TNF-α在抑郁症中的作用和机制研究

Tumor necrosis factor-α and its role in depression

抑郁症是一种情感精神疾病,临床上以显著而持久的心境低落为主要特征。抑郁症严重危害人们身心健康,降低生活质量,增加社会负担。抑郁的产生原因比较复杂,发病机制存在多种假说。在过去的几十年,虽然对于抑郁症的研究取得了一定的进展,但其确切的病因及病理生理机制目前仍不明确。近期,研究显示,促炎性细胞因子,尤其是肿瘤坏死因子-α(tumor necrosis factor-α,TNF-α)在抑郁症的发生、发展及临床药理机制中扮演着重要角色。现通过对TNF-α的生物学特征、在抑郁症发病和抗抑郁治疗中的作用、基因多态性与抑郁症关联性以及未来的应用与展望等进行综述,以期从多方面阐明TNF-α在抑郁症中的作用。

Depression is a mental disorder characterized by a pervasive and persistent low mood in clinic, which is associated with disability and reduced quality of life, as well as a significant social burden. Due to the multifactorial etiology factors of depression, there is a variety of pathogenesis hypothesis. Up to now, however, the pathogensis of depression still remains poorly understood. Most recently, there is a great deal of evidence that the pro-inflammatory cytokines, specifically, tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） play a critical role in the development of depressive disorders and the mechanism of antidepressant treatment. In this paper, we focus on recent progress of the relationship between TNF-α and depressive disorders, and illustrate its biological characteristics, role in the pathophysiology, genetic susceptibility and future applications.