The immunological perspective of major depressive disorder: unveiling the interactions between central and peripheral immune mechanisms

Major depressive disorder is a prevalent mental disorder, yet its pathogenesis remains poorly understood. Accumulating evidence implicates dysregulated immune mechanisms as key contributors to depressive disorders. This review elucidates the complex interplay between peripheral and central immune components underlying depressive disorder pathology. Peripherally, systemic inflammation, gut immune dysregulation, and immune dysfunction in organs including gut, liver, spleen and adipose tissue influence brain function through neural and molecular pathways. Within the central nervous system, aberrant microglial and astrocytes activation, cytokine imbalances, and compromised blood-brain barrier integrity propagate…

• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Awards: 82200616, 82204655
• GM
  Guangdong Medical Research Foundation

  Award: A2022047
• TC
  Traditional Chinese Medicine Bureau of Guangdong Province

  Award: 20231082