Stress-Induced Depressive Behaviors Require a Functional NLRP3 Inflammasome

IF 5.397International audienceDepression is a major public health concern in modern society, yet little is known about the molecular link between this condition and neuroinflammation. The inflammasome complex was recently shown to be implicated in depression. The present study shows the implication of NLRP3 inflammasome in animal model of stress-induced depression. Accordingly, we show here that in the absence of a NLRP3 inflammasome, prolonged stress does not provoke depressive behaviors or microglial activation in mice or dampen hippocampal neurogenesis. Indeed, NLRP3 deletion or inhibition of microglial activation impairs the stress-induced alterations associated with depression. According to these findings in animal model, the inflammasome could be a target for new therapeutic interventions to prevent depression in patients

Stress-induced depressive behaviors require a functional NLRP3 inflammasome

et al.Depression is a major public health concern in modern society, yet little is known about the molecular link between this condition and neuroinflammation. The inflammasome complex was recently shown to be implicated in depression. The present study shows the implication of NLRP3 inflammasome in animal model of stress-induced depression. Accordingly, we show here that in the absence of a NLRP3 inflammasome, prolonged stress does not provoke depressive behaviors or microglial activation in mice or dampen hippocampal neurogenesis. Indeed, NLRP3 deletion or inhibition of microglial activation impairs the stress-induced alterations associated with depression. According to these findings in animal model, the inflammasome could be a target for new therapeutic interventions to prevent depression in patients.This work has been supported by Grupo de Investigacion Junta de Andalucia CTS113, Consejería de Salud of the Junta de Andalucia (PI0036-2014), Fundación Ramón Areces, and the Departamento Gobernamental de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (DGICYT: BFU2008-01,552 and BFU2011-27,207).Peer Reviewe