive symptoms outcomes in Alzheimer's disease patients, but showed improvements in spoken language ability and constructional praxis scores. Attention to clinical heterogeneity in dementia is crucial, and CCL4 may be a better indicator for EPA treatment response compared to other inflammatory cytokines.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Congling Qiu, Chanchan Xiao, Zhigang Wang, Guodong Zhu, Lipeng Mao, Xiongfei Chen, Lijuan Gao, Jieping Deng, Jun Su, Huanxing Su, Evandro Fei Fang, Zhang-Jin Zhang, Jikai Zhang, Caojun Xie, Jun Yuan, Oscar Junhong Luo, Lian Huang, Pengcheng Wang, Guobing Chen
Summary: In this study, specific HLA-A2-restricted T-cell epitopes in the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 were identified and characterized for their ability to activate T cells. The variations of these epitopes were found to impact the immune response, causing deficiency in HLA-A*02:01 binding and T-cell activation. This suggests the need for the formation of a new CD8(+) T-cell immune response.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Jing Sun, Yuhe Zhang, Yu Kong, Tao Ye, Qingxia Yu, Senthil Kumaran Satyanarayanan, Kuan-Pin Su, Jiaming Liu
Summary: Alterations in gut microbiota may impact the development of Alzheimer's disease through the production of microbiota-derived metabolites. In this study, it was found that indoles produced by bacteria in the gut regulated neuroinflammation in AD by activating the AhR pathway, reducing inflammatory response, and potentially offering a new approach for AD treatment.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Immunology
Senthil Kumaran Satyanarayanan, Huanxing Su, Hi-Joon Park, Kuan-Pin Su
Summary: Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI), a burgeoning concept in recent years, holds potential for effective treatments of mental health disorders. Traditional and alternative therapies have gained momentum due to unmet needs and treatment failures in modern pharmacological approaches, specifically targeting mental disorders. This Special Issue focuses on introducing recent advances in traditional and alternative medications in East Asia at the interface of immunology, neurosciences, molecular psychiatry, and behavioral medicine neurosciences.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Po-Han Chou, Cheng-Hao Tu, Chun-Ming Chen, Ming-Kuei Lu, Chon-Haw Tsai, Wan-Ting Hsieh, Hui-Chen Lai, Senthil Kumaran Satyanarayanan, Kuan-Pin Su
Summary: The aim of this study was to investigate the antidepressant efficacy of bilateral theta-burst stimulation (biTBS) in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and its effects on brain responses measured by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during emotional processing. The results showed that the biTBS group had significantly decreased depression scores at week 8, and this difference persisted during the 24-week follow-up period. At week 4, patients in the biTBS group exhibited increased brain activities over the left superior and middle frontal gyrus during negative emotional stimuli.
PSYCHIATRY AND CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Ke Zhang, Miaodan Huang, Ang Li, Jing Wen, Lingli Yan, Yunhao Li, Liman Guo, Kumaran Satyanarayanan Senthil, Yangyang Zhou, Guobing Chen, Yong Liu, Xiaofei Zhang, Xiaoli Yao, Dajiang Qin, Huanxing Su
Summary: In this study, DIAPH3 is identified as a scaffold protein that initiates liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) and forms cytosolic phase-separated DIAPH3 granules (D-granules) in response to stress. These D-granules sequester DIAPH3 and inhibit actin filament assembly in filopodia, serving as a regulatory hub for actin cytoskeletal remodeling during stress.
Article
Immunology
Hsien-Yin Liao, Senthil Kumaran Satyanarayanan, Yi-Wen Lin, Kuan-Pin Su
Summary: This study investigated the specific efficacy and immune effects of acupuncture on pain and depression in patients with comorbid chronic pain and major depressive disorder (MDD). The results showed that specific acupoints for pain did not show greater efficacy than depression-specific acupoints, and pain-specific acupoints even improved depression symptoms better. The study suggests that pain and depression may share common biological mechanisms.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2023)
Review
Neurosciences
Liu Shu-Tsen, Lin Sheng-Che, Chang Jane Pei-Chen, Yang Kai-Jie, Chu Che-Sheng, Yang Chia-Chun, Liang Chih-Sung, Sun Ching-Fang, Wang Shao-Cheng, Senthil Kumaran Satyanarayanan, Su Kuan-Pin
Summary: There is growing evidence that COVID-19 is associated with increased risks of psychiatric sequelae, including depression, anxiety, cognitive impairments, sleep disturbance, and fatigue. This review provides timely updates on clinical research findings and identifies potential key targets for developing effective treatment strategies for long COVID. Additionally, the Formosa Long COVID Multicenter Study (FOCuS) applies the inflammation theory to the pathogenesis and treatment of post-COVID depression and anxiety.
CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Halliru Zailani, Senthil Kumaran Satyanarayanan, Wei-Chih Liao, Hsien-Feng Liao, Shih-Yi Huang, Piotr Galecki, Kuan-Pin Su, Jane Pei-Chen Chang
Summary: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of death globally, particularly in individuals over 40 years old. Mood disorders are frequently comorbid with COPD, but often overlooked or undiagnosed, leading to poor treatment outcomes and increased mortality. The exact link between COPD and mood disorders is still uncertain, but it is believed that inflammation in the lungs, blood, and brain may contribute to the development of mood disorders in COPD. Antidepressants are commonly used to manage mood disorders in COPD, but their efficacy is limited due to tolerability issues. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs), which regulate inflammatory responses, may offer promising alternatives for managing mood disorders in COPD.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Halliru Zailani, Senthil Kumaran Satyanarayanan, Wei-Chih Liao, Yi-Ting Hsu, Shih-Yi Huang, Piotr Galecki, Kuan-Pin Su, Jane Pei-Chen Chang
Summary: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common lung disease that is associated with pulmonary inflammation and cognitive impairment. The exact mechanisms of cognitive impairment in COPD patients are still unclear, but hypoxia, oxidative stress, systemic inflammation, and cerebral manifestations of these conditions are believed to play crucial roles. Current medications for cognitive impairment in COPD patients may have life-threatening adverse effects, indicating the need for alternative medications. This review discusses the potential role of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3 PUFAs) in improving cognitive deficits in COPD patients and highlights the importance of clinical studies to evaluate the efficacy of omega-3 PUFAs in managing cognitive impairment in COPD patients.
Editorial Material
Medicine, General & Internal
Senthil Kumaran Satyanarayanan, Zisis Kozlakidis
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Emergency Medicine
Zi-Ai Zhao, Lingli Yan, Jing Wen, Senthil Kumaran Satyanarayanan, Feng Yu, Jiahong Lu, Yong U. Liu, Huanxing Su
Summary: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) disrupts normal brain function and can have serious consequences. Blood vessels are often damaged in TBI, leading to impaired cerebral vascular repair, which can result in prolonged symptoms and poor outcomes. Understanding the cellular response and function in vascular repair after TBI is crucial for developing new therapeutic strategies. This review discusses the mechanisms of cerebrovascular impairment following TBI and the role of different cell types in vascular repair, as well as potential treatment techniques targeting these cells.
Article
Cell Biology
Oscar Junhong Luo, Wen Lei, Guodong Zhu, Zhiyao Ren, Yudai Xu, Chanchan Xiao, Hongyi Zhang, Junxiang Cai, Zhiping Luo, Lijuan Gao, Jun Su, Lei Tang, Wei Guo, Huanxing Su, Zhang-Jin Zhang, Evandro Fei Fang, Yijun Ruan, Sean Xiao Leng, Zhenyu Ju, Huiling Lou, Junling Gao, Nan Peng, Jie Chen, Zhijun Bao, Feng Liu, Guobing Chen
Summary: This study used single-cell RNA and TCR sequencing to analyze immune cells from different age groups and found that immune cells in frail older adults have distinct characteristics compared to healthy older adults and young individuals. The study identified transcription factors, clonotypes, and long noncoding RNAs associated with frailty.
