Background
Depressive behavior in animals is often associated with reduced levels of brain-derived
neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and impaired neurogenesis in the hippocampus. Recent studies
showed that T cells recognizing central nervous system (CNS)-specific antigens can
regulate adult hippocampal neurogenesis and expression of BDNF. On the basis of these
findings, we hypothesized that controlling CNS specific immune activity by immunization
with a myelin-related peptide may have an antidepressant effect.
Methods
We investigated the impact of immunization with a CNS related peptide, on the behavioral
and cellular outcomes of chronic mild stress (CMS; an animal model for depression)
in rats.
Results
Immunization with a weak agonist of a myelin-derived peptide ameliorated depressive
behavior such as anhedonia (measured by sucrose preference), induced by CMS in rats.
The behavioral outcome was accompanied by restoration of hippocampal BDNF levels and
neurogenesis.
Conclusions
The results of this study introduce a novel approach of immunization with CNS-related
antigens as a therapeutic means for fighting depression. Vaccination, as an antidepressant
therapy, may invoke several molecular and cellular pathways that are known to be regulated
by antidepressant drugs. Therefore, we suggest that immune-based therapies should
be considered for treatment of depression.
Key Words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: August 26, 2008
Accepted:
July 11,
2008
Received in revised form:
July 7,
2008
Received:
December 10,
2007
Footnotes
GML and AW-Y contributed equally to this work.
Identification
Copyright
© 2009 Society of Biological Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
