星形胶质细胞在抑郁症发病机制中的研究进展

Role of astrocytes in pathogenesis of depression:research progress

星形胶质细胞是中枢神经系统数量最多、分布最广的非神经元细胞。一般认为该类细胞主要起支持、营养、修复、隔离、绝缘、参与血脑屏障形成等作用。随着对星形胶质细胞在大脑中功能研究的深入,目前对星形胶质细胞在抑郁症发病中的认识越来越清晰。研究发现重度抑郁症患者脑中星形胶质细胞的形态和功能均有明显改变。动物实验研究发现,仅胶质纤维酸性蛋白阳性细胞丢失足以诱导大鼠出现抑郁样行为。本文就星形胶质细胞在抑郁症发病机制中的作用进行综述。

Astrocytes are the most widely distributed non neuronal cells in the central nervous system,and they play essential roles in maintaining efficient neurotransmission through supply of energy metabolites,turnover of neurotransmitters,and blood brain barrier formation.Currently,the understanding of astrocytes in the pathogenesis of depression is becoming clearer with the study of astrocyte function in the brain.Studies have shown that the morphology and function of astrocytes are significantly changed in patients with major depressive disorder,and animal experimental studies have shown that the loss of glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP)positive cells can induce depression in rats.In this paper,we reviewed the role of astrocytes in the pathogenesis of depression.