Neuroimmune crosstalk through brain-derived neurotrophic factor and its precursor pro-BDNF: New insights into mood disorders

Mood disorders are the most common mental disorders, affecting approximately350 million people globally. Recent studies have shown that neuroimmuneinteraction regulates mood disorders. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)and its precursor pro-BDNF, are involved in the neuroimmune crosstalk duringthe development of mood disorders. BDNF is implicated in the pathophysiologyof psychiatric and neurological disorders especially in antidepressant pharmacotherapy.In this review, we describe the functions of BDNF/pro-BDNF signalingin the central nervous system in the context of mood disorders. In addition, wesummarize the developments for BDNF and pro-BDNF functions in mooddisorders. This review aims to provide new insights into the impact ofneuroimmune interaction on mood disorders and reveal a new basis for furtherdevelopment of diagnostic targets and mood disorders.