脑神经血管单元功能异常与抑郁症

Dysfunction of brain neurovascular unit and depression

神经血管单元(NVU)是由神经元、星形胶质细胞和小胶质细胞等多种成员组成的动态功能模块,NVU的各成员与抑郁症的关系提示NVU的功能紊乱参与多种神经精神疾病的发生发展。神经炎症是抑郁症的重要致病因素,而NVU的功能失调与神经炎症的发生密切相关,可见NVU可能与抑郁症之间存在相关性,而两者的关系如何互相影响对抑郁症的发病机制研究有着显著的意义。本文以NVU为切入点,阐述其在抑郁症发生发展过程中的神经炎症分子调控机制,为抑郁症机制的深入研究提供理论支持。

The neurovascular unit（NVU）is a dynamic functional module,which is composed of neurons,astrocytes,microglia and other components. The disturbance of NVU can cause some neurological and psychological diseases. Neuro-inflammation has been regarded as one of the causes of depression and associated with neurovascular dysfunction in recent years. The dysfunction of NVU is closely related to depression. It is important to investigate the interactions between NVU and depression. This review is intended to elaborate the role of NVU in development and formation of depression and the underlying neuro-inflammation molecular mechanisms,which will contribute to further studies.